Albanian PM proposes 'Islamic Vatican' to foster tolerance in Tirana

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced plans to create a Muslim state in Tirana, modelled after the Vatican. According to reports by the "New York Times," the "Islamic Vatican" aims to promote religious tolerance and be based on the Bektashi brotherhood, a Sufi community with a rich tradition.

Prime Minister Edi Rama says he wants to give members of the Bektashi, a Shiite Sufi order, their own Vatican-style enclave as a way of promoting religious tolerance – reports the American daily "New York Times." This initiative seeks to foster religious tolerance, which is a significant move in the culturally and religiously diverse Balkans region.

Rama explained that the state will be dedicated to the Bektashis, members of a Sufi brotherhood that originates from Anatolia in Turkey. This brotherhood relocated its headquarters to Albania at the beginning of the 20th century after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, banned its activities.

Prime Minister Rama plans to create an independent State of the Bektashiyya Brotherhood in Tirana. If established, it would be the smallest state in the world—its area would be around 0.1 square kilometres, roughly one-fourth the size of the Vatican.

The "New York Times" states that the enclave will have a liberal character regarding daily life. Drinking alcohol will be permitted, and women will not be required to follow a specific dress code. The state does not plan to impose strict rules, which aligns with the Bektashi philosophy, as reminded by the leader of the brotherhood, 65-year-old cleric Edmond Brahimaj, known as Baba Mondi.

God does not forbid anything; that is why he gave us minds – said Brahimaj.

This cleric is to lead the new state, which will have its own administration, borders, and green-coloured passports symbolising Islam.

Although Baba Mondi mentioned the need to create small intelligence services due to the state having enemies," there are no plans to establish an army, border guard, or courts. The enclave will, however, include a prayer and meeting hall, a museum presenting the brotherhood’s history, a clinic, archives, and administrative offices.

A group of lawyers drafting laws determining the sovereignty of this unconventional political entity is reviewing the entire project. However, the Albanian parliament, which is under the control of the ruling Socialist Party of Albania, will make the final decisions in this matter.

Despite significant work on the plan, Prime Minister Rama noted that the project remains in its preliminary phase and no formal consultations with NATO members, to which Albania belongs, have yet taken place. It is also unclear whether other countries will recognise the independence of this small state.

This bold initiative by the Albanian Prime Minister, a non-practicing Catholic, could stir many controversies, both internationally and domestically. Nevertheless, its realisation could bring significant changes in the context of religious tolerance and diversity in the region.