The Bektashi Order is a dervish sect that fuses elements of predominantly Shia and Sufi thought into a unique blend of Islamic belief and philosophy. Founded by Balim Sultan (1457-1517) and named in honour of the Muslim mystic Haji Bektash Veli (1209-1271), the Bektashi, who traditionally attracted people from all classes of life, were found throughout the Ottoman Empire and had among their Balkan followers the Albanian national heroes Ali Pasha and Naim Frashëri. Banned briefly by the Ottoman authorities in 1826, the Bektashi Order re-emerged later in the 19th century only to be outlawed again by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk soon after the foundation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, an event that led them to move their headquarters to Albania in 1925. The fabulous Bektashi World Centre features an impressive tekke, with a fascinating museum in its basement and a small gift shop with Bektashi-related souvenirs. Admission is free, but you may be asked to leave ID at the entrance. Interestingly, this religious centre made international headlines in 2024 when the Albanian prime minister suggested turning it into a tiny Muslim enclave state, like the Vatican.
Near Tirana there are a number of tekkes but only a few of them can be visited. In Kruja, the Dollma tekke is in the grounds of the citadel and is often open. Apart from that Kruja also has the tekkes of Sheshem Babi, Father Hussain Jahja, Sari Salltik and Vele. In Elbasan there is the Great Tekke of Father Xhevai Fakri and the tekke of Father Xhemal. Visits to these tekkes can be arranged via the World Centre.