Who is trying to disband the Bektashi Community in Albania?

2025-10-17 08:51:00, Opinione Atë Grigor Pelushi

Recently, I have been following with great concern the attacks that are taking place against the highest spiritual representative of the venerable Bektashi Community in Albania, manifested in various forms, especially on social networks, which in recent years have been occupying the attention of society to a large extent. This reminds me of the same insidious attempt for several decades against the blessed Archbishop Anastas.

In the spiritual and cultural history of Albania, the Bektashi Community has occupied a special place, serving not only as a bridge between Faiths, but also as a support for national values, tolerance and coexistence. As a branch of Sufism with deep roots in Albanian tradition, Bektashiism has been a unifying factor for decades, especially in moments when our national identity has been put to the test (I recall the years 1912, 1915, 1920).

However, in recent years, there have been evidence of organized efforts, deliberate or disguised as “religious criticism,” to attack the unity and integrity of this community. The purpose of these attacks seems to be deeper than a religious debate – it is about weakening an institution that represents a historical, religious, and national heritage that has withstood the test of time and its challenges.

Why is the World Grandmaster of the Bektashi Order, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, being attacked?

The World Patriarch of the Bektashis, as the highest and most representative figure of this community, has become the target of these attacks not only for his religious position, but for the influence he exercises in preserving Bektashi unity worldwide. With its headquarters in Tirana, the World Patriarchate, Albania represents the spiritual center of this global community. This reality for some actors – both inside and outside the country – may be a concern for various reasons: political, ideological, religious or geopolitical.

By attacking the figure of the Patriarch, the aim is to weaken the moral and spiritual authority of the institution, and through it, to incite an internal crisis that could lead to discord and dissolution.

Who is behind these efforts?

The precise identification of the perpetrators of these attacks is difficult, because they often come indirectly, through media channels, self-styled "paid" "analysts", or even through infiltrated elements who incite discord from within. However, we can mention several possible categories that may have an interest in weakening the Bektashi Community:

1. Radical religious groups – Bektashism, due to its open, tolerant and spiritual nature, conflicts with more rigid, dogmatic or literalist doctrines that seek religious dominance in society. For them, Bektashism constitutes a cultural and ideological obstacle.

2. Geopolitical actors – As a world religious center, located in a secular country like Albania, the Bektashi Patriarchate represents a rare autonomy in the Islamic world. This may be of concern to states or structures that aim to establish control over Muslim communities through political and religious influence.

3. Internal actors with personal interests – It is not excluded that within the community itself there are individuals who are disappointed, used, or motivated by personal ambitions who, instead of contributing to Bektashi unity, help undermine it.

What is the real purpose?

The ultimate goal of these efforts is not simply the Kryegyjshi as an individual, but the destruction of a spiritual and cultural axis that constitutes an irreplaceable element in the Albanian identity. The destruction of this community would be the loss of a rare tradition of coexistence, a spiritual heritage with deep roots in our national history – from the period of the National Renaissance, to support for the liberation struggle, and to the role it plays in maintaining social peace today.

In conclusion, we can say that, at a time when the world is facing deep religious and cultural divisions, the presence of communities like the Bektashi in Albania is a treasure that must be protected, preserved and respected. Any attempt to attack or disintegrate this community is not only an attack on a religion or institution, but on Religious Pluralism itself and the rich cultural identity of Albania.

Note: "the writing expresses the author's personal point of view."/ CNA