Europe may get a Muslim microstate

Europe can get a new miniature state similar to the Vatican State. A minority group of Muslim mystics will get to form their own enclave in Albania's capital Tirana.

» Updated: October 06 2024

» Published: September 24 2024

Europe may get a Muslim microstate
Photo: Envato Elements

It's about approximately ten hectares of land on the eastern outskirts of the city, where the Bektashi Order has had its headquarters for over 100 years.

The site is to be transformed, with the help of the Albanian government, into "a sovereign state, a new center for moderation, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence," said Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama when he appeared at the UN in New York on Sunday.

The Bektashi Order is a Shia Muslim and Sufi community often regarded as a particularly open branch of the world religion. It originated in the early Ottoman Empire but was expelled from there by Turkey's founding father Kemal Atatürk in the 1920s.

It is the fourth largest religious group in Albania and accounts for approximately ten percent of the country's total Muslim population. A larger proportion of followers live in Turkey.

Bektashi Sufists make free interpretations of the Koran, incorporating folk beliefs and supernatural elements, and have historically been persecuted as heretics even by other Muslim denominations.

God does not forbid anything. That is why he gave us the ability to think, says the movement's highest leader Edmond Brahimaj, referred to as Baba Mondi by his followers, to The New York Times.

Prime Minister Rama has created international headlines with this initiative, but he is being criticized at home by opponents who dismiss it as political grandstanding.

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Car Workers Question Impact of
5 MIN READ

Car Workers Question Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Jobs

Elon Musk's Growing Family: Inside
3 MIN READ

Elon Musk's Growing Family: Inside the Secret Paternity Agreements

Prominent Tunisian Critics Sentenced to
1 MIN READ

Prominent Tunisian Critics Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms

US Supreme Court Halts Venezuelan
1 MIN READ

US Supreme Court Halts Venezuelan Deportations After ACLU Appeal

Iran and US Engage in
2 MIN READ

Iran and US Engage in Critical Nuclear Talks in Rome

Milei's Economic Plan: Argentina Eyes
4 MIN READ

Milei's Economic Plan: Argentina Eyes Strongest Growth in 30 Years

Genre image
1 MIN READ

USA Considers Recognizing Crimea as Russian in Peace Deal Talks

Senator Van Hollen Criticizes El
2 MIN READ

Senator Van Hollen Criticizes El Salvador's "Margarita-gate" Stunt

Hezbollah Leader Qassem Vows to
2 MIN READ

Hezbollah Leader Qassem Vows to Retain Arms Despite Pressure

USA to Relocate 1,000 Troops
1 MIN READ

USA to Relocate 1,000 Troops from Syria in Coming Months

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Congo River Boat Fire Leaves 148 Dead, Over 100 Still Missing

Asean Calls on Myanmar Junta
1 MIN READ

Asean Calls on Myanmar Junta to Honor Ceasefire After Earthquake

Judge Blocks Trump's Plan to
1 MIN READ

Judge Blocks Trump's Plan to Cut CFPB Workforce

Australian Fighter for Ukraine Faces
1 MIN READ

Australian Fighter for Ukraine Faces Mercenary Charges in Luhansk

Venice Doubles Tourist Day-Trip Fee
2 MIN READ

Venice Doubles Tourist Day-Trip Fee for Non-Overnight Visitors

Trials Begin for Nearly 200
2 MIN READ

Trials Begin for Nearly 200 Critics of Turkish Regime Protests

Iran Nuclear Talks in Rome
2 MIN READ

Iran Nuclear Talks in Rome Face Doubts and Threats

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over 900 Fallen Soldiers

Veterans and Reservists Rally to
2 MIN READ

Veterans and Reservists Rally to End Gaza Conflict

Genre image
2 MIN READ

Norway's Largest Robbery Figure Found Dead in Oslo Forest

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays
3 MIN READ

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays Ukraine and Moldova Membership

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine
2 MIN READ

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine Leave 11 Dead, Over 100 Injured

China Refutes Claims of Supplying
1 MIN READ

China Refutes Claims of Supplying Weapons to Russia

Severe Weather in Italy Claims
2 MIN READ

Severe Weather in Italy Claims Three Lives, Triggers State of Emergency

Trump Warns of Exiting Ukraine
2 MIN READ

Trump Warns of Exiting Ukraine Talks if Progress Stalls

Florida School Shooter Identified as
1 MIN READ

Florida School Shooter Identified as Having Norwegian Background

EU Officials Use Disposable Phones
1 MIN READ

EU Officials Use Disposable Phones for US Trips Over Spy Concerns

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents
3 MIN READ

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents Facing Severe Hunger Crisis

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave 15 Dead, Including Family in Khan Yunis

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill
2 MIN READ

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill 74, Injure 171, Houthi Movement Reports

Trump Plans UK Visit to
1 MIN READ

Trump Plans UK Visit to Meet King Charles This Autumn

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder
1 MIN READ

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder Charges in CEO's Death

Two Killed, Five Injured in
1 MIN READ

Two Killed, Five Injured in Florida State University Shooting

Red Cross Building in Gaza
1 MIN READ

Red Cross Building in Gaza Damaged by Explosion, ICRC Expresses Outrage

Ukraine Talks to Continue in
2 MIN READ

Ukraine Talks to Continue in London Next Week Following Paris Meeting

USA and Ukraine Set to
1 MIN READ

USA and Ukraine Set to Finalize Mineral Agreement Next Thursday