Baba Mondi
Mondi | |
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 Mondi in 2017 | |
| 8th Dedebaba of Bektashism | |
| Assumed office 11 June 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Reshat Bardhi |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Edmond Brahimaj 19 May 1959 |
| Signature | .svg){kind=small} |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
| School | Bektashi |
| Part of a series on Bektashism |
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Edmond Brahimaj (Albanian: Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, born 19 May 1959), commonly known as Baba Mondi, is an Albanian religious leader and the eighth Bektashi Dedebaba (or Kryegjysh) of the Bektashi Order. He is the leader of the Bektashi Sufi order.[1][2] If the planned nation of the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order is approved, Baba Mondi is slated to serve as the head of the country in his role as the order's spiritual leader.[3]
Early life
[edit]Edmond Brahimaj was born to devout Bektashi Muslims in Vlorë, Albania. He finished middle school in Vlorë and graduated from the Military Academy. Beginning in 1982, he was an officer in the Albanian People's Army. At the beginning of 1991, he was released from his military duty. After 2 January 1992, he studied at the Dedebabalik and became a dervish on 16 May 1996.[4]
Bektashi leadership
[edit]Following the death of Baba Tahir Emini, the dedelik of Tirana appointed Baba Edmond Brahimaj (Baba Mondi), formerly head of the Turan Tekke of Korçë, to oversee the Harabati baba tekke in Tetovo, North Macedonia. On 11 June 2011, Baba Edmond Brahimaj was chosen as the head of the Bektashi order by a council of Albanian Babas, succeeding Reshat Bardhi.[4]
In 2024, it was announced that Mondi had spoken with Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, about the creation of the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order.[3]
In an interview following the announcement, Baba Mondi stated that citizenship in the new state would be restricted to clerics and those involved in its administration, similar to the Vatican’s structure. He also expressed his belief that achieving sovereign status would strengthen the Bektashi Order and its ability to combat radical ideologies affecting both the Muslim world and the global community.[5]
The Bektashi Order expects that the international community will recognize and support its sovereignty due to its advocacy of moderate religious values. Baba Mondi emphasized that many countries, particularly those grappling with religious extremism or tensions, have a vested interest in supporting peaceful and moderate movements like the Bektashi Order. He highlighted that nations such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, which play influential roles in the Islamic world, may see value in supporting the Order’s peaceful Sufi Shia[6] tradition. Additionally, countries like China, facing challenges with militant Islam, could align with the Bektashi Order as a way to counter extremism without deepening divisions. The Order believes that, over time, the international community will recognize the importance of amplifying moderate voices and view the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order as a positive force for global peace, tolerance, and dialogue.[5]
Baba Mondi is a proponent of interfaith dialogue and has leveraged his leadership to promote the involvement faith-based communities in addressing global challenges. In May 2016, he met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, in the first ever visit there by a Bektashi leader[7] as well as any Albania religious figure.[8] Baba Mondi held a second meeting in the Vatican with Pope Francis in January 2025, in which the leaders signed the Document on Human Fraternity (the Abu Dhabi declaration).[9] The pope also expressed support for the proposed Bektashi state, calling it a "beautiful initiative".[10] He has utilised other foreign trips to develop friendly ties with a range of religious communities and individual leaders, such as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in Istanbul[11] and various Christian denominational heads in Romania.[12]
Within Albania, Baba Mondi often meets with leaders of other religious faiths and denominations, such as Christian Orthodox, Episcopal, and Evangelical movements[13][14] and the Jewish community.[15] In January 2026, he was elected for a year-long term as the chairman of the Presidency of the Interreligious Council of Albania.[13]
References
[edit]- ↑ Read Secret Practices of the Sufi Freemasons Online by Baron Rudolf von Sebottendorff | Books.
- ↑ "Baba Mondi (one who opens doors)". Kamerades. 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
- 1 2 Higgens, Andrew (21 September 2024). "Albania Is Planning a New Muslim State Inside Its Capital". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- 1 2 Shenjtë, Selia e. "HeadFather Hajji Dede Edmond Brahimaj". Kryegjyshata Boterore Bektashiane. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
- 1 2 "Exclusive Interview with the Head Father of the Bektashi Order: A New Sovereign State for Peace and Tolerance (English version)". Shqiptarja.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ↑ Farrell, Stephen (29 August 2007). "50 Die in Fight Between Shiite Groups in Karbala". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ↑ Shenjtë, Selia e (10 May 2021). "Today, 5 years since Pope Francis met with the Bektashi World Leader". Kryegjyshata Boterore Bektashiane. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ Samardzi, Ferdinand (16 May 2016). ""I hosted a good friend from Albania in the house of God in the Vatican"". BalkanWeb. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ "Baba Mondi, in the Vatican/ Message from Pope Francis: Relations with the Bektashi community, an asset for all of us". CNA. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ "Historic meeting between Pope Francis and Global Bektashi leader". Albanian Times. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ Grease, Charlie W. (26 April 2025). "Portrait - Baba Mondi: A Bridge of Faith". The European Times. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ "Baba Mondi's historic visit to Romania, Samardzija recounts interesting details: Interfaith dialogue for security and peace in the region". Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Baba Mondi takes office as Chairman of the Presidency Board of the Interreligious Council of Albania". CNA. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ "President Meta and Catholic and Orthodox religious leaders visit the Bektashi Patriarchate, congratulate Baba Mondi on the holiday of Eid al-Adha". Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ Shenjtë, Selia e (29 October 2020). "World Leader His Grace Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj with representatives of the Jewish association and community". Kryegjyshata Boterore Bektashiane. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
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