Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama plans a Muslim mini-state in Tirana. The Bektashi order supports the idea, aiming to promote religious tolerance and peace.
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Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced an unexpected plan to establish a small Muslim state within Albania. He wants it to follow the model of the Vatican. This mini-state would be located in Albania's capital city, Tirana, and run by the Muslim Bektashi order.
Rama shared his idea on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) on Wednesday. He explained that it will take a long time before the plan can actually happen. This is because it will need changes in Albania's laws. Many people in Albania were surprised by this news, as it was not something they were expecting.
The Prime Minister first mentioned this idea on Sunday during the United Nations Future Summit in New York. It came as a complete surprise to most Albanians. However, the leader of the Bektashi order in Tirana, Edmond Brahimaj, is excited about the proposal. He called it an "excellent initiative" and believes it will bring a new time of religious tolerance and peace to the country.
What Is the Bektashi Mini-State?
The proposed mini-state would be built on around 10 hectares of land in Tirana. This is where the World Centre of the Bektashi order is currently located. The Bektashi "Vatican" would have its own borders, government, and even passports, just like the Vatican in Italy. This unique idea aims to give the Bektashi order, a Sunni Dervish Muslim group, more independence.
The Bektashi order was founded in the 13th century and was once very common in the Ottoman Empire. After it was banned by Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, in 1925, the Bektashi order moved its headquarters to Albania.
Albania's Religious Landscape
In modern Albania, about half of the population is Muslim. Of these, around 10% belong to the Bektashi order. The rest of the population identifies as Roman Catholic or Orthodox Christian, according to the most recent census from 2023.
Albania has a complex history with religion. During the communist era, religion was completely banned. People could not practice their faith openly, and many religious sites were destroyed or repurposed.
Support from the Bektashi Leader
Edmond Brahimaj, the current leader of the Bektashi order, is a former officer in the Albanian army. He served from 1982 until the fall of the communist regime.
Brahimaj has expressed strong support for Prime Minister Rama's plan. He believes the Bektashi mini-state could help promote peace and unity not only in Albania but also in the wider world.
The creation of this mini-state will require many legal changes and careful planning. Although it may take time to bring this idea to life, it is already sparking conversations about religious tolerance and the future of Albania.
