NYTimes: Albania to build a state within a state for Bektashis
2024-09-21 15:27:03
TiranaPost
"Albania is planning a new Muslim state inside its capital": In a long article, the New York Times details the initiative.
It is a Vatican-style enclave to be governed by the Bektashis. At least this is the hope of the cleric who is preparing to lead it, Edmond Brahimaj known as Baba Mondi, the main leader of the Bektashi.
If all goes according to plan, the world's smallest country will allow alcohol, let women wear whatever they want, and impose no lifestyle rules.
"God doesn't stop anything, that's why he gave us the mind", says Baba Mondi in the interview, explaining how he intends to lead the 11 hectares of land that Albania wants to turn into a sovereign state with its own administration, passports and borders.
"All decisions will be made with love and kindness," he adds.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama explained to the NYTimes that he intends to announce in the near future the plans for the entity, which will be called the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order.
The territory of the proposed new Islamic state is a compound in a residential neighborhood east of Tirana. It is only a quarter of the size of the Vatican, currently the smallest country in the world, ruled by the Pope, an absolute monarch.
A team of international legal experts is drafting the legislation that defines the sovereign status of the new state within Albania and this will have to be approved by the Parliament.
