" The Economist " magazine has devoted an article to the proposal for the creation of a Bektashi state in Tirana , similar to the Vatican.
"Proud of the liberal side of Islam, known as Bektashism, which is widespread in this corner of the Balkans, the authorities have decided to give the Order its own State, with flag, passport and all," the article says.
The magazine further writes that the new Bektashi country was suddenly announced by Edi Rama, the Albanian Prime Minister, in an interview for the " New York Times ", last month.
Once some legal rules are sorted out, the world will celebrate its 200th place, probably at the end of the year, if anyone knows what has inevitably been called the "Muslim Vatican".
In this article entitled ' Hopes for religious harmony come to life in the Muslim Vatican ', it is pointed out that when Turkey embraced the secular system in the 1920s, Bektash leaders moved to Albania.
The article further notes that their leader, Baba Dede Mondi, calls himself a friend of all, including Israel, whose president he met only last month, hospitality unlikely to be offered in Tehran or Mecca.
Prime Minister Edi Rama also quotes the article regarding the reason for this initiative.
"Precisely because some people in Europe have a problem with the word "Muslim" this is something to do."
As the article points out, not everyone is in favor of giving their enclave to the Bektashi, describing what they see as an attempt at religious invention.
"Many see the Bektashi movement as a tactic of Rama, a great man practically, as a former professional basketball player, but also politically, given that he has been in power for over a decade with few local rivals, in a small country. But the aim is noble, in line with the benevolent ways of the Bektashis", writes The Economist.