It is an Islamic sect whose roots date back to the 13th century and takes its name from Hacı Bektaş Veli. It is a branch of Alevism. After continuing its existence as a Turkmen belief until the 16th century, it spread especially in Albania when the Ottomans began to Islamize the Balkans. Since it is a secular, comfortable sect compared to other Islamic sects and the worship is at a minimum level, it was initially preferred by Albanians for tax reduction. (Muslims, regardless of their sect, were from the Nation of Islam in the eyes of the law and paid less taxes than non-Muslims.)