September 24th 2024.
Meet Haji Edmond Brahimaj Mondi, the respected leader of the Bektashi Muslims, an order of Islamic Sufi believers. Exciting news has recently emerged that this spiritual group will soon have their own microstate in the bustling capital city of Albania.
Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania has expressed his plans to establish a sovereign state for the Bektashi Order, with the intention of promoting values such as moderation, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. While Albania is home to a large Muslim population, only 10% of them identify as Bektashi. If this microstate comes to fruition, it would be comparable to the Vatican in size and significance.
The Bektashi Order would have the autonomy to govern their own religious and administrative affairs, free from any involvement from Albania. In a statement, the Order declared that this historic step aims to officially recognize their spiritual leadership and commitment to cultivating a culture of moderation and spiritual engagement. They envision the microstate solely devoted to their spiritual mission.
The proposed location for this Vatican-like city state is in Tirana, where the Bektashi Order has been headquartered since the 1930s. But what exactly is the Bektashi Order? This mystical order traces its roots back to the 13th century Ottoman Empire and has since spread to include members in Turkey and across the Balkans. Today, there are an estimated 20 million Bektashis worldwide.
So how would this proposed microstate operate? Prime Minister Edi Rama made the announcement earlier this month, and if it moves forward, it is likely to be led by a theocratic system, similar to that of the Vatican. In the Vatican, the Pope serves as both the leader of the state and the government. Similarly, in Albania, the Bektashi microstate would likely be governed by their own leader, Haji Edmond Brahimaj Mondi, affectionately known as Baba Mondi.
Baba Mondi shared his thoughts on the proposed microstate, stating that for the Bektashi community, this is not about acquiring political power or land, but rather solidifying their mission of spiritual moderation and preserving their religious practices. He also praised the Albanian government, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Edi Rama, for recognizing the importance of granting them the space to continue promoting peace. For the Bektashi community worldwide, this is a moment of pride and renewal, strengthening their identity and presence on the global stage.
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