In a statement to the media from the Bektashi Headquarters, Zampolli spoke about relations between Albania and the United States, bilateral cooperation, as well as the project for the creation of a sovereign Bektashi state in the capital.

Asked about the creation of the Bektashi State, the US envoy said that he had heard the proposal from both PM Rama and Dedebaba Mondi.

He stressed that the decision is up to the Albanian people and that the international community must respect it.

“I have heard the prime minister speak, I have heard His Holiness speak. Ultimately, the people decide or will decide,” Zampolli stated, adding that if the Albanian people wants such a development, then according to him “this is a good thing.” /p.s./

The jubilee conference also marks the commemoration of three important moments in the history of the Bektashi World Headquarters: the 35th anniversary of its re-establishment, the 15th anniversary of the leadership by Dedebaba Mondi and the 11th anniversary of the inauguration of the Odeon cultural complex.

In his speech, Baba Mondi said that, “This is a sacred ceremony and a special day for us Bektashis, who are keeping alive the light of Haxhi Bektashi, the light of our ancestors, who have tried to lead us with love, peace and kindness”.

He expressed gratitude to all participants in this anniversary, highlighting the cooperation with the Bektashi communities and representatives from Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, the USA and the diaspora.

Referring to the re-establishment of the Patriarchate on March 22, 1991, Baba Mondi praised the contribution of Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi, who led the process of re-establishing the institution after decades of prohibition of religious activity.

Dedebaba Mondi also highlighted the principles of Bektashism, respect of every person, regardless of religion, region, idea, color or race.

“On this 35th anniversary, we also have cooperation with several religious communities, with whom we jointly try to face the difficulties of this temporary world”, he said.

According to Dedebaba Mondi, in a world facing numerous challenges, the mission of religious communities is to convey messages of love, peace, rapprochement and understanding between people.

“Our work is difficult, because it is the work of people who want love, peace, rapprochement with each other, for our families to be healthy and for our new generation to grow with love, kindness, knowledge and everything good that belongs to man”, he said.

Dedebaba Mondi also praised the role of religious communities in protecting the family and Albanian youth, emphasizing the significance of cooperation in function of society.

“We convey messages of kindness, love, generosity, so to always be there for the people in need”, said Baba Mondi.

Dedebaba Mondi also thanked the ambassadors, representatives of religious communities, believers and the diaspora for participating in this anniversary, conveying a message for more love, brotherhood and respect among people.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a view of the festive atmosphere on the peak of Mount Tomor, describing this place as a space where faith, tradition and spiritual symbolism have been intertwined for generations.

“A holy place, where faith, tradition and light have become one for generations,” Rama said.

The days of pilgrimage on the peak of Mount Tomor are considered holy days for Bektashi believers and every year they gather thousands of pilgrims from Albania, the Diaspora and different countries of the world.

Believers set up their tents in this area, perform traditional holiday rituals and climb on foot to the top of Mount Tomor.

Mount Tomor has a special significance for the Bektashi community. According to tradition, this mountain is home to the tomb of Abaz Ali, an important figure of the Bektashi faith and part of the Albanian spiritual and cultural tradition.

The pilgrimage to Tomor has become over the years an event that combines the religious dimension with tradition and cultural heritage, attracting thousands of visitors every year. /gj.m/ /a.g/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media today footage from this celebration, which has now become one of the most important spiritual and cultural events in the area.

“Mount Tomor opens its arms this week to Bektashi believers and global visitors for the Kulmak Festival, a cherished celebration of faith, heritage, and unity in Albania,” wrote Rama.

Kulmak Festival on Mount Tomor unites thousands of pilgrims and visitors in prayer and reflection. For Bektashi believers, this annual gathering at the Kulmak Tekke is a sacred time for spiritual unity. Blending religious devotion with ancient traditions, the celebration highlights Mount Tomor as one of Albania’s most vital heritage sites.

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In a reaction on the X social network, Rama said that the opponents do not provide even a single idea about the history and role of the Bektashi people in the destiny of the nation and our state.

Rama said that, “It is high time for this idea to be materialized and that the need for this step is not only in full harmony with our national interest, but also in the service of the necessity of our continuous investment for the preservation and enrichment of the priceless treasure of religious tolerance and harmony”.

Prime Minister Edi Rama’s full reaction:

I am used to reading and hearing surprises after every new idea or project of change that I have expressed or presented in all these years, but this time the surprises said or written after the expression of the idea of ​​creating a sovereign entity of the Bektashi Order, within perimeter of the property of the World Headquarters of the Bektashi in Tirana, have exceeded the limits of all expected fantasies and mischief.

The only thing that I have not heard voiced by the ardent opponents of this idea is even a single meaningful sentence about the history and role of the Bektashis in the destinies of our nation and state, let alone the survival challenges of the Bektashi Order today about which none of them seems to care about!

The ignorance and carelessness in dealing with a matter of such value reinforces my conviction that it is high time for this idea to be implemented and that the need for this step is not only in full harmony with our national interest, but also in service of the necessity of our continuous investment for the preservation and enrichment of the priceless treasure of religious tolerance and harmony, where Bektashism has its irreplaceable merit and role alongside the other three faiths. However, from the idea to its implementation, there is a whole time to clarify everything and a whole public and legislative process to develop, so there is no rush and no need for pointless controversy.

In the meantime, my invitation to the so many opponents of the idea is to get acquainted with the facts and historical contributions of the Bektashi Order in the affairs of the nation and religion in Albania, hoping that perhaps this knowledge will help them to see at least something so simple and yet meaningful. Unlike other communities, which have the natural advantage of belonging to very large communities with a global scope – so they also have great opportunities for uninterrupted support on their way – the Bektashi community is, so to speak, an “orphan” in this perspective.

That is why promotion of the status of the World Headquarters of the Bektashis in Albania to the level of a sovereign entity would not only significantly reduce the real threat of the shrinking of that community to dissolution in the span of several decades, but would also guarantee a stable continuity of existence for the coming generations. Addressing this issue today means protecting an extraordinary value of the historical and cultural heritage of the Albanian nation, not counting other great benefits that the creation of such a sovereign entity in the world will bring to Albania and Albanian patriotism in the troubled world where we live. Yes, we have all the necessary time ahead of us to speak wisely and calmly./p.s./

Rama described it as a remarkable book and a treasure that Albania should offer in the service of peace, tolerance and humanity.

“A remarkable book for anyone interested in learning more about the unique history and culture of the Bektashi Order, a treasure that Albania should offer in the service of peace, tolerance, and humanism as a sovereign spiritual entity in our capital Tirana, where the Bektashi World Headquarters has long been established and then revived from the ashes of the atheistic communist dictatorship”, PM Rama wrote in the X social network.

In a recent interview for the “New York Times”, Prime Minister Edi Rama affirmed the idea of ​​creating a new State of the “Bektashi Order”.

PM Rama said that the goal of the new state is to promote a tolerant version of Islam that Albania is proud of. “We must take care of this treasure, which is religious tolerance, and which we must never take for granted,” he said.

“A moderate Islamic microstate would convey a message: “Don’t let the stigma of Muslims define who the Muslims are,” Rama emphasized./r.e//a.f/p.s./

At the World Headquarters of the Bektashi in Tirana, there was held on Friday morning the holy ceremony of the Nevruz Day.

World Dedebaba of Bektashi Order Hajji Edmond Brahimaj delivered a greeting speech to all Bektashi believers celebrating the Nevruz Day, highlighting the great Ali ibn Abi Talib.

“Today, it’s the birthday of Imam Ali and spiritual revival for a better future. I wish that Nevruz is the day that brings prosperity and blessings from God to all of you and your families. On this special day, I wish you to love each other more, do good things and prosper by having kindness in your hearts. Everyone should know themselves, overcome ego and hatred and sow seeds of peace, love and kindness”, emphasized Dedebaba Mondi.

He also took the opportunity to extend an appeal to the people to “love the homeland, as you make your contribution and integrity to your own homeland. This is the wealth that Albania needs. There is no wealth like education, there is no greater poverty than ignorance”, said Dedebaba Mondi.

“In this Magnificent Month of Ramadan, I wish you love, peace and goodness!” said Dedebaba Mondi.

In Albania, Sultan Nevruz Day, the most important holiday of Bektashism, was decreed as a national holiday in 1996.

In our country, the Bektashi sect is living mainly in the south of the country./k.s/r.e/p.s./

President Begaj took the opportunity to express a greeting to all the Bektashi believers at the end on the day.

“I came today to congratulate the Bektash believers on the Sultan Nevruz, the birthday of Imam Ali, the day of Bektash nobility! It was a pleasure to meet the world leader of the Bektashi Muslims, on this marked day!”, said President Begaj.

“I wish all Bektash believers, health, prosperity, happiness and peace in their families and everywhere! This special day coincides with the spring season, with the colors, optimism and vivacity that it has! So I wish all Albanians to have spring in their lives, to enjoy health and happiness!”, said Begaj.

President Begaj together with Hajji Dede Edmond Brahimaj also visited the statue of Imam Ali that was inaugurated today. /p.s./

Attending the event were Mayor of Bulqiza Lefter Alla, the World Leader of the Bektashis Father Mondi, the Prefect of Dibër region Nexhbedin Shehu, and many other believers from all over Albania.

In his greeting speech, Father Mondi congratulated the believers on this great day, praying for prosperity, kindness and good health for all the Albanian nation.

On the other hand, Alla said that there are precisely these holy places that motivate us to be fairer in relation to others, to ourselves, and above all to God. All religious beliefs in themselves represent a system of living which should be dominated by the good and denial of the evil, envy and malice towards the others.

“We all need today this feeling so that to purify hearts under the shadow of faith, and to pray for goodness for all our nation, but also for the whole world, since for more than one year and a half all the world is facing one of the most difficult pandemics in history, which has cost the lives of millions of people, ”he said./p.s./