(ZENIT News / NY, 09.29.2024).- Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama made a groundbreaking announcement on Sunday, September 22, at the United Nations, declaring his government’s plan to transform the Bektashi Muslim community into a sovereign state within the capital city, Tirana. This bold move aims to foster global ideals of moderation, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, a mission closely aligned with the values Albania has historically upheld.
Speaking to an international audience, Rama underscored Albania’s unique role as a small Balkan nation with a proud legacy of compassion. He reflected on Albania’s heroic efforts during World War II, when the country provided refuge to Jewish people escaping the Holocaust, and its more recent sheltering of Afghans fleeing Taliban rule. This long-standing commitment to humanitarian causes, he suggested, has shaped Albania into a beacon of tolerance.
Rama also took pride in Albania’s gift to the world: Mother Teresa, the revered humanitarian who was born in Skopje, in what was then part of Albania. “She embodied love for humanity,” Rama reminded the assembly. “Her words continue to inspire us—‘Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.’”
Drawing from this inspiration, the prime minister framed the creation of a sovereign Bektashi state as a new chapter in Albania’s mission to promote global harmony. By officially designating the Bektashi Order, a Sufi branch of Islam, as a sovereign entity headquartered in Tirana, Albania intends to position itself as a global hub for religious tolerance. This move is expected to have profound implications, as the Bektashi Order is known for its progressive, inclusive interpretation of Islam that embraces interfaith dialogue.
The Bektashi community, which represents roughly 10% of Albania’s Muslim population, has long been a symbol of Albania’s religious diversity. Despite making up a minority, their principles of spiritual openness and nonviolence resonate deeply in a country where nearly half of the population identifies as Muslim, with the remainder split between Catholic, Orthodox Christian, and other religious communities.
Religious harmony in Albania is frequently praised as a model for the world. Albania has managed to cultivate a peaceful coexistence among different faiths, a fact that Rama emphasized during his speech. “Our history proves that despite our differences, unity is possible, and through this, Albania stands as an example of coexistence.”
The establishment of a sovereign Bektashi state, while unprecedented, is seen as a way to institutionalize this ethos of unity and tolerance. More than just a symbolic gesture, the new state is intended to be a center for promoting moderation in religious practice and fostering dialogue across cultural and religious divides.
As Rama’s speech at the UN resonated beyond Albania’s borders, it has sparked global curiosity about the future role of the Bektashi Order on the international stage. Albania’s decision to elevate the order into a sovereign entity highlights the country’s ambition to not only safeguard its own religious diversity but to also export its values of peaceful coexistence to the world.
This initiative reflects Albania’s forward-thinking approach to addressing global challenges of extremism and division. By nurturing a state dedicated to moderation in religion and inclusivity, Albania hopes to inspire other nations to follow suit, demonstrating that even small countries can lead with moral authority.
While details of how the new Bektashi state will function are still unfolding, the gesture marks an important step in Albania’s ongoing efforts to build bridges across religious and cultural divides.
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