We could be about to have a new world’s smallest country

Ever heard of the ‘Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order’?

You most likely haven’t, at least not yet. But if all goes to plan, it will soon become the world’s smallest microstate — a Muslim version of the Vatican City (but just a quarter of its size).

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama plans to transform Tirana’s Sufi Bektashi Muslims into a sovereign state to promote ‘moderation, tolerance and peaceful co-existence’.

The 10-hectare patch of land in Albania’s capital will have its own passport, borders, and administration governing religious issues, without Tirana’s involvement.

Albania is roughly 50% Muslim, but just 10% of that population are part of the Bektashi Order. Reflecting the Order’s tolerant Islamic practices, the microstate would permit alcohol and allow everyone to wear what they want.

What is the Bektashi Order?

The Bektashi Order is a mystic Muslim order founded in the Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey) in the 13th century. It is an offshoot of Sufism, a branch of Islam that focuses on spirituality and direct connection with God.

Bektashis are regarded as tolerant, accepting of other religions and philosophies.

The Bektashi Order has been headquartered in Albania since the 1930s, but has members in Turkey and across the Balkans. There are an estimated 20 million Bektashis around the world.

In a speech at the United Nations last week, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama said the goal of the new microstate was to promote the ethos of religious tolerance Albania prides itself on.

The Order praised the plan, saying: ‘Such a historic step aims at recognizing the Beltashi Order as a sovereign, self-governing state, committed to supporting its century-old culture of moderation and spiritual involvement.

‘The new state will aim at nothing but the spiritual leadership.’

How would the proposed microstate work?

If the plans for a Bektashi microstate go ahead, it’s likely that it will be ruled theocratically, similar to the system in the Vatican — the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Vatican is headed up by the Pope, who leads both state and government.

In Albania, the Bektashi microstate would likely be led by the leader of the Bektashis, Haji Edmond Brahimaj Mondi, known as Baba Mondi.

Baba Mondi said of the proposed microstate: ‘For our followers, this isn’t about political power or land acquisition; it’s about solidifying the Bektashi Order’s mission of spiritual moderation and protecting our religious practices.

‘Albania has historically been a beacon of religious coexistence, and this step is a testament to the forward-thinking nature of the Albanian government under visionary leadership of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who recognized the importance of granting us the space to continue promoting peace.

‘For our community worldwide, it is a moment of pride and renewal, strengthening our identity and presence on the global stage.’

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