The Bektashi World Headquarters and the Quarter Bektashi of Vlora, under the special care of the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, organized today, on May 30, 2021, at 10:00, an activity related to the inauguration of the Bektashi shrine, in the blessed tekke of Golimbas – Vlora.
The rebuilding of this shrine with the remains of the clerics of the tekke, is a significant event for every Bektashi believer of Vlora and all of Albania. The commemoration of this event marked today is another appreciation for the generations of clergy, dervishes and fathers of Haxhi Bektashi, who, during their holy journey, also faced the denial of the right to faith, being deprived of imprisonment. , internments, persecutions and even shootings.
But they rose above all these difficulties, with the indomitable spirit of patriotism, with the hope in God and through innumerable sacrifices kept the honor of the Albanians intact, leading the religious and patriotic mission of the peaceful Bektashi faith.
Also present at this event were the Prefect of Vlora Region, Mr. Flamur Mamaj, high state personalities, social, clergy and many believers.
The greeting of the Bektashi World Leader, Dede Edmond Brahimaj, his Holiness , was received with adoration and created a friendly, social and trusting atmosphere, which continued throughout the activity. “It is a special honor and pleasure for me to take part in this activity related to the building of the shrine in the blessed tekke of Golimbas and allow me, as the Bektashi World Leader, to thank you for your presence. May the Lord, the unforgettable memories of our fathers and dervishes, beautify our days and our lives! The Bektashi tekke of Golimbas dates back to the mid-19th century, adding to the mosaic of the tekkes of Kanina, Kuzum-Baba, Kuçi, Smokthina and the Crown of the Mountain and gathering Bektashi benefactors on both sides of the Vjosa River, especially from those of Kudhës-Gërhot and Upper Mallakastra. Especially at the beginning of the 20th century, with the arrival here of the prominent cleric and patriot, father Sali Matohasani, the Golimbas tekke will become a warm hearth for the spread of the Albanian language. Albanian primers coming from Sofia and Constanta, always through secret routes, became objects loved by the children of this region, who along with the first knowledge of God and the Nation, received the blessings of father Sali Matohasani and father Shuaip Aliaj . But as has been said in Albanian historiography, the Golimbas tekke would play a very important role in Vlora in the years 1910-1912, when our autonomist movement would be at its peak. In 1910, two new dervishes were added to the tekke, Bektash Aliaj and Rakip Sadiku, who in the spirit and example of father Shuaip, would carry on their shoulders not only the customary codes of our tariqat, but also the weight of national events. The square of the Golimbas tekke would host in the years 1910-1912, brave men of Kudhës-Gërhot, who would further undertake important actions against the Ottomans. Such as: Kanan Maze, Pasho Karafili, Hodo Mahilaj, Xhelal Aliu, Belul Mustafaj, Boro Kapaj, etc., would remain faithful to the words given in the square of the tekke until their last breath. The raising of the flag in Vlora, in November 1912, would find the father and the two dervishes of the Golimbas tekke in Kuzum-Baba and the Kanina tekke, giving their contribution in those difficult days for all of Albania. The Bektashi clerics were the first to bless the flag raised by Ismail Qemali, recalling thousands of followers of the tariqah, Haxhi Bektash Veliu, who said that “Bektashis have an obligation to defend the homeland.” But even after raising the flag, our troubled Albania could not find peace. Greeks on one side, Italians and Serbs on the other, rushed to tear down the borders of the nascent State. At this moment, the Bektashi clerics and believers of Kudhës-Gërhotit, gathered as a single fist, against the Italian policies that demanded the annexation of our lands. The tekke of Golimbas, again convened the assemblies of prominent men and myhibs, who manifested with deeds and words, the pure Albanianism of this region. It was for this reason that in the spring of 1916, forces of the Italian military command arrived at the Golimbas tekke, “advising” the clergy here to give up their position. But that could not happen at all. Three or four months later, (according to the documents of the Albanian State Archive) dervishes Bektash Aliaj and dervishes Rakip Sadiku were arrested and sent to internment camps in Sicily, along with dozens of other Vlora patriots. According to the evidence that has come so far to our day, the two-year stay of these two Bektashi clerics in labor camps in Sicily, is a valuable example not just for generations of our believers, but all Albanians. In addition to heavy physical labor and spiritual violence, these dervishes of Haxhi Bektashi would also face denial of the right to believe. But they rose above all these difficulties, with the unwavering spirit of the Vlora people, with the hope in God the Exalted and through countless sacrifices kept the honor of the Albanians and the Bektashi intact. Even in those miserable conditions, dervish Bektashi and dervish Rakipi kept mourning and cooking ashura, astonishing with their religious self-denial. In the years that followed, another dervishes would be added to the Golimbas tekke, Arshi Bazaj, who had taken over from father Ahmet Turani and had grown up with the spirit of the Bektashi dervishes. Energetic by nature, set in the path of Hak, faithful to the most valuable traditions of the Vlora River Province, dervish Arshiu would carry in those years a significant weight of religious and human obligations of the tekke. This blessed place would flourish day by day, and even the other holy place in the Crown of the Mountain would come to life, where around the tomb of father Hamza, pilgrims from all over the South of Albania would go. Even in the difficult years of the Second World War, the Golimbas tekke, like all our tekkes, received and escorted freedom fighters, regardless of political affiliation, be they national liberation fighters or nationalists. Father Bektashi, dervish Rakipi and dervish Arshiu, always had in their attention, God and Homeland, doing what was possible to preserve the purity of the perfect Bektashi family, but also the outstanding traditions of generosity and patriotism of the Vlora River . Sisters and brothers! 60 years ago, father Bektash Aliaj, seeing how faith in God was being controlled and anathema by the regime, anticipating the blow that the tekkes would receive, sacrificed himself. After him, dervish Rakipi would close his eyes, while the torch of Haxhi Bektash Veliu would be kept lit in the United States of America, dervish Arshi Bazaj, who until the end of his life, would not forget this place, where we are gathered today. “The truth delays but does not forget,” says our people. The Golimbas tekke was demolished but the day came for it to be rebuilt and, hopefully to God, to be filled with Bektashi believers as it once was. I am thankfull today to all those who contributed spiritually and materially to the rebuilding of the tomb with the remains of the clerics of the tekke and especially to our revered mother Aisha, who served with the wisdom and compassion of Vlora mothers, dervish Bektashi and dervish Rakipi , until they left this life. Thanks also go to Nebi Aliaj, Novruz Aliaj, Hysen Aliaj, Drini Dapaj, Kapaj brothers, Sotir Vesho, Përparim Shameti, Edmond and Agim Aliaj, who did everything possible to rebuild this tomb and return it to the tekke of Golimbas in a modest way, its former splendor. We and future generations will always be grateful to everyone who confesses his devotion to the Creator. Let me once again thank you for coming to share the joy of this day together, which from now on will be fixed as a day of pilgrimage for every Bektashi believer of Vlora and all of Albania. “
The Prefect of Vlora Region, Mr. Flamur Mamaj, who highly appreciates the role of Bektashism in this region, focusing in particular on the tekke of Golimbas and the work of father Bektash Aliaj and dervish Rakip Sadiku. He thanked the Grandfather, Dede Edmond Brahimaj, for the constant care in evoking such events that do honor to the area of Kudhës-Gërhot.
While the President of the Nationwide Association “Laberia” Prof. Dr. Ago Nezha after the greeting in question, handed over to the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj “The Gratitude of Labëria” for father Bektash Aliaj, with the motivation for his outstanding national and religious work, for the stoic stay in the internment camps in Sicily, as well as for the holy spirit he spread to generations of Bektashi believers.
At the end was the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, who handed over to Mrs. Haishe Aliaj the gratitude of the Bektashi Holy See with the motivation “For its services in the Golimbas tekke and the outstanding contribution of keeping alive the faith in God, from 1967 until today.”
Sevaster polyphonic group made this day even more enjoyable, which was fixed in the calendar of the Holy See, as a day of pilgrimage.
