Mustafa Xhani | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1910 |
| Died | 18 March 1947 (age 37) |
| Cause of death | Assassinated |
| Nationality | Albanian |
| Known for | Resistance leader during the National Liberation War of the Albanian People. |
| Awards |  Hero of the People |
Baba Faja Martaneshi (1910 - 18 March 1947) was an Albanian Bektashi baba (Sufi) and a resistance leader during the National Liberation War of the Albanian People.
Baba Faja was born Mustafa Xhani in Luz i Madh, Kavajë. He pursued religious studies to become a baba at the tekke of Martanesh, where he acquired the religious name he would become popularly known by. [1] Following the Italian invasion of Albania he led one of the earliest guerrilla bands against the occupiers, denouncing Fascist Italy as anti-Islamic and establishing contacts with the Albanian communist movement, becoming one of the most wanted men in the country in the process. [2] In his memoirs Enver Hoxha wrote that during the war the Baba was "one of those clergy men who wore the cap and the cloak of a dervish, but who had Albania in his heart and in his hand the rifle for its liberation. . . . [he] did not discard his clerical cap and robe, and he was quite right, because in this way he rendered even greater service to the line of the Party and the National Liberation Front for uniting everybody in the war without distinction as to region, or political and religious beliefs." [3] David Smiley described Baba Faja as a likable "scoundrel," who "delighted in singing partisan songs in his deep bass voice, especially after consuming large quantities of raki." [4]
He became a founding member of the National Liberation Front upon its establishment in September 1942, serving on its General Council alongside Enver Hoxha, Myslym Peza and other resistance fighters, and in July 1943 he became a member of the General Staff of the Albanian National Liberation Army. [5] In May 1944 he was elected a Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Anti-Fascist National Liberation Council. [6] After the war he served as a representative from Elbasan in the Constituent Assembly, subsequently becoming Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly. [7]
During the war he asked Hoxha to admit him as a member of the Communist Party; Hoxha supported this move and added "I am sure that you do not believe in religion but believe only in the Party." To this Baba Faja said, "For the Party I shall discard my clerical robes," to which Hoxha replied, "No, you should stick to the robes you wear. This is not a matter of deceiving people, but you wore the religious robes as a priest before the war and before the formation of the Party. Therefore, go on wearing them, because we have to respect the sentiments of believers and utilize the sympathy which the people have for you and the tekke of Martanesh. So, since you are resolutely for the war and love the Party, respect and apply its line, we will admit you as member of the Party." He was subsequently made a member. [8]
In May 1945 he presided over the Fourth Congress of the Bektashi Community, which formally severed relations between the sect and the rest of the Islamic world. [9] As the most prominent Bektashi figure to work with the Communists he led reformers within the sect who advocated allowing the clergy to marry, allowing them to shave their beards and to limit the wearing of religious clothing to ceremonies. On March 18, 1947 the conservative head of the sect, Abaz Hilmi, was confronted by Baba Faja and Baba Fejzo Dervishi (a like-minded reformer) who demanded he accept these policies or else face reprisals from the government. Hilmi then proceeded to shoot both men and commit suicide. [10]
Bektashism is an Islamic Sufi mystic order that originated in 13th-century Anatolia and became widespread in the Ottoman Empire. It is named after the saint Haji Bektash Veli. The Bektashian community is currently led by Baba Mondi, their eighth Bektashi Dedebaba and headquartered in Tirana, Albania. Collectively, adherents of Bektashism are called Bektashians or simply Bektashis.
Rexheb Beqiri, better known by the religious name Baba Rexheb, was an Albanian Islamic scholar and Sufi. He was the founder and the head of the Bektashi Sufi lodge (tekke) located in Taylor, Michigan, United States.
Omer Nishani was an Albanian medical doctor and political figure involved first in the struggle against Ahmet Zogu in the 1920s and 1930s, and then in the struggle against the fascist occupation of Albania during the 1942–44 period, becoming Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly of the People's Republic of Albania in 1946 and serving in this position until 1953.
The National Liberation Movement, also translated as National Liberation Front, was an Albanian communist resistance organization that fought in World War II. It was created on 16 September 1942, in a conference held in Pezë, a village near Tirana, and was led by Enver Hoxha. Apart from the figures which had the majority in the General Council it also included known nationalists like Myslim Peza. In May 1944, the Albanian National Liberation Front was transformed into the government of Albania and its leaders became government members, and in August 1945, it was replaced by the Democratic Front.
The Zall Tekke or Asim Baba Tekke is a Bektashi teqe in Gjirokastër, Albania. It is a Cultural Monument of Albania.
The Tekke of Frashër or Nasibî Tâhir Baba Tekke is a Bektashi shrine and Albanian Bektashi tekke founded in 1781 and registered Cultural Monument of Albania, located in Frashër, Gjirokastër County in southern Albania. The tekke was crucial to the Albanian National Awakening, particularly in the nationalist movements of the late 19th century, and it was one of the wealthiest and revered tekkes in Albania.
Kasim Baba, also Kasem Baba, was a fifteenth century Bektashi religious figure and missionary. In Albania, he is venerated as a Muslim saint.
Haxhi Qamili, born Qamil Zyber Xhameta, was the leader of the 1914–15 revolt in Albania. He was popularly known by his religious name Haxhi Qamili, though he was also known as Baba Qamili.
Islam in the People's Socialist Republic of Albania (1945–1991) covers a period of time when the Communist Party of Albania came to power under Enver Hoxha and exercised almost total control over the Albanian people. The communist government sought to radically overhaul Albanian society by realigning social, cultural and religious loyalties to the communist party through Albanian nationalism in the pursuit of achieving a unitary Albanian identity.
Ali Riza (1882–1944) was the 2nd Dedebaba of the Bektashi Order.
Kamber Ali (1869–1950) was the 3rd Dedebaba of the Bektashi Order. He served as Dedebaba for only several months in 1944, and was arrested by the Communists in December 1944 since he had fought for the Balli Kombëtar. He died in prison in Tirana in 1950.
Xhafer Sadik was the 4th Dedebaba of the Bektashi Order. He served as Dedebaba for only 3 months during the summer of 1945.
Abaz Hilmi was the 5th Dedebaba of the Bektashi Order.
Ahmet Myftar (1916–1980) was the 6th Dedebaba of the Bektashi Order in Islamic Sufi mysticism. He was the final dedebaba to have served during the People's Socialist Republic of Albania.
The World Bektashi Congress, formerly called the National Congress of the Bektashi before the 1990s, is a conference during which leading members of the Bektashi Order make important decisions. It has been held in Albania since 1921.
The Bektashi Order is an Islamic Sufi order that spread to Albania through Albanian Janissaries during the period of Ottoman control in Albania. The Bektashi make up 5% of the country's population. In regards to ethics, the Bektashi adhere to the line "Be master of your hands, your tongue, and your loins" which essentially means do not steal, do not lie or speak idly, and do not commit adultery.
The Teqe of Bulqiza or Tekke of Bulqiza is a Bektashi tekke in the town of Bulqiza. It was founded in the nineteenth century by Baba Fejzë Bulqiza, an important Albanian Bektashi figure in the local Dibra region who opened schools in the surrounding area after returning to Albania in 1827 upon the completion of his religious training in Anatolia. The tekke was first destroyed in 1860, and Baba Fejzë Bulqiza is said to have been killed at this point in time as well, but he has no known grave. A new tekke was raised in his honour around 1900, and thereafter closed in 1967 during the Communist period due to the Albanian communist party's crackdown on religion. After the fall of the communist regime, the Teqe of Bulqiza was reopened as a tyrbe in 1994.
The Teqe of Baba Ali, or Teqe of Baba Abdullah, is a Bektashi tekke in the village of Alipostivan, Qendër Piskovë, Përmet municipality, Albania. It sits upon a hill overlooking the Vjosa valley and the Nemërçka mountain, and the name of Alipostivan itself is said to derive from Ali, post i vendit. The tekke of Baba Ali is known for the preservation and development of Bektashi traditions, particularly in spreading Bektashism to the Deshnica area and along the border villages of Skrapar. Historically, it has cooperated closely with the tekke in Frashër.
The Teqe of Baba Isuf or Teqe of Bllaca is a Bektashi tekke in the village of Bllacë, Dibër. It was founded in the late nineteenth century by Baba Isuf. The tekke has historically been an important centre of learning, known for its patriotic contributions in educating people in the Albanian language during late 19th and early 20th centuries. The tekke's feast day is the 10th of June.
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