Veliaj congratulates Sultan Novruz: We want the Ashura holiday to be an official holiday
2023-03-22 11:56:15
TiranaPost
The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, wished today, from the holy headquarters of the World Bektash Patriarchate, all the Bektash believers a happy Sultan Novruz holiday. He was received by the World Grandfather, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, and expressed his gratitude for the contribution of the head of the Bektashi community in Albania to the unification of Albanians wherever they are.
"I am very grateful to Baba Mondi for the way he unites our nation, how he serves our nation, and not only the Albanians here in Albania - he has just returned from Tetova, tomorrow he will be in Gjakova - we are really very grateful. Our work becomes easier when people are spiritually at peace, when people have found themselves and intend to cooperate and not divide. Today I am also very grateful to the Bektashi community. The history of Albania, starting from the era of the renaissance, and all those who fought to make this country prosperous, is extremely related to the Bektashi patriots. It has been a privilege for me to know an extraordinary community that, not only in Tirana, but in all the regions where Albanians live, works only for the good," said Veliaj.
On the other hand, the mayor said that the time has come for the Ashura holiday to be an official holiday.
"We will work so that the Ashura holiday is also an official holiday. Just like all other faiths have two official holidays, the time has come for the Bektashi community to have its own official holiday. We also had the commitment of the government to materialize this year. Only by respecting everyone do we respect our coexistence. If we manage to give each faith the place it deserves, the respect it deserves, then we have respected ourselves and we have respected the modern nation we want to build," stated Veliaj.
Baba Mondi recalled that on this holy day, which also marks the spring equinox, the birthday of the great Imam Ali is celebrated, which symbolizes revival. "Today we will celebrate Sultan Novruz, this new day, this beautiful day, this day of the spring equinox, where everything wakes up, hatches, everything blooms. One of the greatest saints of mankind and the deputy of the Prophet Muhammad, Imam Ali, was born, who showed the world that with love, peace and kindness everything is achieved. His work, knowledge, and leadership were genius and it is a lesson even today, for us, to turn to God together, pray to him and have a universal kindness," he said.
