Albanian Prime Minister’s plan to create the first independent Islamist state in Tirana is mentioned in a report published today by the Hurriyet newspaper.
According to the publication, Rama’s plans involve the “Bektassis,” a modern expression of Islamism, and are based on the Vatican model.
As noted, the Bektashi are a Shiite Sufi order founded in Türkiye in the 13th century.
Rama, who met with Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the “Turkish house” in New York, it is not known if they discussed these plans, spoke to the New York Times and claimed that the announcements would be made in 2025 with the aim of “promoting a tolerant Islam that Albania will be proud of.”
The plan calls for the creation of a state on a 109-acre site in Tirana with residents who would have their administration and passports, as is the case with the Vatican.
The decree has been drafted, according to the Turkish newspaper, by a group of lawyers – including experts in international law – to be approved in parliament.
If it becomes a reality, the new state will be run by Bektashi dervish Edmond Brahimaz, also known as Baba Mondi.
The main characteristic of the new state will, according to him, be tolerance. As he states “Allah does not forbid anything. There will be no ban on alcohol, women will dress as they like, and there will be a small security force but no army, courts, and border guards. We deserve a state. We are the only ones who speak the truth about Islam.”
