On January 28, 1930, 92 years ago, the former World Leader of the Bektashis, Sali Niazi Dedei, came to Albania. That day, in the tekke of Turan-Korça, the warm voice of Sali Niazi Dedei, the early son of Kolonjë, the clergyman who grew up and was educated in the Bektashi tradition, reached the high position of World Grandfather, at the Bektashi Capital in New Shehir, Turkey. Although the reception that the people of southern Albania gave to Sali Niazi Dedeit was unusual, although the Bektashi believers of Kolonjë and Korçë accompanied him through the enthusiasm from Qafa e Qarrit and up to here, although the atmosphere was truly fraternal, this does not mean that the journey and that man's decision, had been easy. That compassionate clergyman, accustomed to devotion to God through the philosophy of Haji Bektash Veliu, had recently crossed the threshold of the blessed tekke of New-Shehir, leaving behind not only grief and deep silence, but also a rare, centuries-old testimony of the tariqah. Bektashi…
Sali Niazi Dede's contribution to Bektashism has left its mark on the history of this peaceful faith. Although the murderous hand took the life of Sali Niazi Dede on November 28, 1941, our faith was neither shaken nor shrunk. On the contrary, Sali Niazi's followers all left, precious traces. The names of Ali Riza Dedei, Kamber Ali Dedei, Xhaferr Sadik Dedei, Abaz Ilmi Dedei, Ahmet Myftar Dedei and Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi, will always shine in the pantheon of world Bektashism. In particular, Ahmet Myftar Dedei and Dede Reshat Bardhi, they will be remembered for keeping their faith in God alive, precisely in his most difficult times, in the years of dictatorship he left behind. Sali Dedei for his monumental and spiritual work has been awarded the high title "Martyr of the Fatherland" and has been decorated with "Honor of the Nation".
The Bektashi World Leaders, Albanians are: Sali Niazi Dede, 1914-1941; Ali Riza Dede, 1941-1944; Kamber Ali Dede, 1944-1945; Xhafer Sadik Dede, 1945-1945; Ahmet Myftar Dede, 1947-1980; Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi, 1991-2011; Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, 2011.
Prepared by:
Nuri ÇUNI
Kujtim BORIÇI
