Bektashi State to be established in Europe

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced yesterday that a “sovereign state similar to the Vatican” will be established in the capital, Tirana, for the Bektashi order. It is stated that this state will be implemented to promote interfaith tolerance.

A STRUCTURE SIMILAR TO THE VATICAN MODEL

In his remarks on the 95th anniversary of the relocation of the Bektashi order's holy seat to Albania, Rama stated, "It is a strong call that the holy seat of the Bektashi World Center should be granted a status similar to the Vatican."

A SPIRITUAL STATE: WITHOUT AN ARMY, POLICE, OR TAXES

It was emphasized that the symbolic state to be established will be a "spiritual entity without walls, an army, police, or taxes." Rama noted that this state "will be one of the smallest in the world and will not pose a threat to Albania's sovereignty." He did not provide clear information regarding the timing and details, adding that the plan must be approved by the Albanian parliament.

HISTORY OF THE BEKTASHI ORDER

Rama stated that the Bektashi order is spread across regions such as Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, and that efforts were initiated last year to establish a spiritual center in eastern Albania. The Bektashi order was founded in the Ottoman Empire in the 13th century as a Sufi branch and has been operating in Albania since 1929.