The Bektashi World Leader, His Holiness, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, led the ceremony and received ambassadors, religious leaders and senior officials.
Hundreds of believers and benefactors of Bektashism, who in the early hours of yesterday, August 19, 2021, were at the Holy See of the Bektashi World Headquarters in Tirana, in the traditional Ashura ceremony, which was organized after the tenth day of Matem's fast , in memory of the 72 martyrs, fighters of Karbala.
All activities and organization, in accordance with the relevant conservation measures by covid-19, on this marked day, were carried out under the special care of the Bektashi World Leader, His Holiness, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj.
The Ashura Day ceremony was accompanied by the participation of senior personalities of state institutions in the country and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Albania, the Director of the Center Against Violent Extremism, Mrs. Lady Dervishi; Ambassador of Ukraine to Albania; Representative from the Embassy of France Mrs. Claire Nantier; Deputy German Ambassador Mr. Jannis Von Oy; Ambassador of Egypt; Ambassador of the Czech Republic; Representatives from the Embassy of Hungary; Representatives from the Albanian Parliament; Deputy Mayor of Tirana; Representatives of the State Committee of Cults; Representatives of Religious Communities, from the Orthodox Church of Albania, His Holiness Asti Bakallbashi; Catholic Church Mons. George Frendo; The Muslim Community, Mr. Dorian Demetja and the UN Vice President for the Protection of the Rights of Minorities and Minorities in the World.
The Grandfather, Dede Edmond Brahimaj, after the keynote address, where he wished the believers and Albanians for more peace, love, brotherhood to walk in the way of God, conducted a special ritual in memory and honor of Imam Hysen and the 72 martyrs of Karbala.
"Dear participants, guests, myhyban believers and clerics! Today we celebrate the day of Ashura, after ten days of mourning and fasting mourning in honor of the fallen of Qebela. Of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for peace, goodness, truth, and universal brotherly love. Such holidays unite not only believers, but all people, so it is important that they are spent in harmony and with loved ones. The Feast of Ashura, is a seemingly simple ceremonial, but irreplaceable for our Bektashi tradition. We fasted together for ten days of mourning, we talked and followed together the tragic events of Qerrbela. We have remembered the sublime act of the 72 martyrs and the immortal knight Imam Husayn, peace be upon "Him". We have seen and talked about the extent to which the devil and human wickedness embodied in Yazid and Mavija can go. The curse of the Most High God accompanies them and their followers! "And our appeal remains, more kindness, peace, love and unity between people, regardless of race, color, idea or religion." In these difficult times we must open our hearts and live in brotherly peace with one another and with God. After ten days of sacrifice for the fallen of Karbala, a new seed opens, and a new hope is born for all of us . We love and respect each other, family, society and above all the place where we live. In the face of challenges and hardships there is always a light of hope that is reborn and should flourish in the hearts of all of us! May the martyrs of Karbala help us all and may God Almighty bless us! Amin! "
The day continued amid congratulations, numerous visits of Bektashi believers, the distribution of ashura, which, for 10 hours, was boiled in Kryegjyshata with the recitation of Qur'anic verses.
Matem
… Until the day of Ashura is done Matemi, which is the fast of mourning, or the memorial mourning. The fast of the Bektashis and other Alevi sects, which lasts 10 days of the lunar month of Muharram (Muharram is the beginning of the new Hijri year according to the Muslim calendar). During these days, Bektashi, Muslim and Alevi believers everywhere in the world, for 10 days in a row, commemorate as a sign of mourning and respect, the 72 martyrs who fell heroes in Karbala, led by Imam Husayn (approximately October 20, 680 AD Christ, in Iraq). These days Bektashis and others gather in various tekkes where the leaders recite the Hadith aloud, perform the daily ritual commemorating the sufferings of the prophets and the tragic event of Karbala, for their sacred service for the good of mankind, preaching the way of justice, peace, brotherhood and human perfection. The first night is dedicated to the sufferings of the prophets: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses and Christ; the second for the Prophet Muhammad; the third for Imam Ali; the fourth for Imam Hasan; the fifth for Imam Husayn (his birth and life); the sixth for Imam Husayn (his escape from Medina); the seventh for Myslym Achilles (the murder of him and his two sons, Myftar and Ibrahim); the eighth for Imam Husayn (his departure for Kufa); the ninth for Imam Husayn (mourning in Karbala) and, the tenth night, for Imam Husayn (his martyrdom and other martyrs). These days no water is drunk, etc.
Ashura
On the tenth day of Matem, to end this period of fasting, a final ceremony takes place in the tekke. This ceremony begins at the end of the tenth night. Believers drink the water of life, the syrup and after that, the ashura is set on fire and from this moment, the "Day of Ashura" continues the next day. Ashura is the special sweet that gets the name of this day - The tenth day means Ashura. Ashura on the tenth day of the month of Muharram marks the anniversary of the death of Imam Husayn in Karbala. Ashura is cooked with wheat, water, starch, beans, beans, corn, dried figs, raisins, nuts, sugar (or honey, jam, cider), cinnamon. In the religious ceremony it is recited aloud (nerthije) religious prayers are said in a mourning silence. Then visits are made, and the believers eat ashura.
