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The first Albanian Bektashi Teqe (Masjid of Tekke) in US fulfilled today 65 years old. The Teqe is located in Taylor town, Michigan and was founded by Baba Rexhepi, who has the status of a saint for the Bektashi community as well as for other Albanians. In the Tekke complex there is also the tyrbe of Baba Rexhepi.
The Dervish of the Albanian Bektashi Tekke is Eliton Pashaj. He is an energetic man and knows the community well.In the main office where people are expected, the iconic portrait of Baba Rexhepi, dominates the founder of the Albanian Bektashi community of America. He came to America in 1952 to escape the persecution of communism after the war and built this Tekke.
"The Albanians, when came to Tekke, felt as they were going to Albania. The Tekke was like little Albania. All the political wings went to Tekke, nationalists and the zogistët. Tekke was the place where everyone forgot particular political beliefs and joined in to cry to Albania. And Baba Rexhepi inspired and kept them in the hope that one day Albania would be free and everyone would see their families. "
Teqe is a beautiful building, built with the work of Albanians and kept at their own expense. But the donations of the believers are not enough. Baba Rexhepi has some apartments and with their rent pays the expenses.
"These are the apartments that Baba Rexhepi did before Albania was opened."
The Factory Dervish invites us to visit the holy place a few meters away. Here lies Baba Arshiu, another important figure of the community.
Francis Trix is a scholar of Sufism and has long been taught by Baba Rexhepi.
"I started studying with Baba Rexhepi when I was a student and I continued until he passed away in 1995."