A new state is to be created, which will be the smallest in the world – with an area only one-fourth the size of the Vatican

A new state is to be created, which will be the smallest in the world, with an area only one-quarter the size of the Vatican.

Albania plans to create a sovereign Sufi-Bektashi Muslim microstate within the borders of the capital, Tirana, the country’s Prime Minister Edi Rama announced.

It will have its own passport, borders and administration regulating religious matters, without interference from Tirana.

This small enclave will be the political home for Bektashi Muslims – the fourth largest religious community in Albania, after Sunni Muslims, Orthodox Christians and Catholics.

The order was founded in the 13th century in the Ottoman Empire and is considered a tolerant, mystical branch of Islam, open to other religions and philosophies.

Some of the country’s most important leaders moved to Albania after being expelled from Turkey by the founding father of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in the early 20th century.

“Our inspiration is to support the transformation of the Bektashi World Centre in Tirana into a sovereign state, a new centre of moderation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence,” Rama told the UN General Assembly in New York on Sunday.

In Albania, Bektashis make up about 10 percent of the country’s Muslim population, according to the 2023 census.

The Bektashi Order in Tirana praised the decision in a statement, which read: “The sovereignty of the Bektashi Order is an important step towards strengthening the values ​​of inclusiveness, religious harmony and dialogue in an increasingly divided world.”

“This historic step aims to recognize the Beltashi Order as a sovereign, self-governing state, committed to upholding its century-old culture of moderation and spiritual commitment,” it added.

Citizenship of the new state of about 10 hectares (25 acres) will be limited to members of the clergy and those involved in state administration.

The government will be headed by the Bektashi leader, Baba Mondi, while religious and administrative activities will be supervised by a council.

The Order will be given the same sovereignty as the Vatican, managing its religious and administrative affairs independently of Albania.

Mr. Rama added: “Albanians are also proud to give the world Mother Teresa, who “embodied love for humanity.”

“She told us that not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love.”

“This is our inspiration to support the transformation of the Bektashi World Order into a sovereign state in our capital, Tirana, as a new center of moderation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.”

The Bektashi Order was born in the Ottoman Empire in the 13th century and gained political importance in the 15th century.

This happened after the order gained dominance in the Janissary Corps, an elite infantry unit that comprised the household army of the Ottoman Sultan.

After the establishment of the Turkish Republic, its leader Kemal Ataturk banned religious institutions that were not part of the Directorate of Religious Affairs, and the seat of the Bektashi community was moved to Albania, where it became involved in politics.

One of its members, Ismail Qemali, declared Albania’s independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.