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Draft:Hafiz Ali Korça

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Hafiz Ali Korça
TitleGrand Mufti
Personal
Born(1873-04-05)April 5, 1873
Died31 December 1957(1957-12-31) (aged 84)
ReligionIslam
NationalityAlbanian
DenominationSunni
JurisprudenceHanafi
CreedMaturidi
Alma materIstanbul University
Signature
Muslim leader
Period in office1916-1924
PostGrand Mufti of the upper Sharia Council (later became the Muslim Community of Albania)

Hafiz Ali Korça (1873 – December 31, 1957) was an Albanian Muslim Alim, Hafiz, Grand Mufti and Theologian.[1][2] He is remembered as the first Albanian to critique communism through his work “Bolshevizma ç’katrrimi njerzise” (“Bolshevism: The Destruction of Humanity”).[3]

Life

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Hafiz Ali was born on April 5, 1873, in Korçë, into a renowned religious family. His father, Iljaz Efendi, was a respected figure in Korçë, which provided Hafiz Ali with an inspiring environment for his early education. At the age of 12, he memorized the Quran, earning the title of hafiz. This milestone marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to Islamic scholarship.[4][1]

After completing primary school, Hafiz Ali attended the idadije (secondary school) in Korçë. He pursued higher education at the University of Istanbul, a prestigious center for Albanian intellectuals of the time. His years in Istanbul profoundly shaped his religious and intellectual growth. He delved into Islamic studies with dedication, mastering Arabic and Persian while refining his Turkish language skills. Hafiz Ali also studied French in Korçë, enabling him to explore the works of French literary classics.[5]

During his time in Istanbul, Hafiz Ali immersed himself in the foundational works of renowned thinkers, including Ibn Rushd, Ibn Sina, Ibn Rumi and Omar Khayyam. These studies enriched his understanding of diverse fields such as philosophy, sociology, and literature.[6]

He was deeply concerned with Albania’s social and political struggles, fostering a profound love for his homeland.

After graduating as a theologian, Hafiz Ali returned to Albania. He played a key role in the Congress of Elbasan in 1909, directly contributing to the founding of Shoqëria Përparimi (Progress Society). Under its program, he helped establish a primary school in Korçë and introduced foreign language studies into the curriculum. That same year, he participated in the Congress of Dibër, advocating for the establishment of more Albanian-language schools.[3]

In 1916, he was the director of education for Tirana, Durrës, and Central Albania.[5]

Due to his support for the Albanian Latin alphabet, Hafiz Ali Korça was mockingly called "Hoxhë Latinxhi" ("Imam of the Latin Alphabet") by the Ottomans. This term was used to criticize his advocacy for the Latin script.[7]

Hafiz Ali became the first Albanian to publicly criticize communism through his work Bolshevizma ç’katrrimi njerzisë (“Bolshevism: The Destruction of Humanity”). In this book, he condemned the communist ideology and its impact on society. His early critique of Bolshevism demonstrated his commitment to preserving both religious and national values.[8]

Hafiz Ali Korça’s dedication to religion, education, culture, cemented his legacy as a scholar and patriot who worked tirelessly for the betterment of his people.[9]

Religious activity

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After completing his studies, Hafiz Ali Korça dedicated himself to the principles and knowledge of Islam. His greatest contribution, aside from the various religious lectures he delivered in mosques throughout Albania, was his work in writing and translating primary Islamic study materials. One of his most significant achievements was the translation of several verses and chapters of the Quran from Arabic to Albanian, they were published in 1926, which was a major milestone in introducing many Quranic verses in Albanian.[3]

His professional rise as a prominent Islamic religious figure came when he was elected as the Grand Mufti of the Upper Sharia Council in 1918 until his resignation in 1924.[10]

He also served as a teacher at the Medrese of Tirana, where he contributed to the religious education of future generations.[11]

In addition to his Islamic work, Hafiz Ali Korça made numerous contributions to both Islamic and non-Islamic literature, enriching the cultural and intellectual landscape of his time.[7]

Persecution under the Communist Regime

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Hafiz Ali Korça faced significant persecution under the communist regime. He was interned in Kavajë and closely monitored by the Sigurimi until his old age. Despite his prominent role in the national sphere, the regime considered him a threat and subjected him to continuous surveillance due to his religious role, limiting his freedom and activities. This surveillance continued until he was in his 80s.[10]

Death

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Hafiz Ali Korça passed away on December 31, 1957, in Kavajë, where he was also buried. Despite the official silence from the government, a large number of Kavajë residents attended his funeral, giving him a grand farewell. The people honored his memory, expressing admiration for his significant contributions and tireless efforts for the people.[1]

Works

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Hafiz Ali made significant contributions to both Islamic and Albanian literature. Below is a list of his notable works:

  • Mevludi (1900) - The Mawlid
  • 303 fjalë të Imam Aliut - 303 Saying of Imam Ali
  • Gjylistani dhe Bostani i Saadiut (1918) - The Rose Garden and Orchard of Saadi
  • Rubajiat e Hajamit (1930) - The Rubaiyat of Khayyam
  • Bolshevizma a çkatërrim i njerëzimit (1925) - Bolshevism: The Destruction of Humanity
  • Shtatë Ëndrrat e Shqipërisë - The Seven Dreams of Albania
  • Histori në vargje - History in Verses

See Also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c dritaislame2 (2020-12-22). "HAFIZ ALI KORÇA (1873-1957) DREJTOR ARSIMI, KRYEMYFTI, PUBLICIST, SHKRIMTAR E POET | Drita Islame". Retrieved 2024-11-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Hafiz Ali Korcha's Approach to Tafsir" (PDF). George Fox University Digital Commons. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Zani i Naltë – Analizë e veprës së Hafiz Ali Korçës "Bolshevizma, a çkatërrimi i njerëzimit"". Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  4. ^ Ahmedi, Ismail (2006). Hafiz Ali Korça: jeta dhe vepra (in Albanian). Logos-A. p. 29. ISBN 978-9989-58-239-4.
  5. ^ a b "HAFIZ ALI KORÇA, NJË JETË NË SHËRBIM TË FESË DHE KOMBIT" (in Albanian). Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  6. ^ Korça, Ali. "Shtatë ëndrrat e Shqipërisë". Shtepia e Librit (in Albanian). p. 79. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  7. ^ a b "Jeta dhe Vepra e Hafiz Ali Korçës - Fondacioni Hafiz Ali Korça". 2024-03-14. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  8. ^ Hafiz Ali Korça, "Bolshevizma: Shkatërrimi i Njerëzimit", Literatura Islame, 2022, [1]
  9. ^ Qeriqi, Ahmet (2024-04-05). "Hafiz Ali Korça (1874-1957) mësues atdhetar, hoxhë dhe intelektual i dalluar i kombit". Radio Kosova e Lirë. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  10. ^ a b ""Hoxhë Selimi Brahja, u vra në gusht 1943, te xhamia e Saukut, nga një njësit i çetës së Pezës, kurse Hafiz Ali Korça". Memorie.al (in Albanian). 2024-11-21. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  11. ^ "Kush është Hafiz Ali Korça?". Revista Vlera. 2019-04-29. Retrieved 2024-11-30.