Today is the day of the pilgrimage to the tekke of father Skënder, in Lushnja.
Father Skënder's tekke is located in the city of Lushnja, Administrative Unit, City of Lushnja, Municipality of Lushnja. Historical sources give early missionaries, who came to Lushnja and left traces. In this area, as well as in the surrounding areas, Lushnja, Rrogozhina, Kavaja, Peqin, Elbasan and Gramsh, there were churches, mosques, tombs and tekkes.
The fact that from centuries ago are mentioned: tekke in Çermë-Shkumbin, tekke of Matjani in Garunjë, Good places in Karbunarë e Sipërme, Mollas, small tekke in the city of Lushnja, neighborhood tekke, etc., so in the whole area of Lushnja, tells the widespread presence of the Bektashi faith.
In the years 1860-1870, in Lushnjë was opened the school Mejtepe (Ottoman religious primary school) while in Karbunarë, such a school was opened a few years ago. After 1870, Lushnja began to stand out as the center and take on the appearance of a city. In 1870, the tekke of father Skënder was established, where today we have his tomb inside the city. This is a significant fact, for the radiation and messages given by Father Skënderi on the Bektashi faith, not only in the center of Lushnja, but also beyond. Religious ceremonies such as Eid Mubarak, Sultan Nevruzi, matem, ashura, have remained alive in the memory of the believers and lovers of the city of Lushnja. In the years 1894-1896, the Kaze Center of Myzeqe (sub-prefecture), passed from Karbunara to Lushnja. The tekke was destroyed early. After the 1990s, a beautiful tomb was built (where today is the bar of "Met Çela"), where the Çela family serves this holy place today.
Prepared by:
Nuri ÇUNI