Albania is planning to create the world’s smallest, Vatican-style sovereign state within its capital city, Tirana. This proposed 27-acre enclave, about the size of five New York City blocks, would be called the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order and would serve as a symbol of religious tolerance and moderate Islam. The initiative is being spearheaded by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who chose to reveal this plan at the UN General Assembly, catching many off guard with his unconventional proposal. Rama sees the project as a way to showcase Albania’s tradition of religious tolerance and to counter negative stereotypes about Islam, sending the message: “Do not let the stigma of Muslims define who Muslims are.” The Bektashi order, founded in the 13th century in Turkey, is known for its relaxed interpretation of Islamic law and its mystical practices, with strong Alevi influences. Alcohol consumption is allowed and women are not required to veil themselves. The Bektashi order has a long history in Albania. By the end of the 19th century, up to 15 percent of the Albanian population belonged to the order. When Atatürk banned Sufi orders in Turkey, the Bektashi moved their spiritual center to Tirana. However, during Albania’s communist era, all religious activities were banned, and many places of worship were destroyed. The order’s center in Tirana only reopened in 1990. Today, Bektashi make up only around 3 percent of Albanian population, which raises some questions about the viability of such a project based on that specific group.
In Albania, Rama’s announcement has been met with skepticism, mockery, and even outrage. The country’s Sunni Muslim community, the largest religious group, has condemned the plan, arguing that it would be detrimental to religious tolerance rather than beneficial. Critics also take issue with how Rama introduced the project. According to Afrim Krasniqi from the IPS think tank in Tirana, “Rama presented the idea on the international stage without any prior debate in the country,” giving the impression that he can do whatever he wants with the state. Political scientist Ilir Kalemaj of the University of Tirana describes Rama’s approach as “international policy marketing,” suggesting that the move is designed to bring Albania into the international spotlight. The plan for this new state is still in its early stages. A team of legal experts is drafting legislation to define its sovereign status, which will need to be approved by the Albanian parliament. Observers point out that there are significant hurdles to realizing this project. Albania’s current constitution does not allow for initiatives that affect the country’s territorial integrity. While Rama’s Socialist Party could potentially amend the constitution if they win a two-thirds majority in next year’s elections, international recognition of the new state would still be required. Despite these challenges, Kalemaj suggests that Rama has invested too much in this announcement for it to simply fade away without concrete consequences.
(Source: New York Times, September 21; Neue Zürcher Zeitung, September 28)