On Thursday, May 19, 2022, the World Grandfather of Bektashism, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, turns 63. On this day, from 10:00 a.m., at the Bektashian Holy See in Tirana, visitors and congratulations are expected.
Dede Edmond Brahimaj was born in Tirana on May 19, 1959, to parents who were devout believers of Bektashism, originally from the village of Brataj in Vlora. After finishing the 8-year school, he continued his studies at the "Skënderbej" Military High School, which he finished with excellent results. In the future, he is given the right to attend higher military studies, at the Academy of Land Forces, today "Skënderbej". From 1982 to 1990, he served in various military functions, in Burrel and Peshkopi. With the revival of the Bektashi faith at the end of the 90s, together with other clergy and believers, he participates in the Organizational Council of the Holy See of the World Bektashi Headquarter, for its reopening.
At the beginning of 1991, at his request, he was released from the military function, taking over the burden for the organization of the Bektashian Community. It is worth noting that even in the most difficult conditions, when the exercise of religious faith in Albania was prohibited by a special article of the Constitution, his parents' house in Tirana served to keep Bektashism alive, being greatly endangered by the regime that did not forgive them.
On January 2, 1992, he was surrendered to his spiritual leader, Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi and Baba Barjam Mahmutaj, thus finally entering the path of the enlightened Pir, Haxhi Bektash Veliu. This is where his religious career begins. On May 16, 1996, he was consecrated with the "Dervish" order and was charged with duties in the Teke of Turan, in the Bektashian Korçë Cathedral.
His tireless work for the continuity and revival of the Bektashi faith in Librazhd, Pogradec, Mokër, Korçë, Devoll and Kavajë, led to the fact that on April 13, 1997, he was decreed with the title "Father" and after passing from this life to Father Bajram Mahmutaj, is appointed as the first deputy of the Bektashian Grandfather, Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi. In this high function, his contribution has been precious, especially in the ideation, preparation and implementation of the next three congresses of Bektashism. Even, in the last two congresses (Tirana 2000 and 2005), he reported in the capacity of the head of the High Council of Quarters.
In March 2006, with the passing away of Baba Tahir Emin, he was also appointed to the position of grandfather of the Bektashi Quarter in Macedonia. His contribution to this homeland has been both in terms of organizing the communities of believers there, and in terms of international recognition. Both in Korça and Tetovo, Haxhi Baba Edmond Brahimaj has manifested the prominent qualities of the Bektashi cleric in the doctrinal, moral and civic aspect, becoming a factor of religious tolerance among other faiths. In 2004, for his valuable contribution, the Municipal Council of Korça District honored him with the highest title "Korça District Honor".
He has received many thanks and high consideration from the governments of Albania and Macedonia, civil associations. Also, the accredited diplomatic body in Skopje has rated him highly as a man with all the attributes of a religious leader, especially his peaceful role in Harabati Baba, Teqe in Tetovo, especially the way he faced legal discrimination against the Bektash Community. using wisdom, ingenuity. He was and remains a man of wise words, sweet and wise.
From 1992 onwards, Haxhi Baba Edmond Brahimaj has participated in trainings of prestigious international organizations, doctrinal courses, symposiums and various activities of a religious, humane and social character, where he has also referred, bringing there the voice and experiences of the communities. Bektashis everywhere in the world. So in 1996, he referred to Tehran regarding the Bektashi tolerance in the Balkans. On June 14, 2003, at the International Conference "Religions and Civilizations in the New Millennium", he referred to the challenges of Bektashism in the future. In June 2004, within the framework of the trainings of the organization of traditional Albanian religious communities, he visited the White House in the USA. From the board of this organization, he deserved the title "Ambassador of Peace". He went to the USA invited by the State Department and the American embassy in Albania for a 21-day period for religious diversity in the USA. He participated several times in the celebrations of August 16 in Haxhi Bektash, Turkey, where he was received by senior leaders of the Turkish state as well as those of the "Haxhi Bektash Veliut" Institute near Gaz University in Turkey. He was also present and contributed with his lectures in similar activities in Tirana, Skopje, Pristina, Ohrid, IstanbulAnkara, Afiyon, Stuttgart Cologne, and in Detroit, USA. He participated in the World Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in 2004. He participated in visits to the holy places in Jerusalem in Israel in 2007. He was invited to the 33rd World Congress on "Religious Freedoms" in India and has ignited the torch of this activity, together with the prominent religious leader, the Dalai Lama. He participated in three world conferences on religion in Macedonia from 2006-2011. He has completed his studies in Law, at the State University of Tetova, in Macedonia.
After the passing away of the former World Grandfather of the Bektashians, Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi, father Mondi, on 11.06.2011, he was elected to the high post of the World Grandfather of the Bektashins. These years as the World Grandfather of the Bektashians, His Grace, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, has worked with dedication continuing the path of Dede Reshat Bardhi, the Bektash tradition in institutional relations inside and outside the country. During this period of leadership, there is a busy agenda in various international activities around the world. In the Balkan countries, there have been many meetings with the Presidents and Prime Ministers of Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo.
But the most important meetings are: The meeting with the representatives of the Council of Europe on religious issues in 2012.
Dede Edmond Brahimaj, has held meetings with high dignitaries of Turkey, Prime Minister Erdogan, the Turkish President and high representatives of the Muslim Community of Turkey in 2013. He is a participant in the Conference for the 100th anniversary of the "Vatra" Society in 2013, in the meeting with dignitaries of the White House in the USA with Secretary of State John Kerry in 2013, the World Peace Conference in Peja, Kosovo, 2013.
Visit to the holy places of Iraq in the city of Najaf, Karbala, Kufa, Baghdad, April 2014. Participate in the Peace Summit in Seoul, September 2014. Meeting with Pope Francis in Tirana, September 21, 2014. In the international activity for peace among peoples 9 -October 12, 2014, Palermo-Italy.
Participated in the White March with representatives of the four religious communities of Albania in Paris, France, in January 2015. Made it possible to realize the legacy of Dede Reshat Bardhi in the grand inauguration of the Bektashi Shrine in Tirana with the participation of dignitaries from many countries of the world, on September 7, 2015.
Meeting with Pope Francis on May 10, 2016 in the Vatican. On June 17, 2016, participates in the inauguration of the bust of "Mother Teresa, in the province of Munich, organized by the Cultural Association "Sali Çekaj", on September 4, 2016, participates in the Consecration of Mother Teresa, in Rome-Italy, in a meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Istanbul, Bartholomew I, in Istanbul, Turkey in September 2016 and this month, the World Peace Academy of the UN, gives him the title "Doctor Honoris Causa". On October 9, 2016, he took part in the ceremony of the proclamation "Cardinal" of the suffering Albanian, Dom Ernest Troshan.
On March 22, 2017, under His leadership, "Sultan Nevruz Day" was realized as a grand international manifestation according to Bektashi rituals, followed by 27 televisions from different countries of the world. On May 25, 2017, he is the organizer of the second year "Day of Bektashi Culture" in Paris, France. In June 2017, he participated in the "Prayer Breakfast" in Berlin, Germany. This month, he organizes the grand event of the 500th anniversary of the work Ballëm Sultan, the Second Pir of Bektashism, Tirana-Martanesh. September 2017, participates in the third Conference of religious leaders for world peace in Seoul, South Korea. October 14 in Skopje, Macedonia, organizer of the International Conference on the theme: "The Bektashi religious community order premime" relator and guest of honor, Josef Weinerholster, vice president of the European Parliament, participated. October 2017 meeting in Brussels about the problem of the Harabati Baba of Tetova with members of the EP and the EU Reporter for Albania, Knut Fleckentein. His participation in the International Conference on religions, pluralistic culture for lasting peace in the Middle East, Athens Greece October 30, 2017. November 2017 he participates in the ceremony of raising the bust of "Mother Teresa" in Croatia, together with the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Ilir Meta, where Mr. Stipe Mesic for future conversations regarding the development of Bektashism in the region and beyond.
In January 2018, he participated in the International Conference "Iraq after the victory over the Islamic State" in Berlin, organized in cooperation with the European office of dialogue between religions. February 7, 2018 is the organizer of the jubilee of the 480th anniversary of the foundation of Harabati Baba, Tetovo - Macedonia, participation from accredited embassies in Macedonia, OSCE representatives, intellectuals, professors from Balkan countries and Albania. On this occasion, the presentation of the photographic exhibition was made in this rare event.
EVENTSMacedonia, Skopje on the recognition of the Decision of the Strasbourg Court, to recognize the Bektashian Community in Macedonia, the Activity in Switzerland, Ankara, in some states of the USA, etc.
He received honorary titles:
"Ambassador of Peace", 2004
"Honor of the Korca District", 2004.
"Honorary Citizen" of Zerqan-Bulqizë Municipality, June 10, 2014
"Honorary Citizen" of Martanesh-Bulqizë Municipality, June 29, 2014
"Honorary Citizen" of Bogovë-Skrapar Municipality, August 22, 2014
"Honorary Citizen" of Frashër-Përmet Municipality, May 25, 2014.
"Prominent personality of Labëria, Association "Labëria", February 2015
"Honorary Citizen" of Fier District, March 2015.
"Honorary Citizen of Berat District, May 2015.
Order "Knight of Skanderbeg" September 7, 2015 by the President of the Republic.
"Dr. Honorus Causa", UN Mission, September 2016
Honor of Bulqiza Municipality, October 2016
Acknowledgment by President Obama USA, January 2017.
Gold Award "Icon of Peace" United Nations Association, "G.O.D Awards" October 2017.
"Honorary Citizen" of Skrapar, Skrapar Municipality, January 2018.
"Honorary Citizen" of the Nationwide Patriotic Cultural Association "Vëllezërit Frashëri"-Përmet, May 2018.
Medal "Gjergj Kastriot Skënderbeu" from the Government of Kosovo July 17, 1919.
The "Ring of Peace Tolerance" award, November 18, 2021, Cologne-Germany. (The Academy awards personalities who campaign for cross-border dialogue for peace and against racism.)
Prepare:
Xhorxhin Cullhaj
