Reshat Bardhi

Reshat Bardhi ( born May 4, 1935 in Lusna, Circle Kukes, Albania, † April 2, 2011 in Tirana, Albania) was Dedebaba (wholesale Dede ) of the Sufi order ( tariqa ) of the Bektashi and thus the head of this Muslim community. As such, he resided in the Albanian capital Tirana.

Life

Members Reshat Bardhis took part in the Second World War the anti-fascist resistance struggle of the Albanians. Two of his brothers were partisans. In 1948 the family moved Bardhi to Tirana. The Bardhis were traditionally associated with the Bektashi and so also Reshat grew up in this religious tradition. In Tirana, he participated in the first charitable activities of this religious community. Gradually he was initiated into the religious practice of the Bektashi and devoted himself to theological studies at the same time. At the age of 18, he was in 1953 Dervish.

In the following two years Bardhi completed his military service. Returned to his religious duties, he was in 1956 Baba, leader of a Bektashigemeinde. Since that time, pursuing him the Communist rulers. From 1958 to 1968 he was sitting under the Stalinist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha in a prison camp. Like almost all Albanians who for political or ideological reasons in jail or in the camp, even Bardhi was sent to prison in a Internierungsdorf that he could not leave and where he was forced to work for the rest of his life. Bardhi was mainly used in road construction, quarrying, until he was freed in 1990 after the fall of the regime after more than 32 years.

Reshat Bardhi returned to Tirana and was appointed Dedebaba the Bektashi 1991. Since then he has led this Muslim community. During his 15 -year tenure more than a dozen Tekken could be built in central and southern Albania again or newly established, such as in Tirana, Elbasan at, at Mount Tomorr and in Vlora. According to the tradition of his order to Bardhi sat for peace and religious tolerance a. Among the bishops of the Christian churches and the Sunni mufti in Albania he maintained good contacts. On 18 March 2005, he signed together with the leaders of other religions in Albania with a statement of moral commitment and cooperation.

On April 2, 2011, he died of complications from heart disease.