What do you need to know about the Bektashi order?

The Bektashi Order is a Sufi order and shares much in common with other Islamic mystical movements, such as the need for an experienced spiritual guide—called a baba in Bektashi parlance — as well as the doctrine of “the four gates that must be traversed”: the ” Sharia ” (religious law), ” Tariqah ” (the spiritual path),…

Where are the Bektashis in the United States?

Bektashis continue to be active in Turkey and their semi-clandestine organizations can be found in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. There are currently two rival claimants to the dedebaba in Turkey: Haydar Ercan. A large functioning Bektashi tekke was also established in the United States in 1954 by Baba Rexheb.

What do Bektashis celebrate on Imam Ali’s birthday?

Bektashism is also heavily permeated with Shiite concepts, such as the marked reverence of Ali, The Twelve Imams, and the ritual commemoration of Ashurah marking the Battle of Karbala. The old Persian holiday of Nowruz is celebrated by Bektashis as Imam Ali’s birthday.

Is the Bektashi order a branch of Sunni Islam?

In Albania the Bektashi community declared its separation from the Sunni community and they were perceived ever after as a distinct Islamic sect rather than a branch of Sunni Islam. Bektashism continued to flourish until the Second World War.

Who is the founder of Bektashism in Islam?

Actually, Bektashism is a tariqah-religious order-that is believed to have been founded by Hajji Bektash Wali. However, Bektashism can be called Alawism as its followers are attached to the basic principles of Alawism like affection for Hadrat Ali and the Family of The Prophet, loving the ones who love the Family…

What’s the difference between Bektashi and Alawi Islam?

In Turkey, while every Bektashi is Alawi, not every Alawi is necessarily Bektashi, although they regard Hajji Bektash as the Horosan Saint, and respect him. For this reason, there is a division of Rural Bektashism and Urban Bektashism; while the former is called Alawi, the latter is called Bektashi. (1)

Bektashis continue to be active in Turkey and their semi-clandestine organizations can be found in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. There are currently two rival claimants to the dedebaba in Turkey: Mustafa Eke and Haydar Ercan. A large functioning Bektashi tekke was also established in the United States in 1954 by Baba Rexheb.