The Bektashi World Leader, His Grace Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, together with the Council of the tekke of Baba Isufi Bllaca, headed by Father Halili with the participation of local government authorities, many believers and benefactors of Bektashism, held today, on June 10, 2021, a pilgrimage to: “Tekke of Father Isuf Bllaca”, on the occasion of the 221st anniversary of its founding.
The 10th of June is a special joy for all Bektashi believers, as it is associated with the symbol tekke, of Bektashism, of wisdom for all areas of Dibra, Bulqiza, Kruja and up to martyred Kosovo. This date has already become a tradition of celebration and pilgrimage in Bllaca and in the official calendar of the Bektashi World Headquarters is known as the day of the “Tekke of Father Isuf Bllaca”.
As everywhere in the history of Bektashism, the tekke of Bllaca has always conveyed the love for God and the Ahl al-Bayt.
During his speech, the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, among others said: “Let me greet you on this marked day and bring you the best wishes, on behalf of the Headquarters of Holy See of Bektashi World Headquarters. The tekke of Bllaca, carries its own history, the glorious history of unwavering faith in God, but also of boundless love for these lands. Today this day reminds you when centuries ago he climbed here in Bllaca, the pure faith of Haxhi Bektash Veliu, because it will be deeply rooted not only in your memory but in the memory of all Albanian people. The history of its founding for the first time, is related to father Sufa, first from the Tasha tribe of the village of Bllaca, in 1800. He was with rare virtues and had the gift of holiness. Hewas dressed in Haxhi Bektash Father uniform. He had connections with the tekkes of Dibra e Madhe, Tetovo with his father Fejzë Bulqiza. He opened the first mejtep in Bllaca, in the mid-1830s. But the measures taken by the Ottomans after 1826, in the persecution of the Bektashis, the tekke was destroyed. For a long time it did not work. It was rebuilt in the first foundations, in 1893 and the shrine of father Sufa I, by father Sufa II. The young Father Sufa has played a great role in the spread of Bektashism in the region of Dibra, learning the Albanian language, contributing to the national renaissance. Even today, his sayings are remembered: “My boy, with school you will see even at night!” In the tekke in 1908 he opened the first Albanian school. He was persecuted by the Turkish and Serbian authorities, died in 1915. The tekke was burned down in 1923, rebuilt by father Zenjeli from Skrapar in 1930. He was an organizer who enriched the tekke and brought many believers and benefactors to Bektashism from Dervish Abdulla Gurra until 1940. Served Dede Ahmeti 1938. Several fathers and dervishes continued to work in this tekke such as: father Muharrem Metalla (1950-1954), father Xhemal Rapush Dinollari (1954-1963) until 1967. The tekke was destroyed by the monist state in 1967 and reopened in 1995 and was run by Father Ismail Jangulli with extraordinary dedication and revived this wonderful tekke we have today. We are grateful to him and honor him even today, on this day marked for the work he left. We remember with boundless respect and love, the honored clergyman Father Ismail Jangulli. Dear believers of Bllaca, Shupenxa, Dibra, Bulqiza, Zerqan, Martanesh! You should feel proud of the Bllaca tekke. Your parents have kept this tekke a float even in the most difficult years as you contribute wholeheartedly today. We will have this trust and support today and forever. On this occasion I want to thank father Halil Curri and secretary Bektash Jangulli, who are working and continuing the tradition of this tekke with great history and the path of father Ismail Jangulli. We are filled with hope because God Almighty will reward you in your families with joy! You respect these tombs and these clerics because you respect a wonderful faith. “
