Baba Mondi

Hajji Baba Mondi
Baba Mondi in 2017
8th Dedebaba of Bektashism
In office 11 June 2011 – present
Preceded by	Reshat Bardhi
Personal life
Born	Edmond Brahimaj (1959-05-19) 19 May 1959 (age 65) Vlorë, Albania
Nationality	Albanian
Signature
Religious life
Religion	Islam
School	Bektashi

Part of a series on Bektashism
Historical figures Haji Bektash Veli Nesimi Balım Sultan Gül Baba
Bektashi Dedebabate Salih Nijazi Ali Riza Dede Kamber Ali Xhafer Sadik Abaz Hilmi Ahmet Myftar Reshat Bardhi Edmond Brahimaj
Bektashi sites Kryegjyshata Haji Bektash Veli Complex Arabati Baba Teḱe Durbalı Sultan Tekke Hasan Baba Tekke Tekke of Melan Tekke of Frashër Zall Tekke Abbas Ali Türbe Tomb of Gül Baba
Events Ashura Nevruz World Bektashi Congress
Countries Bektashism in Albania Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order
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Edmond Brahimaj (born 19 May 1959), commonly known as Baba Mondi, is an Albanian religious leader and the eighth Bektashi Dedebaba (or Kryegjysh) of the Bektashi Order. He is the leader of the Bektashi Muslims.^[1][2] If the planned nation of the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order is approved, Baba Mondi will serve as the head of the country in his role as spiritual leader.^[3]

Edmond Brahimaj was born to devout Bektashi Muslims in Vlorë, Albania. He finished middle school in Vlorë and graduated from the Military Academy. Beginning in 1982, he was an officer in the Albanian People's Army. At the beginning of 1991, he was released from his military duty. After 2 January 1992, he studied at the Dedebabalik and became a dervish on 16 May 1996.^[4]

Following the death of Baba Tahir Emini, the dedelik of Tirana appointed Baba Edmond Brahimaj (Baba Mondi), formerly head of the Turan Tekke [sq] of Korçë, to oversee the Harabati baba tekke in Tetovo, North Macedonia. On 11 June 2011, Baba Edmond Brahimaj was chosen as the head of the Bektashi order by a council of Albanian Babas.^[4]

In 2024, it was announced that Mondi had spoken with Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, about the creation of the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order.^[3]

In an interview following the announcement, Baba Mondi stated that citizenship in the new state would be restricted to clerics and those involved in its administration, similar to the Vatican’s structure. He also expressed his belief that achieving sovereign status would strengthen the Bektashi Order and its ability to combat radical ideologies affecting both the Muslim world and the global community.^[5]

The Bektashi Order expects that the international community will recognize and support its sovereignty due to its advocacy of moderate religious values. Baba Mondi emphasized that many countries, particularly those grappling with religious extremism or tensions, have a vested interest in supporting peaceful and moderate movements like the Bektashi Order. He highlighted that nations such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, which play influential roles in the Islamic world, may see value in supporting the Order’s peaceful Sufi Shia tradition. Additionally, countries like China, facing challenges with militant Islam, could align with the Bektashi Order as a way to counter extremism without deepening divisions. The Order believes that, over time, the international community will recognize the importance of amplifying moderate voices and view the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order as a positive force for global peace, tolerance, and dialogue.^[5]