Most microstates come into being through a quirk of history. Take the Vatican, for example, created in a compromise between the Pope and Mussolini. Or Liechtenstein, for whom, due to its position between Switzerland and Austria, it did not make sense to become part of Germany as did so many other German microstates. These microstates have long histories and, arguably, a reason for their existence. Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, instead wants to simply create a new microstate from scratch.
On September 21st 2024 the creation of the Sovereign State of the Bektashi order was announced. A 0.11 km² plot of land in Tirana, covering about the same area as De Vrijthof, the Law Faculty and SBE, would host it. This came as a complete surprise to both other states, including close NATO allies such as the US, and to the Albanians themselves. The state would act as a promoter for Bektashi Islam, as well as religious moderation and tolerance.
Bektashism is an order within Islam originally from Turkey, but has become dominant in Albania after persecution and expulsion. Elements of pre-islamic religious practices from Turkey are combined with teachings of the Koran, as well as a central role for wise men known as dervishes. Due to an important role in the independence movement from the Ottomans, as well as a tolerance for other religions, Bektashi Islam is held in high regard in Albania, even if only 5 percent of the population follows its teachings.
The proposed state would have its own borders, passports, and laws. It would consist mostly of the pre-existing Bektashi compound buildings, and its citizens would be high religious officials. One should, however, not expect a system of governance based on the traditional norms and values of Islam. Far from, with the current religious leader or Dedebaba, Baba Mondi, who is to be the head of state, stating ‘alcohol is to be allowed and women can wear what they want’. Instead, the state is to promote and give space to a moderate voice of Islam.
‘We are the only ones … who tell the truth about Islam … and don’t mix it up with politics’ says Mondi. The hope is that the independent, sovereign state will be able to spread its message of coexistence of religions without needing to consider the economic or political implications of their actions. It would be a neutral platform for interfaith discussion and exchange, aimed at increasing understanding between parties. And, since the Bektashi order is not a well-known or particularly large religious organization, it will be able to act more freely on an international level than comparable states like the Vatican.
The plans are grand and idealistic. However, in order for them to be implemented, some major hurdles must be overcome. In order for the state to be established, the Albanian constitution would need to be changed, which needs broad political support. The ruling coalition would not have the two-thirds majority required to push through such reforms. Furthermore, the population of Albania and other religious groups have not reacted particularly positively to the announcement. Albanian Sunni Muslim and Protestant leaders found it off-putting that they had not been consulted before, and worried about an artificial imbalance in the religious dynamics of the country. Citizens, taken by surprise, also felt it could be a ploy to distract from domestic issues. Some fear it is a way to enable tax evasion through international law loopholes. Others criticize the idea as being a simple international attention-grab, with no feasible implementation.
Domestic forces are not the only ones standing in the way of the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order. A state in international law must be recognized by other states in order to gain statehood, and it seems unlikely many other states will elect to recognize the new state. Statehood comes with many privileges, and it is expectable that other states don’t want to set a precedent that can be easily abused. A potential solution would be a state modeled after the Military Order of Malta, with limited recognition but a certain degree of international recognition and clout.
Nonetheless, Edi Rama, the Prime Minister, has recognized that he may be called crazy for this idea. Yet, he desires to push on, because ‘the important thing, crazy or not, is to fight for good’. A legal team is drafting a proposal to make the new state a reality, and it is to be seen if that will be successful.
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