Bismilahi Rrahmani Rrahim!
In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful!
Dear brothers, clerics and Bektashi believers!
Today we share together, the marked day of the 220th anniversary of the founding of the Shtuf tekke, one of the great patriotic and religious centers of Gjirokastra and all of Southern Albania.
Today we are all there in spirit, in that famous tekke, which stands proudly in front of the city, proving that it is a worthy part of its history.
Of course we would like to be together even physically, to exchange conversations with each other, to pray near the tombs so dear to all. But the difficult times we are going through, the pandemic that is endless and the increase of sick cases in recent days, forces us to be unable to gather physically. Thus we will continue to offer our prayers from the soul, on the work fronts where we are in full confidence that such joys and jubilee celebrations will be celebrated even better in the days to come.
As I mentioned above, the Shtuf tekke in Gjirokastra has a long history. In the first days and years when it was opened, that tekke would show faith in God, through the philosophy of the Prophet Muhammad a.s, the perfect example and work of our twelve pure Imams, as well as the proverbial wisdom of Haji Bektash Veliu. Together with the mosques and churches of the historic city, the tekke would not only complement the magnificent religious mosaic, but would also make a valuable contribution in the context of cultivating religious harmony and tolerance.
Regarding its role in the Albanian communist movement, I believe that the historiography of world and Albanian Bektashism have said their word. I want to recall today only one saying of the philosopher and deep mystic, father Rexhebi who grew up in this city and which is often expressed literally: Kardhiqi, the charming father Sulejmani, together with father Zenel Gjoksi, who have played a great role in the efforts for the freedom of Albania, so much so that they were imprisoned, controlled and destroyed so many times by the Turks… “
Burned and destroyed by the Turks, Greeks and Italians it was rebuilt several times, adorning the hill of the city ostrich with the bounties bestowed by the Bektashi dervishes and fathers. Thus, until the bad year 1967, when it was destroyed by the hands of atheist Albanians. However, the myhibs and lovers of the tekke maintained their unwavering faith in God and Haji Bektash Veliu, proving that this love is eternal.
Today the glory of the past is being restored to the Shtufi’s tekke. There are hundreds of believers who go there and marvel at the tekke, which is laying on its former foundations. Thanks to our help as the Holy Bektashi Headquarters, but also to the devotion and care of Father Skënder Dervishi, thanks to the generous help of dozens of believers, very soon we will gather together to enjoy the new facilities of this tekke.
Let us bring this blessed day as close as possible!
God help us all!
Amin!
THE WORLD GRANDFATHER OF THE BEKTASHIS
HIS GRACE
HAXHI DEDE EDMOND BRAHIMAJ
