The dervish of the Baba Aliu Tekke in Alipostivan found dead

The dervish of the Baba Aliu Tekke in Alipostivan, Përmet, Baba Hekuran Nikollari, has been found lifeless. The news has been confirmed by police sources, while the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.

The lifeless body of the Bektashi cleric will be transported to the regional hospital of Gjirokastra for forensic examination, which is expected to shed more light on the cause of death. Representatives of the World Bektashi Headquarters have also set off for Përmet to oversee the process.

Baba Hekuran Nikollari had served for years at the Baba Aliu Tekke, an emblematic institution of Bektashism in southern Albania. He was born on September 7, 1963, in Seniçan, Përmet. He completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown and started high school in Bënjë but had to drop out due to family financial difficulties.

Over the years, he worked in various sectors, including the Mërtinj cooperative, Përmet’s irrigation department, and the Këlcyrë Water Enterprise. In 1992, he emigrated to Greece, but in 2000 he returned to Albania and rebuilt the Mekam in Seniçan.

On March 22, 2001, he moved to Alipostivan, where on April 4, 2002, he was dressed in the Bektashi robe by Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi and was appointed as a dervish at the Baba Ali Horasani Tekke. Between 2007 and 2009, he served at the Frashër Tekke, restoring and preserving its original structure.

On December 29, 2009, he was granted the title of “Baba” and was appointed to several tekkes, including those in Frashër, Alipostivan, and Përmet.

Throughout his service, Baba Hekuran was honored with various titles, such as “Honorary Citizen” by the Poliçan Municipal Council, “Honor of Frashër” by the Frashër Commune, and the “Naim Frashëri Gold Order” by the President of Albania.

The Baba Aliu Tekke in Alipostivan is a well-known pilgrimage site for Bektashi believers. Thanks to Baba Hekuran Nikollari’s dedication, this sacred place has been reconstructed with various facilities for worshippers.

His passing is a significant loss for the Bektashi community and all those who knew and appreciated his contributions to preserving and promoting religious and national values.

CREATED by:

“KORÇA BOOM”