Baballars and Dervishes of the Alevi-Bektashi community from various Balkan countries have spoken out against the initiative to create a so-called "Bektashi State" in Albania, describing it as a political and spiritual deviation from the teachings of Bektashism.
In a joint statement read on 1 August 2025 in Komotini (Greece), during an event organized by the Secek Minority Education and Culture Association, it was emphasized that Bektashism has never aimed at political power or the creation of state structures. The spiritual leaders criticized the actions of Baba Mondi (Edmond Brahimaj), whom they accused of usurping titles without legitimacy according to tradition and the rules of the faith.
The declaration, translated into several languages, was supported by Halifebaba, Baballars and Dervishes from Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Bosnia and the diaspora. They considered this initiative an attempt to politicize the faith and disrupt the spiritual unity of the Bektashi community.
According to them, the spiritual center of the Bektashis remains the Tekke of Haxhi Bektash Veli in Turkey, and any attempt to build a political structure in the name of faith is invalid and dangerous for peace and religious coexistence in the region.
Full statement:
In activities organized by the Seçek Minority Education and Culture Association, Halifebaba, Baballarë and Dervishe of the Alevi Bektashi community declared in a press conference held on August 1, 2025 at the Chris & Eve hotel in Komotini (Gumenicë), that they are against the so-called Bektashi state, which is allegedly to be proclaimed in Albania, describing it as a political and spiritual deviation from the principles of Bektashism.
At the call of Mehmet Koç Dede, the spiritual leader of the Tekke of Sultan Seyid Ali, Halifebaba and Dervishes from Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries gathered in Gumenica. The statement prepared by Halifebaba and Dervishes was read by the chairman of the Seçek Minority Education and Culture Association, Nexhmedin Kahya. The full press statement follows below.
Response statement for the creation of a “Bektashi State” in Albania
One of the secret activities, which we have long felt in Albania, became public a few months ago with the statement of the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama. According to the news; within the borders of the Albanian state, under the leadership of Baba Mondi (Edmond Brahimaj), efforts have begun to create a Bektashi state in Tirana.
We must emphasize that this initiative is extremely harmful, not only from a religious perspective, but also for regional peace and the multicultural structure. Bektashism for centuries has never aimed to create states, gain political influence or transform faith into a political tool. The steps taken today in this direction are not in line with the essence and historical practice of Bektashism.
First, Baba Mondi's self-proclaimed Dedebaba in Albania is invalid, according to the rules of Bektashism. After the period of Enver Hoxha, Baba Reshat Bardhi, who was sent by the late Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bedri Noyan Dedebaba, as Caliph in Albania, received the title from the highest authority. Mondi, who was then only a dervish, received the title of Baba from Caliph Reshat Bardhi. After Reshat Bardhi's death, no one has received the title of Caliph, so in Albania there is no such thing as a dedebaba, or even a caliph, according to the rules of Bektashism. Mondi's claim to the title of dedebaba is invalid, since not even the lower title of caliph was given to him. This is an irrefutable fact. In other words, this situation is as absurd as a captain being declared a general without being a colonel.
According to the long-standing tradition and rules of Bektashism, our center is the Tekke of Haxhi Bektash Veli, which is today located within the borders of Turkey, and is the Serçeshme of all Alevi Ojaks. This hierarchical system has continued uninterruptedly to this day. Therefore, Mondi’s self-proclaimed “World Leader of the Bektashis” and the attempt to lead a political structure is unacceptable. This claim is invalid not only spiritually, but also structurally and traditionally. Especially in the recent period, photos of Baba Mondi with several people and his relationships are clear evidence of his true intentions.
Even if one day this structure were to be politically accepted and gain an official status from unknown imperialist pressures, it would be worthless to us in the spiritual sense. Moreover, these developments are not simply an internal matter of faith, but also constitute an interference in the internal affairs of the Alevi-Bektashi communities in the region. In this context, there is no “persecution” or “oppression”, as Mondi claims, and the Alevi-Bektashis do not need such a foreign structure. It is enough for everyone to live freely and practice their faith in the place where they live.
We Alevi-Bektashis of Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and other Balkan countries have only a spiritual connection between us. This connection has never turned into material or political influence, and such a thing contradicts the essence of our faith. Bektashism is a Sufi interpretation of Islam, based on the morality of Haxhi Bektash Veliu, scientific thought, away from prejudice and seeing man as the highest value. For centuries, the followers of this faith have lived within a spiritual and hierarchical system, having only spiritual and not material connections. The essence of this journey is loyalty, morality, honesty and respect for human rights. A person who enters this path does not gain permanent Bektashi status without proving every year that he respects these moral principles, and does not violate the rights of others. If these principles are violated, the person leaves the path and is called “deposed”.
For centuries we have been loyal to our states, living without material expectations and connected to each other only spiritually. For us, the Mondi initiative is worthless, because it aims to politicize our faith and divide our spiritual unity.
Another issue is the attempt by some circles, especially in Europe, to present Alevism and consequently Bektashiism, as something outside of Islam. This is unacceptable. Alevism and Bektashiism do not need any such protection. These movements, presented as innocent, open the door to political interference, and bring new problems for the Alevi-Bektashis in the countries where they live. The so-called “Alevism without Ali” project is simply a trap set up by imperialist states to take advantage of this belief. Baba Mondi’s attempt to create a Bektashi state is simply a step in this long-term project.
Alevism-Bektashism is an ethical and mystical interpretation of Islam, widespread in Anatolia and the Balkans. The Quran is its holy book, Muhammad is the prophet, and Ali is the central figure. Any claim outside this framework has no basis, neither religious, nor historical, nor scientific. Our relationship with believers in other countries is only spiritual and religious, without any political or economic influence, and does not pose a threat to national sovereignty. This sensitivity should be correctly understood by everyone.
The declaration was prepared and signed in Turkish, Greek, German, Bulgarian, Macedonian and English.
Spiritual leaders who supported this statement:
Hasan Apti Dede – Spiritual Head of the Tekke of Sultan Seyid Ali (Rhodope, Greece)
Mehmet Koç Dede – Spiritual Head of the Tekke of Sultan Seyid Ali (Rhodope, Greece)
Apti Pencal Dede (Meric, Greece)
Ahmet Pasha Dede (Meric, Greece)
Mustafa Cetin Dede (Edirne, Turkey)
Feridun Özkan Dede (Edirne, Turkey)
Mustafa Uslu Dede (Kocukavak, Bulgaria)
Hysen Öner Dede (Edirne, Turkey)
Yusuf Bajdar Dede (Edirne, Turkey)
Ali Bodur Dede (Kochukavak, Bulgaria)
Mumin Öztürk (Hasköy, Bulgaria)
Dikmen Baba's Tekke:
Zeynel Abedin Tekeshanoski Baba – Spiritual Leader (Prilep, North Macedonia)
Sabedin Jusufoski Halifebaba (Prilep, North Macedonia)
Otman Baba's Tekke:
Erbey Kılıç Baba (Edirne, Turkey)
The Tekke of Sultan Seyid Sucaattin Veli:
Mehmet Demirtaş Dede – Spiritual Leader (Eskişehir, Turkey)
Halil Ibrahim Koz Halifebaba (Silistr, Bulgaria)
Mustafa Cavus Halifebaba (Razgrad, Bulgaria)
Seyid Ali Baba (Silistr, Bulgaria)
The Tekke of Haxhi Bektash Veliu:
Ali Haydar Ercan Dedebaba – World Leader of the Bektashis (Izmir, Turkey)
Haji Dursun Gümüşoğlu Halifebaba (Istanbul, Turkey)
Gyrkan Özen Halifebaba (Ankara, Turkey)
Nevruz Akpinar Halifebaba (Tekirdağ, Turkey)
Salim Öztürk Halifebaba (Kırklareli, Turkey)
Kazim Balaban Baba (Vienna, Austria)
Halim Özgur Savaşçi Baba – Spiritual Head of the Sarë Saltëk Tekke (Munich, Germany)
Also with the support of the Baballars, Dervishes and Muhibs within the hierarchy.
