Data and Expertise on Bektashism for the Research Infrastructure
During the opening of a photo exhibition in Tirana on Bektashism it became clear, how important it is to include data and expertise from this religion in a research infrastructure for Religious Studies.
In the framework of the Research Infrastructure for Religious Studies RESILIENCE, “Albanian University”, together with World Bektashi Headquarters organised the conference “Bektashism in Albanian culture” with the participation of World Bektashi Headfather, His Grace, Hajji Dede Edmond Brahimaj and Rector of “Albanian University “ Prof. Dr. Pavllo Kongo. The conference took place November 15, 2021.
Photo Exibition
Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences in “Albanian University”, Prof. Dr. Kaliopi Naska highlighted that “organisation of this scientific conference and exhibition with photographs dedicated to the history of Bektashism in the Albanian culture aims to shed light on the contributions in matters of mainly literary, historical, architectural character of Bektashi cultural inheritance and will unfold the exploring journey carried out on historical and cultural traces of Bektashi Order in the spiritual, social and national life of Albanians”.
RESILIENCE
Prof. Assoc. Dr. Genta Rexha, introduced the Research Infrastructure RESILIENCE and the importance of activities like this, that highlight data and expertise about Bektashism. These data and expertise can be brought together in an infrastructure in the future and be made accessible to all the researchers, scholars and stakeholders interested on Religious Studies. From its side, RESILIENCE can support the communities to go digital or to build secure and diverse archives and so to guarantee long-term storage of the data.
Bektashism
In his speech, World Bektashi Headfather, His Grace, Hajji Dede Edmond Brahimaj said that “Bektashism is a mystic path of Islam religion that helps human beings to improve themselves. Bektashism supports the spirit of tolerance and inter-religious cooperation. Religion is the mind. We hold God in our hearts, together with our religion. We are holy if our behaviour is characterised by moral, education and values”.
Researchers Nuri Çuni and Sheldiana Agaraj acquainted the participants with the history of Bektashi Order in Albania and architecture of shrines, hierarchy, clothing, rituals.
At the end of the activity, under the care of the curator Nuri Çuni, the participants visited the photo exhibition, with the promise to visit the museum of the Bektashi Headquarters and to share further data with the Research Infrastructure for Religious Studies RESILIENCE.