In the history of the resurgence of Bektashism in Albania, after the political changes of 1990, Ibrahim Hasnaj, son of a Bektashi family known for generations, writer, poet, researcher of Bektashism, publicist, publisher, is among those who gave help. and for some time, General Secretary of the Bektashian Holy See with headquarters in Tirana.
Today, May 5, marks the 110th anniversary of his birth. Among other things, the Bektashian World Grandfather, His Holiness, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, affirms: "Commemorating today, May 5, 2022, the 110th anniversary of the birth of Ibrahim Hasnaj, our brother, the famous Bektashian poet and scholar, Ibrahim Hasnaj, we simultaneously evoke the values and the contribution that the famous Hasnaj family of Tirana, as well as Ibrahim Hasnaj himself, has given to our peaceful faith for generations, before the destruction of religious institutions and the prohibition of faith by the previous monist regime, especially in the efforts to rebuild the Bektashian Holy See after the political changes of 1990. Ibrahim Hasnaj, the Bektashian intellectual, who has been praised and "Honorary Dervish" has left a smoky fortune in the Bektashian literary creativity, as a translator and publisher, but also as leader. The severe suffering, prison and exile in the monist period, because of his faith, made him not give up on his convictions, his faith and his loyalty to the path of Haxhi Bektash Veli. Hasnaj's wealth is known and will be appreciated in the future...!"
Ibrahim Hasnaj was born on May 5, 1912, in a citizen family, autochthonous from Tirana. His father, Mahmund Hasnaj, or as he was popularly known as "Usta Mahmudi", was a well-known popular doctor in the Tirana area, where he completed his education at the time. He was raised and raised by his parents, with love for the Bektashi faith and love for the homeland. With intelligence, perseverance and dedication to knowledge, he studied and read, reaching a high level of education and culture. With the establishment of the Bektashi World Center in Tirana in 1930, you saw him with his family in every Bektashi activity in Kryegyshate. In 1934, he became a muhib, a spiritual member of Bektashism, quickly becoming familiar with Bektashi literature. He had talent and was clearly evident with his interesting writings in various fields: poems, stories, journalistic writings, etc. In his early youth, he joined the "Besnik Cano" Battalion and participated with a weapon in hand against the Serbs, in defense of the Kosovar people. Ibrahimi stands out as a poet, writer, translator, publicist, excavator, religious and patriot. He wrote under the pseudonyms "Hima", "Bardhyl Nizami", "Cen Qytyku"; etc. He was the General Secretary of the Bektashi World Headquarter and the editor-in-chief of the Bektashi periodical "Djersa", which was published until 1947. Over the years, Ibrahimi devotedly collected all the work of the poet from Tirana, Zenel Bastari, with the help he had also given to Ibrahim Dalliu. In 1959, he donated all his research work to the Department of Literature and Linguistics at the University of Tirana. Hasnaj, until 1970, continued to collect the work of Zenel Bastar. He also studied and collected the work of his friend, the composer and musician from Elbasan, master Isuf Myzyri. Isuf Myzyri spent the period he lived in Tirana at the house of the Hasnaj. There are many mystical writings and studies about the Bektashi sect, such as: "I and my feelings", 1939; "Tears of the poor", 1940; "Fiery Rays" and "In the Endless Ocean of Truth", 1980... He was a well-known satirist in the 30s of the last century, who wrote in the Tirana dialect and is among the poets of the Bektashi tradition. He was a member of the editorial staff of the temporary magazine "Njeriu", of the "Drita Hyjnore" organization. After the liberation, he was the editor of the temporary "Djersa" of the Bektashi community, which published 8 issues. On January 22, 1948, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He served 10 years in prison, then was sent to 5 years of internment in concentration camps, where he was kept under the supervision of the State Security all the time. After he was released, he collected and devoted himself to the study of the works of his friends, H. Ibrahim Dalli and Isuf Myzyri. After all this long ordeal of suffering, he works as a barber. With the advent of democracy, in close cooperation with Father Reshat Bardhi and others, he worked with dedication and organized the initiatory commission for the reopening of the World Bektashi Cathedral, which took place on March 22, 1991. He was an "Honorary Dervish" and the Tirana Association has declared it the "Nobility of Tirana". Ibrahimi enjoyed deep respect in religious, literary, nationalist circles and among all the honorable Tirana families. He passed away on June 12, 1995. In the archival fund of the Archdiocese, he has left interesting materials that await publication. On this 110th anniversary of his birth, we commemorate Ibrahim Hasnaj for his life and work full of selflessness and dedication as a poet, publicist in the service of Bektashism and society will be remembered with respect.
Prepared by:
Nuri CUNI
Kujtim BORIÇI
