Dervish of Baba Ali's Tekke Found Dead

The dervish of the Baba Ali Tekke in Alipostivan, Baba Hekuran Nikollari, has passed away suddenly.

The news is confirmed by police sources, while the circumstances of the incident are still unclear. It is expected that the forensic examination will shed more light on the causes of death.

The body of the Bektashi cleric will be transported to the Gjirokastra regional hospital for an autopsy.

Representatives of the World Patriarchate of Bektashis have also left for Përmet to closely monitor the entire process. Meanwhile, the State Police is expected to have an announcement about the event.

Baba Hekuran Nikollari served for years in the emblematic tekke of Bektashism in the south of the country.

Father Hekuran Nikollari

Baba Hekurani was born on September 7, 1963 in Seniçan, Përmet. He completed primary school and the 8-year “Riza Velçishti” school in Seniçan, then started high school “Kamber Bënja” in Bënja. After 2 years, forced by the family’s economic difficulties, he dropped out of school and started working at the Mërtinj cooperative, then at the Reclamation of Përmet, at the Këlcyrë Water Enterprise and at the Utilization-Processing of Wood in Përmet. In 1992, he emigrated to Greece. In 2000, he returned to his homeland, to Seniçan. In Seniçan, he rebuilt the Mekam at the place called “Ahuri i Nakove”, which is still called “I miri i Nakove” today. On March 22, 2001, he went to Alipostivan. The tekke was destroyed in 1967. He supported the family of Refat Hasimi with patriotic traditions. With Refati, who was the master, together with Demir Elmaz and the believers of Alipostivan, they first erected the shrine of Baba Ali Horasani. For this, he had the blessing and support of the World Patriarch Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi. On April 4, 2002, after staying for several days near the Holy See in Tirana, Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi donned the Bektashi robe. He was appointed dervish in the tekke of Baba Ali Horasani in Alipostivan. This day is sacred for Baba Hekurani, his spiritual birthday. In the years 2007-2009, he was appointed and worked as a dervish in the tekke of Frashëri, which he rebuilt and preserved the originality of the monument of history and culture of this famous tekke. For several years, he served in the tekke of Kulmak Tomorr. With the Holy Decree, No. 7 dated 29.12.2009, the World Grandfather of the Bektashis, Saint Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi, was given the title 'Baba; and was appointed Baba of the tekke of "Baba Nasibiu" in Frashëri, of the tekke of "Baba Aliu" in Alipostivan and of the tekke of "Baba Xhaferi" in the city of Përmet. Baba Hekurani has been awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen" by the Municipal Council of Poliçan, the Title of "Honor of Frashëri" by the Municipal Council of Frashëri, with Decision No. 19, dated 21.03.2015) and by the President of the Republic, with the "Naim Frashëri Golden Order".  (A2 Televizion)