Memorie.al / Hafiz Ali Podgorica was born in 1855 in Podgorica to a family of Albanian patriots. His parents, Abdullah and his mother Pashja, left Ali an orphan at the age of six. He was taken in by his uncles living in Shkodër, where he completed his primary education and the Ottoman high school. He also memorized the Qur’an, earning the title “Hafiz.” Later, he went to Istanbul, where he met fellow patriots. He was a companion of Ismail Qemali, Jani Vreto, Koto Hoxhi, and many others. Together with them, he was inspired by national sentiments and ideas for the freedom of Albania and the spread of Albanian language education.
After returning to Shkodër, he worked as a lawyer and assistant judge. He collaborated with Shkodra’s patriots and intellectuals. Later, he was transferred to Durrës, where he worked as a “Kadi” (judge) and was subsequently elected Mufti. In Durrës, he joined patriots such as Nikollë Kaçorri, Abaz Celkupa, Seit Kertusha, Dr. Neki Libohova, and many others.
With the formation of the clubs “Vëllazëria” (Brotherhood) and “Bashkimi” (Unity), Hafiz Ali was a member of these clubs (1905–1909). He contributed to matters of national importance and the spread of Albanian language teaching under the conditions of that time.
Hafiz Ali was also sent as a representative of Durrës to the “Congress of Dibra” in July 1909. There, Hafiz Ali and Dervish Hima won the approval of all delegates for their dedication to national issues in the educational, cultural, and political spheres.
In 1909, during the municipal elections, the Club presented Hafiz Ali’s candidacy. He was steeped in the ideals of our National Renaissance figures and guided by the teachings of Sami Frashëri, from whom he had learned the concepts of governing the country. He was the most qualified person to handle the duties of Mayor.
Thus, he was elected the first Mayor of Durrës for the 1909–1912 legislatures. Being consistently involved in the patriotic movement, he laid the foundations of the Albanian administration even in the field of justice. After the failure to raise the flag in Durrës on November 24, 1912, as Mayor, he signed the act of representation for the delegates of Durrës who would go to the Assembly of Vlora.
An important act of the citizens of Durrës, after Ismail Qemali’s departure for Vlora, was that of Hafiz Ali Podgorica – the first Mayor and a prominent personality – who on November 26, 1912, raised the National Flag with his own hands at the government palace in Durrës.
Immediately after this major act, the patriots of Durrës, under the leadership of Hafiz Ali on November 27, 1912, signed telegram No. 3300 sent to all major cities of Albania announcing the declaration of independence in Durrës (proclaiming independence in the name of our precious nationality and all of Albania).
Simultaneously, memorandums were sent to the consuls of Austria, France, and the Italian representative in Durrës. In historical documents found in the State Archives (Independence Fund), it is written:
“Hafiz Ali Podgorica (1855–1929) on November 26, 1912, in his capacity as Mayor, had the special honor of raising the Flag of Albania with his own hands at the government palace in Durrës.”
The administration led by Hafiz Ali Podgorica from 1909–1912 constitutes a historic chapter in the life of the city of Durrës due to its merits. The first seal of the Municipality of Durrës dates back to his time. This role was undoubtedly linked to the historical moment the Provisional Government of Vlora was passing through.
For his patriotic and national activity, Hafiz Ali dedicated his entire life to the service of the country in organizing the state administration, as well as in the educational, cultural, and political fields. Several meetings have been held where papers have been presented regarding his intellectual figure and work.
At that time, Essad Pasha Toptani, exploiting his position as Minister of the Interior of the Vlora Government in 1913, used the gendarmerie for his own ambitious personal interests against the National Government. Hafiz Ali understood his pro-Serbian political agenda. Along with other patriots from Durrës, he and his family fled the city.
As punishment, their homes were looted. The same happened in 1924, when Essad Pasha came to Durrës for the second time. Hafiz Ali was a supporter of Fan Noli’s democratic ideas. During King Zog’s regime, he was exiled to Kavajë in 1926. He died in 1929, leaving his family in a difficult economic situation.
In 1992, the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, awarded Hafiz Ali Podgorica the title “Order of the First Class” for patriotic activity with the citation: “As an intellectual figure, distinguished in organizing the struggle for national liberation, for the raising of the Flag in Durrës (November 26, 1912), and for organizing the state administration.”
On October 16, 1996, the City Council of Durrës awarded Hafiz Ali Podgorica (posthumously) the title: “Honorary Citizen” of Durrës, with the citation: “Outstanding intellectual and patriot. As a delegate of Durrës to the Congress of Dibra, he successfully fought Young Turk aims. A collaborator of Ismail Qemali, by whose instructions he raised the National Flag in Durrës on November 26, 1912. The First Mayor of the Municipality of Durrës in the years 1909–1912.”
On August 16–17, 2003, the Municipality of Durrës and the “Durrësi” Association awarded Hafiz Ali Podgorica (posthumously) the title: “Symbol of the City – To the First Mayor of Durrës, the distinguished intellectual who organized the state administration, the ardent patriot who on November 26, 1912, raised the Flag of Independence in Durrës.”
On November 26, 2005, the Municipality of Durrës and the “Durrësi” Association awarded Hafiz Ali Podgorica the title: “Gratitude of the City of Durrës” with the citation: “For the contribution he made to the independence of the Albanian state and for the raising of the Albanian National Flag in the city of Durrës on November 26, 1912.”
On November 26, 2008, the monument of the first Mayor of Durrës, Hafiz Ali Podgorica 1909–1912, was inaugurated. / Memorie.al
