Ali Riza Dede Explained

Ali Riza
Religion:Islam
Order:Bektashi Order
Nationality:Albanian
Birth Date:18 October 1882
Birth Place:Akçahisar, Ottoman Empire (today Krujë, Albania)
Death Place:Albania
Predecessor1:Sali Njazi
Successor1:Kamber Ali
Office1:2nd Bektashi Dedebaba
Term Start1:6 January 1942
Term End1:22 February 1944

Ali Riza (Ali Riza Dede or Ali Riza of Elbasan) (1882–1944) was the 2nd Dedebaba of the Bektashi Order.[1] [2]

Biography

Ali Riza was born in Krujë, Albania, which was then in the Ottoman Empire; hence, he is sometimes also known as Ali Riza of Kruja. His date of birth is uncertain, and could be either 1876 or 1882.[1]

For 10 years, Ali Riza served at the tekke in Fushë Krujë, after which he served as a dervish in Martanesh. Baba Ahmet Turani then appointed him as the baba of Baba Hamit Tekke in Elbasan. He was the baba of the tekke from November 1921 to December 1941.[1]

After the death of Salih Nijazi Dedebaba, Ali Riza succeeded him as Dedebaba. Although initially reluctant to serve as Dedebaba because he felt that he did not have enough knowledge, he continued to serve in that role until his death on 22 February 1944.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Elsie, Robert . Robert Elsie . The Albanian Bektashi: history and culture of a Dervish order in the Balkans . I.B. Tauris . London . 2019 . 978-1-78831-569-2 . 1108619669.
  2. https://kryegjyshataboterorebektashiane.org/ali-riza-dede-baba/ Ali Riza Dede Baba