Today, on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the passing away and, 175th anniversary of the birthday of Naim Frashëri (May 25, 2021), and the 40th anniversary of the death of the former Bektashi World Leader Dede Ahmet Myftari, the Bektashi World Headquarters officially opened ” Year of Naim “, a special program, which included a series of activities such as” Meeting with poets “, photo exhibitions from” Life and work of Naim Frashëri “, reprint of several books, scientific session and other activities during the cultural and artistic reception. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Albanian state, representatives of religious communities, poets, intellectuals, journalists and hundreds of benefactors and believers.
Everything is conceived and will be realized under the care of the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj. “The great poet, Bektashi Naim Frashëri, is and will always remain a symbol of light, knowledge and worship for millions of Bektashis in the world. Anniversaries of birth and separation from life, are the culmination points dedicated to him. The commemoration of these anniversaries has already become a tradition, but since this year coincides with full time periods (120 and 175), the Bektashi Holy See has thought that from today until the end of 2021, there will be a series of different activities in Tirana, districts and other places in the world where Bektashis work and live. This tradition of remembrance and worship has started since the remains of Naim came here, in 1937. For this great national ceremony held at the Bektashi World Headquarters, where the remains were placed in its most beautiful place, and the monumental, shrine was erected and in 1954 his bust was erected. “For four years now, the World Headquarters has been organizing the Naimian Day in Paris, France, entitled” Bektashi Culture “, with the participation of people from different parts of the world, a tradition that will be annual.”
Bismilahi Rrahmani Rrahim!
In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful!
Dear brothers and sisters, believers, poets, scholars, friends of Dede Ahmet Myftari and bearer of national and spiritual wealth of Naim Frashëri!
Let me thank you all for your participation in these events and as the Bektashi World Leader, I wish you and bless you: Good luck and lasting prosperity to your families!
Since July 10, 1980, when Dede Ahmeti passed away, the Albanian Bektashi believers have followed with the deepest respect to the work of this great clergyman. In the decade 1980-1990, July 10, he gathered almost illegally the benevolent friends of the former World Leader, who, although in the conditions of that savage regime we went through, wanted to keep his memory alive. After the ’90s until today, July 10, with the initiative of our myrshid, dede Reshat Bardhi, this day took on a different meaning, turned into the deepest gratitude to dede Ahmeti, the day of the union of believers in every corner of Albania, within the Bektashi fraternity. I assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that we will carry forward this valuable tradition, not just to shed light on the past, but to be as accomplished as possible in the mission of our sect for peace and prosperity in Albania, in the Balkans and beyond.
We thought that exactly in this commemorative jubilee of dede Ahmet Myftari, we would also have the cultural year of Naim Frashëri, of this national poet, the scholar of the Albanian language and the Granfather of Bektashi in Albania. Many of you who are here today, obviously have your own personal perceptions of our nation poet. We have all grown up with his poems and we are proud of that patriotic fire that has forgiven us for generations. But I would say that within his literary universe, feel like stars, those hundreds of thousands of verses that Naimi dedicated to Bektashism, revealing to Albanians that they have a great wealth, which they must protect and enrich. I see it appropriate, to thank today, all those scholars, writers and poets, inside and outside the political borders of Albania, who have been dedicated and attentive to the work of Naim, as I think that during this cultural year, to throw even more light about the mystical universe created by him.
Sisters and brothers!
We are in the conditions of a world pandemic, so we thought that this date, despite the special symbolism, should be celebrated as simply as possible. We will undoubtedly respect prominent Bektashi figures, but always within the norms and rules set by the relevant state mechanisms.
We ask the Almighty God to give us full patience and will, to go through these difficult times with as little worry as possible and to advance these good works that we have started.
God bless you all!
Amin!
Speech of the Bektashi World Leader,
His Grace,
Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj
