Today, the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, participated and spoke at the National Conference against Trafficking of Human Beings in Albania, with the object: “God created us in the example and in the likeness of him ‘and we are His image ”. The conference started at 11:00 on February 8, 2021, with the premises of the Catholic University, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Aula “Magna” in Tirana and its purpose was: Presentation of the trafficking situation in our country; presenting the attitudes and orientations of the religious community in Albania against this phenomenon and strengthening the cooperation between the religious communities and the main actors.
At this conference, spoke the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, who, among other things said: “… It is an honor for me personally this event, aware that we must all unite in efforts to protect human dignity and the highest human values we have inherited. May the Supreme God give us the will and support to preserve and protect every innocent life, including it in our brotherhood!
It is true that throughout its history, up to the present day, Islam has regarded every Muslim as a member of a large family, filled with the love, mercy and blessings of Allah. It is also just as true that the customary codes of Islam and its practices tend to highlight the most precious qualities of human dignity, inspired by Qur’anic hadiths. Or clear divine messages. Even in the Bektashi order, human dignity is valued in all its dimensions, in every circumstance and at every historical stage. The pearls of the tariqah in this context are numerous, but I would bring here only one thought of Imam Ali, peace be upon him! Who said: “O man! You were born free from mother and father. Do not be enslaved by anyone! ” In the 800 years of the existence of the tariqah, the Bektashi tekkes, in addition to the historical obligations they had before the nation, have been able to convey to the generations of believers that their dignity is as decisive as their devotion to the Creator. This human dignity has grown, through faith, sacrifice and especially through religious brotherhood, in which all followers of Haxhi Bektash Veliu have felt equal, regardless of race, nation or country. Of course, trafficking in human beings in Albania is already a painful reality and accepted by all of us. Our society is neither the first nor the last to live with this open wound and honestly we are always in full support of the relevant segments and mechanisms of the Albanian state, in every initiative and action of theirs that means the prevention of the phenomenon in word. In the meantime, we encourage every initiative and effort of civil society, not only for the sensitivities conveyed, but also for a series of adequate and long-term solutions, convinced that the pain of the victims of these traffics will be alleviated to some extent.
Meanwhile, we as religious communities have never seen ourselves out of this war and effort to prevent trafficking in human beings. For a long time, every tekke square, every cafe-chimney, every gathering on religious holidays, has been and remains open to events, conversations, or initiatives related to trafficking. Especially in conversations with young people, our clerics throughout Albania, have tried to root in their consciousness, the idea that human life is a gift of God and it should be lived only according to moral and divine principles, ignoring at all times the joys of this world. We have also been able to maintain regular contact with family members or families who have been threatened, or have fallen victim to trafficking, conveying to them not only wisdom but also the hope of better days. As we have encouraged the relevant state mechanisms, to prevent any possible trafficking situation and in cases committed to take every measure to find and bring to justice the culprits.
I believe we share the same idea together, that trafficked human beings are equal to all of us, in the sense of the blessings that the Creator has bestowed upon us. Only temporarily and unjustly, these innocent beings have been denied, or are destined to be denied, so it is our duty as religious clerics to stay as close as possible to these people and to explain the temporary nature of the calamity. Let us even guide them with hope and with the will of God to accept them with open arms among us. More than mercy, this is a great obligation, ours, an obligation to be all together in our eternal spiritual journey… ”
At the conference they discussed and gave their opinions and: His Excellency, Monsignor Luigi Bonaz Apostolic Nuncio in Albania; Genti Kruja, Secretary General of the Interreligious Council of Albania; Haxhi Bujar Spahiu, Leader of the Muslim Community in Albania; Archbishop Anastas Janullatos, Head of the Autocephalous Church of Albania; Pastor Ylli Doçi, President of the Evangelical Brotherhood of Albania
Prepared
Sheldiana Agaraj Jano
