TIRANA, March 22 – Bektashi spiritual leader Baba Mondi said this year marks the 35th anniversary of the reopening of the World Bektashi Headquarters. The milestone also reflects the restoration of freedom of Bektashi belief in Albania. He delivered the message during Sultan Nevruz celebrations, highlighting the spiritual significance of the day.

“This day offers an opportunity to reflect on the virtues that guide us,” Baba Mondi said. He urged believers to strengthen their connection with God and to cultivate love and respect for one another. Moreover, he stressed that this anniversary carries special meaning for the Bektashi community. It symbolizes the revival of faith and tradition after difficult periods.

Baba Mondi cited the words of Haxhi Bektash Veliu to underline core values. He said the essence of Bektashi belief lies in love and care for others. “Whoever does not see himself in others does not see God in himself,” he said. Therefore, he added, compassion and solidarity reflect deep spiritual faith. He also described the anniversary as evidence of resilience and collective effort across generations.

Sultan Nevruz marks the Bektashi New Year and coincides with the birth of Imam Ali in the Kaaba. Globally, the Alevi community recognizes it as a day of Bektashi nobility and renewal. It symbolizes rebirth, hope, and a new beginning for humanity. In Albania, authorities declared the day a national holiday in 1996. The Bektashi community remains concentrated in the south, while maintaining a broad presence across the country.

/a.p./