Bektashi Order prepares for sovereign statehood in Tirana

Preparations are underway to establish a sovereign Bektashi Order state in Tirana, Albania, a project originally proposed by Prime Minister Edi Rama at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024. The proposed enclave is expected to cover approximately 11 hectares, roughly one-quarter the size of Vatican City.

Reports indicate that the Bektashi community is working on institutional structures and international representation. Potential state symbols under consideration include a new currency, the ‘bek’, which may be indexed to the price of gold, and the issuance of Bektashi passports. The community has also begun appointing international representatives, including an ambassador-general and a representative for the United States.

The initiative has faced significant criticism. Opponents argue the project lacks transparency and may violate the Albanian Constitution, which defines the Republic of Albania as a unitary and indivisible state. Religious organizations, including the Muslim Community of Albania, have expressed concerns that the move could incite religious division and favoritism, potentially disrupting the country's existing interfaith harmony.