This paper joins the literature concerned with Ottoman legacies in Europe by considering the case of Bektashiyya, a Sufi order of Islam and a system of beliefs and practices that originated with Haxhi Bektash Veli – the 13th century spiritual leader and the pir1 founder of the Order. The key words: Hajji Bektash, Bektashi Order, Albania, Mohammed, Ali, Saint Spiridon, Dede, Ali Pasha Ioannina, Abdyl Frasheri, League of Prizren, Naim Frasheri, etc. This work relies on analyzing and comparative methods. Documentary sources and early researches/works of various scholars were used to compile such a work. This was reflected in the cultural and political reborn of Albanian national sentiments and its fight for national emancipation. During the century XIX the Bektasishm played an important role into Albanian National Movement. Thus, the Bektashi became a spiritual movement for major part of Albanian people.

Therefore, the first converters were Bektashi followers since it was a tolerant order with many relations to Christian tradition and philosophy. Such liberal and eclectic nature of Bektashi was attractive for a major part of Albanian inhabitants, where the Christianity was coexisting through strong elements of pagan heritage of Pre-Christian period. Initially the Bektashism was portrayed as a liberal Islamic sect with many common features to Christianity. Extension over Balkans was followed by spread of Islam, which, in Albanian lands, beside its main alternative - the Sunni, was followed even by sectarian movements like Bektashi, Helveti, Rufai, etc. During centuries XIV-XV the Ottoman Empire extended its territories towards the Balkans. Abstract: This research aims to elaborate spread of Bektashi order into Albanian lands and its interaction with local cultures, conversion of Albanians into Bektashi, role of Bektashism during Albanian National Awakening period, and Bektashi cultural heritage.

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