Yesterday, the premises of the famous tekke of Gjakova received clergy, religious and state personalities, MPs, historians and believers from Kosovo, Albania, Northern Macedonia, etc., in a series of activities in commemoration of important historical and cultural events, organized by the Headquarters the Bektashi Holy See of Tirana and the Bektashi Quarter of Gjakova. The activity, as it was announced in the numerous media of the Albanian geographical space, started at 11:00 in the morning of July 27, 2021, to continue until the late hours of the same day. Activities of this day included: Commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the resurgence of Bektashism, the reopening of the Holy See of the Bektashi World Headquarters in Tirana; 231st anniversary of the founding of the historic tekke of Gjakova; 6 months of separation from this life of father Mumin Lamaj; promoting the photo album for the former Bektashi World Leader, Dede Reshat Bardhi; the promotion of the book “Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, 10 years of the World Leader of Bektashism” by Nuri Çuni and Kujtim Boriçi and the inauguration of the exhibition on the history of Bektashism in Kosovo.
The event, moderated by journalist Kujtim Boriçi, was attended by Bektashi World Leader Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, Bektashi clerics from Albania, Kosovo and Northern Macedonia, local leaders and Kosovo MPs, a group of well-known Albanian historians and professors, and numerous believers.
After the opening of the event, following the national anthem and showing a short documentary, the floor was given to greet the Bektashi World Leader, His Holiness, Haji Dede Edmond Brahimaj, who among other things emphasized: “… As the World Leader of Bektashis, let me thank you for your participation in this special day and I pray to the God, to bring always peace and prosperity to your families, in all Albanian territories, in all Bektashi communities, wherever they are, all over the world. ! . It is not coincidence that today we carry out a series of activities in the ancient tekke of Gjakova, which carries in itself special religious values of the history of Bektashism, cultural, historical and patriotic values. In such days of legitimate joy and pride, being close to each other, more than a tradition of our tariqah, is an inner call to share every emotion, every memory, every story of sacrifices that have bound us on the journey of our common in the path of Hak. In this context, the 10th anniversary of my election to the high post of Bektashi World Leader, I consider an event for all of us, Bektashi clerics and believers, who by increasing the dimensions of a natural joy, invites us at the same time to share together the historical responsibility we carry on our shoulders. None of us has forgotten the fact that the Bektashi World Center was established in Albania 9 decades ago and the biggest responsibility, mine personally, but also of all my Bektashi clergy brothers, was to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors, responding to times and historical destiny. When I talk about “walking in the footsteps of ancestors”, I mean the martyr of the homeland, Sali Niazi Dede, who sacrificed his life “for the religion and the homeland”, proving the cause of freedom with the Bektashi order is molded. Followed by: Ali Riza Dede, Kamber Ali Dede, Xhaferr Sadik Dede, Abaz Hilmi Dede, Ahmet Myftar Dede and to my myrshidi and yours, to the great friend of all those who knew him, Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi . May Allah the Exalted sanctify their mystery. Today and in the years to come, the work of father Reshati will shine like a heavy stone in the magnificent building of the Bektashi order. The distance in time, not only will not fade his divine image, but on the contrary, we will be near him in every good work of ours, in every sorrow and joy, from the farthest tekke of Asia, to the immeasurable spaces of the East European, in the United States and Canada. His spiritual presence, ubiquitous in our tekkes, is related not simply to his words and messages, but to the strength and patience he endured in his 70 years and especially, to the spiritual spirit with which he blessed us.
Distinguished guests! Today’s event, can not be mine alone. Every achievement of ours in this decade, in every aspect, spiritual, construction, organizational, etc., is a common joy, with all those believers inside and outside Albania, who have been and remain our students and teachers. A special thanks goes today, to the thousands of brothers, Bektashi clerics, here in Gjakova, throughout Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, Albania and even the United States of America with whom, together we have faced all kinds of sacrifices but we have succeeded. The DNA of our faith is the love of God and the brother you have on your side, together in the way of Hak, so we have been and remain united in every trial, aware of this mission forever. What I assure you today, in the capacity of the Bektashi World Leader, is precisely that united in our love for Haxhi Bektash Veliu, together with these clerics, brothers from Hak, we will know how to walk in the golden footsteps of our ancestors, to always be at the moral heights of historical responsibility. The Bektashi Holy See has a glorious mission though extremely difficult, but it does not frighten us. Rather it serves as a kind of call for new inspirations and to the best fulfillment of the God-given mission and physical time. We will remain forever, a symbol of wisdom and peace, for the good of the faith we belong to and the most precious values of human society. Thank you all once again! God bless you and your families! Amin! ”
In continuation, the oldest myhib of the Gjakova tekke, Brahim Rama, spoke about the 231-year history of the Gjakova tekke, while after him, Professor Agim Jaha brought his memories of the personality and contribution given by father Mumin Lama, separated from life six months ago.
Professor Bernard Zotaj, ‘Grand Master’, in his speech stopped briefly, mainly on the values of the two promotions of this day, the photo album dedicated to dede Reshat Bardhi and the book “Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, 10 years World Leader of Bektashism”. Among other things, Professor Zotaj, emphasized: “Dear Bektashi World Leader, Your Holiness, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj! Dear participants in this important activity, which takes place here in the tekke of Tetova, a Bektashi object that has radiated and radiates for more than two and a half centuries the example of worship for God, boundless love for the homeland, for the beautiful language of Albanian education, as well as systematic efforts for more peace, love and respect between people, regardless of race, color or religion! I do not want to be long too much on my speech, but I want to mention briefly some of the values that bring the two promotions in this activity: Photo album “Dede Reshat Bardhi” and the book “Dede Edmond Brahimaj, 10 years World Leader of Bektashism”, authored by friends , Kujtim Boriçi and Nuri Çuni. The album, in my opinion, is not just a chronological sequence of events in the photo, for a period of 30 years starting after 1990, when with the change of the system, the right of religious belief was gained, but a historical document for an important period on the 800-year-old path of Bektashism, where the role of the former Grandfather Dede Reshat Bardhi, is primary. While the selection of photos and professionalism in structure and presentation, add more value. While the voluminous book “Dede Edmond Brahimaj, 10 years World Leader of Bektashism”, for me, is a continuation of the same path, where the current World Leader, has led and continues to lead the Holy See with the dedication of the clergyman, intellectual and patriot. I think that the analysis of this book requires more detailed study, but I want to highlight the fact that the professional use of abundant archival material, the structure of the book itself and the material as a whole, serve as a document for today and future generations, as a basis information about the contribution of Bektashism of the clergy of this faith, in Albania and around the world, who at every stage of history, has been and remains in the right direction. Finally, based on this activity and others in the future, I want to touch on the indisputable religious and intellectual role of Dede Edmond Brahimaj, in the direction of the Bektashi Holy See. Congratulations to the authors for these valuable submissions! Congratulations to its organizers! Thank you!”.
While the researcher Ferit Fixha, from Tirana, among others, emphasized: “I express my pleasure to be present here today, in this event that contains in itself some approaches related to the radiation of eight centuries of Bektashism here in Gjakova, Kosovo and beyond ; the role played by the Bektashi clerics, that this peaceful belief based on the principle “without Nation,there is no religion”, find more and more, numerical and geographical scope.
This time that I have to refer my speech , let me express briefly some thoughts on this important event, in the promotion of this interesting monograph of prominent authors in Albanian journalism Kujtim Boriçi and Nuri Çuni, dedicated to the Bektashi World Leader, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj , as a worthy descendant of Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi, who revived Bektashism after 1990 and made the spiritual revival of Bektashis in Albania and around the world. As the 39th leader of Bektashism in the 800-year period and the 9th Albanian Leader, Dede Edmond Brahimaj, who belongs to the elite of this leadership, comes to this world where knowledge is reflected, his works, studies, speeches, his religious and patriotic messages, devotion engraved in the soul and memory of the believers of this peaceful faith and all mankind.
Today, it is known as an interfaith spiritual bridge not only in Albania, but worldwide. Suffice it to mention the march of harmony of the representatives of the Albanian religious faiths in Paris, as a rare, unique and radiant case for the harmony and peace of humanity. So on the boulevard of Paris they made loving, exciting shouts: “Baba Mondi, Baba Mondi!”
Hajji Dede Edmond Brahimaj embodies the highest values of the Bektashi faith of 800 million believers in the world, as a possessor of great love for this faith, as a visionary for the time, as a brother in the harmonious diversity of different religious faiths. Manifested Western vision not only within the Albanian society, but also in the international one, so he has often become a member of podiums and international meetings, interfaith conferences and has been awarded prestigious awards as “Ambassador of Peace”, etc. He was received with warmth and respect by the highest clergy such as the Pope, etc. and by high state, academic, cultural and scientific personalities. In Albania he was honored with the title “Honorary Citizen” in several cities, with the High Order “Skanderbeg Knight” etc. Currently, being the chairman of the Interreligious Council of Albania, this council has been honored with the high medal “Honor of the Nation”. Bektashism represents an emancipatory, progressive, spiritualist faith. According to Naim Frashëri, the prominent Albanian renaissance and the great national poet, who wrote “Bektashi Notebook” and “Karbala”, who built the cultural, religious and patriotic symbiosis, giving the physiognomy of Albanian patriotism: ” Do you have the kindness / To know that you have God ”. … Robert Elsie, writes: “Without the Bektashis, Albania would not be what it is today”. Many foreign scholars have written about Bektashism: Max Choublier, Gabriel Luis-Jaray, Frederik Hasluck, Justin Godard, Margaret Hasluck, Franz Babinger, John Kingsley Birge, etc. In compiling this valuable monograph, the authors have used archival documents, media evidence, film footage, original photo albums. They have reflected them in the book, beautifully aesthetically, structured with professionalism, expressed with feeling and artistic level. In it, come naturally intertwined and inseparable, the irreplaceable role and valuable contribution of Dede Reshat Bardhi in the revival of Bektashism, the steps taken and the work done by Dede Edmond Brahimaj to consolidate and advance this valuable tradition. In the pages of this book is evidenced the historical truth and activities with values of Bektashism today, which will undoubtedly serve in the education and formation of present and future generations. It is not a monograph of a protagonist, but an open monograph on the mysticism, humanism and spiritualism of this religious, contemporary and democratic religion, inspired by its religious leaders of 800 years, with the motto, the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Without a homeland there is no religion.” I think I am not emotional when I say that this book is one of the pearls of the column published in Albanian to date in this field, which stands dignifiedly next to the books “Albanian Bektashis” by Robert Elsie, “Islamic Mysticism and Bektashism” by Baba Rexhepi and any other. Congratulations to the World Leader on his noble mission! Congratulations to the two authors, Nuri Çuni and Kujtim Boriçi for this book with special values! ”
The following Bektashi clerics from Northern Macedonia and Kosovo spoke, Professor Zaho Golemi from Albania; Dr. Arben Sulejmani from Northern Macedonia; Ruzhdi Sefa, President of the Association “Jakova” in Gjakova; Saranda Hyseni, director of culture in the Municipality of Gjakova; researcher Parim Kosova, Director of the Museum of the “Albanian League of Prizren”; famous filmmaker Kreshnik Harshova from Albania etc…
The deputies of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo, Jahja Koka and Teuta Haxhi, also praised the activity and role of Bektashism as a peaceful faith. They promised the Bektashi World Leader, their support and commitment, to solve some problems that Bektashi institutions have in Kosovo, especially legal support in this regard.
With great interest was attended by those present, a professional exhibition with 30 stands located in the tekke, related to the history of Bektashism in Kosovo, prepared by Nuri Çuni.
Part of this activity was the awarding of several certificates of appreciation, by Dede Edmond Brahimaj, to some clerics and intellectuals who contributed to the ideation and preparation of the event and the support they continuously give to Bektashism.
Before the traditional Bektashi lunch, the World Grandfather, Dede Edmond Brahimaj, held a long productive conversation, with the deputies and officials present, the group of professors from Tirana and a group of intellectuals known from all over Albania.
The special feature of this activity was not only the participation, but also the considerable spaces of its coverage in the print media, radios and televisions, in Kosovo, Albania and beyond. At the same time, clerics, book authors and professors present at these events were interviewed by numerous radio and television stations that covered the event.
Soon, the promotion of the book dedicated to Dede Edmond Brahimaj and the photo album for Dede Reshat Bardhi will take place in Tetovo, Northern Macedonia.
Prepared by:
Lorik BAKIJA
Journalist on RTV-21, Kosovo
