By Eugen SHEHU
Memorie.al/ Rarely in history has our nation distinguished itself for a remarkable religious harmony. For centuries, having faced long bouts of war, as our neighbors and conquerors have surged to eliminate us as a nation, race, and faith, the great idea “Without Homeland, there is no Faith” has emblematically taken root in our national consciousness. The spiritual leaders of every religious confession in Albanian territories, guided by this magical phrase, led generations towards the great altar of the Homeland. Undoubtedly, among the many names of these men shines the name, life, and work of His Grace, the Grand Mufti of Albania and the then-Kosovo, Salih Muftija.
He was born in the city of Shkodra in the distant year of 1891. Shkodra in those years, although slowly losing the luster of its former great city, still retained the beauty of large houses with various gardens, shops with silk and weapons, and mosques and Catholic churches which, in juxtaposition to each other, were symbols of harmony. At the dawn of the 20th century, Shkodra still bore the pain of the land being divided in the north by the Treaty of San Stefano, which ceded Albanian territories to Montenegro.
This city of great contrasts would leave its marks on the pure soul of young Salih. Raised in a house where the Muhammadan faith was celebrated for centuries, seven-year-old Salih would attend a Turkish school in the city from 1898 to 1904. His parents saw in him not only a great zeal for learning but also a deep respect for his friends and teachers. Extremely wise, with an almost premature maturity, Salih, alongside his school duties, would also help his parents at home. In the early years of the 20th century in Shkodra, just like throughout Albania, the national movement for autonomy began to open the first schools for the Albanian language.
Despite the fierce reaction from the Sublime Porte to close these schools, Albanian patriots continued their work, rushing to bring freedom to their territories through both arms and labor. Although a student in a religious high school, Salih Muftija was at the forefront of those learning and spreading the beautiful Albanian language.
Especially after the Congress of Manastir in 1908, where the battle over the Albanian alphabet intensified, Salih Myftija remained a staunch supporter of the alphabet with Latin letters, which would lead the beautiful Albanian language into the great family of languages with ancient cultural identities in the civilized world. Upon completing the city’s religious school, Salih Myftija not only possessed deep knowledge of the Islamic faith, but also had mastery over old Turkish (Ottoman) and Arabic; however, the spoken and written Albanian language would be the greatest concerns of the young man from Shkodra.
Equipped with the high virtues of religious morality, Salih Myftija would distinguish himself in the early 1920s, not only for his spiritual quality but also for his Albanian identity within him. The Balkan turmoil left its marks on the city of Shkodra, while the patriot Salih Myftija cared for the pains in the souls of his fellow townspeople who were leaving as quickly as possible. A joyful event would be transmitted among the Muslim believers in the spring of 1923, when on February 24 of that year, the First Muslim Congress was held in the hall of the “Djelmnia Dibrane” society in Tirana, which marked the independence of the Albanian mosque.
Among the decisions made there and the tasks set, this assembly of independence for the Albanian Muslim believers sought, among other things, a more concrete and free interpretation of the Islamic faith, the translation of the Quran into Albanian and the practice of Muslim rites in that language, including even the solemn ceremony. Additionally, the Congress sought to create a civilizing Islamic belief, in irreconcilable conflict with rigid rules. Among the achievements of this Congress would undoubtedly be the ideation and approval of the foundational document that declared the independence of the Albanian mosque from Turkey, the “Statute of the Albanian Muslim Community.” This Statute excluded and prohibited any spiritual authority from outside Albania, deeming it “against the high national ideals.” (Central State Archive – Tirana. Fund 882, file no. 1, page 13).
Salih Myftija would be among the first clergy of his city to begin conveying the messages of the Congress to the believers in Shkodra, where civil culture, a long-standing presence, coexisted with Islamic faith and Catholicism, making it essential that the ideas of the mosque’s independence were conveyed with a national spirit, with tolerance, and especially with a rich Albanian culture.
During these years, Salih Myftija would participate in numerous rites in the Albanian language. He would translate various parts of the Quran, would read them aloud, explaining them to the Muslim believers, without forgetting to illuminate the love for the homeland. By the end of the 1920s, by a special decision from the High Council of Sharia, Salih Myftija would be appointed the Mufti of Shkodra and the then-Kosovo.
For many years in this high spiritual position, His Grace Salih Myftija transformed into a saint of Albanianism, not only in Shkodra, Gjakova, and Prizren but even in Pristina, Presevo, Drenica, Pollog, Kumanovo, and Bitola, his warm voice that spread joy and hope entered household after household, heart after heart, of Albanians. Wherever his foot fell, doors opened, and believers surrounded him with the love of a son for the father. His graceful speech, deep polyhedral culture, and remarkable tolerance were the best weapons that the Muslim believers of Kosovo used against the miserable leaders of the Serbian Orthodox Church, who never ceased to propagate the so-called Asian Islam of the Albanians.
This revival of faith among Albanians, in new dimensions, would astonish many diplomats from Europe with this religious and human culture. Even the great French writer De Myse would write, “In Albania, it has been decided that the clergy will completely sever ties with the hierarchical authority of Istanbul.” Meanwhile, the Parisian daily “Temps,” speaking about the European-faced reforms of the Albanian mosque, concluded that “these measures have made a significant impression throughout the Muslim world.”
The black April for the Albanians would undoubtedly shake the sensitive soul of His Excellency, Salih Myftija. While the youth of Shkodra were arming themselves to resist the occupiers with force, this spiritual leader could not carry out religious rites within the four walls of the mosque. With the Quran in hand, with his resounding voice and eyes shining in the overcast sky of Shkodra, he would go from position to position, blessing the fighters and reminding them of the proverbial Albanian saying that “Without a Homeland, there is no Faith,” and would emphasize the honor that the Shiites have for the Homeland.
This was the reason that just two months after the Italians occupied Shkodra, the military command summoned His Excellency, being informed of his patriotic activities, and requested that he voluntarily withdraw, praying quietly in some remote village mosque. But His Excellency, Salih Myftija, with the power of his words and high courage, replied to the invaders of his homeland. In addition to this, along with his son, the Italian command interned Salih Myftija in Gjirokastër. For almost 14 months that His Excellency remained in Gjirokastër, he was not at all frightened by the threats of the Italian occupiers. Even under the surveillance of the occupying forces, under the pretext of religious rites, he would gather around him dozens and hundreds of young men from Gjirokastër, Tepelena, Vlorë, and Delvinë, urging them to take up arms, to defend their homeland as the most sacred duty of humanity.
Even today, in the town of Gjirokastër, the elderly remember that Salih Myftija often stayed in the company of the prominent patriot Dervish Rexhebi at the Zalli tekke. Around these two men of God, during the long nights of 1939-1940, the elite of southern nationalists gathered, those who would later bravely fight against the Italians, Germans, and communists from Tirana and Belgrade.
In September 1940, His Excellency, Salih Myftija, along with his son Fuad, returned to Shkodra. In the first days of his return, His Excellency of the Muslims of Shkodra and Kosovo was summoned again to the offices of the Italian questura and advised that during the Muslim ceremonies (the Friday prayer), at least do not speak about Italy. With characteristic wisdom, Imam Salih Myftija replied to the Italian officers that he would only speak to his compatriots about Albania, which implied that he could not cease to fight for the freedom of the homeland. Now, this spiritual father would gather late at night in his home in Shkodra, men such as Jup Kazazi, Faik Quku, Lec Kurti, Zef Pali, Father Gjergj Fishta, etc. That house became a bastion of Albanianism also for the fact that dozens of nationalist brave men from Kosovo would stay there, who, drawing hope from their father, rushed to protect the ethnic borders within the ranks of the Albanian National Defense.
In the years 1942-1943, when the fight against the occupiers required a politically and militarily seasoned staff, especially given that the Mukje Agreement was betrayed, His Excellency, Salih Myftija, like dozens of other Albanian patriots, tried by every means to secure the return of the King of the Albanians, Ahmet Zogu, to Albania. He was aware that only a political and patriotic figure like Ahmet Zogu could steer Albania’s boat away from the storms of World War II and, furthermore, could fight communism to the end. “One of the most valuable things that his Excellency undertook was the establishment of the ‘Besa Shqiptare,’ a national organization with a political activity aimed at restoring the Monarchy in Albania. His Excellency’s collaborators in this activity included many honored and respected figures in Shkodra and Albania, such as Ndue Coba, the former mayor of the city, the Gera brothers, Shefqet Muka, Kol Kiri, Hajdar Rusi, Rasim Boksi, Et’hem Rama, Llesh Marashi, Gjelosh Luli, Ragip Lohja, etc. This organization also had its cultural-political body “Jehona e Rinisë,” where many young people from Shkodra contributed, such as Ibrahim Sokoli, Fadil Podgorica, etc. (Newspaper “Drita Islame” Shkodër, January 1995).
Black April for the Albanians would undoubtedly shake the sensitive soul of His Excellency, Salih Myftija. While the youth of Shkodra were arming themselves to resist the occupiers with force, this spiritual leader could not carry out religious rites within the four walls of the mosque. With the Quran in hand, with his resonant voice and eyes shining in the overcast sky of Shkodra, he would go from position to position, blessing the fighters and reminding them of the proverbial Albanian saying that “Without a Homeland, there is no Faith,” and he would remind them of the honor that the Shiites have for the Homeland.
This was the reason that just two months after the Italians occupied Shkodra, the military command summoned His Excellency, having been informed of his patriotic activities, and requested that he voluntarily withdraw, praying quietly in some remote village mosque. But His Excellency, Salih Myftija, with the power of his words and high courage replied to the invaders of his homeland. Along with that, the Italian command interned Salih Myftija in Gjirokastër. For almost 14 months that His Excellency remained in Gjirokastër, he was not at all frightened by the threats of the Italian occupiers. Even under the surveillance of the occupying forces, under the pretext of religious rites, he would gather around him dozens and hundreds of young men from Gjirokastër, Tepelena, Vlorë, and Delvinë, urging them to take up arms and defend their homeland as the most sacred responsibility of humanity.
Even today, in the town of Gjirokastër, the elderly remember that Salih Myftija would often be in the company of the notable patriot Dervish Rexhebi at the Zalli tekke. Around these two men of God, during the long nights of 1939-1940, the elite of southern nationalists gathered, who would later bravely fight against the Italians, Germans, and communists from Tirana and Belgrade.
In September 1940, His Excellency, Salih Myftija, along with his son Fuad, returned to Shkodra. In the first days of his return, His Excellency of the Muslims of Shkodra and Kosovo was summoned again to the offices of the Italian questura and advised that during the Muslim ceremonies (the Friday prayer), at least do not speak about Italy. With characteristic wisdom, Imam Salih Myftija replied to the Italian officers that he would only speak to his compatriots about Albania, which implied that he could not cease to fight for the freedom of the homeland. Now, this spiritual father would gather late at night in his home in Shkodra, men such as Jup Kazazi, Faik Quku, Lec Kurti, Zef Pali, Father Gjergj Fishta, etc. That house became a bastion of Albanianism also for the fact that dozens of brave nationalist men from Kosovo would stay there, who, drawing hope from their father, rushed to protect the ethnic borders within the ranks of the Albanian National Defense.
In 1942-1943, when the struggle against the occupiers required a politically and militarily experienced staff, especially when the Mukje Agreement was betrayed, His Excellency, Salih Myftija, along with dozens of other Albanian patriots, tried by every means to secure the return of the King of the Albanians, Ahmet Zogu, to Albania. He was aware that only a political and patriotic figure like Ahmet Zogu could steer Albania’s boat away from the storms of World War II and, furthermore, could fight communism to the end. “One of the most valuable undertakings of his Excellency is the establishment of the ‘Besa Shqiptare,’ a national organization with a political activity aimed at restoring the Monarchy in Albania. His Excellency’s collaborators in this activity included many honored and respected figures in Shkodra and Albania, such as Ndue Coba, the former mayor of the city, the Gera brothers, Shefqet Muka, Kol Kiri, Hajdar Rusi, Rasim Boksi, Et’hem Rama, Llesh Marashi, Gjelosh Luli, Ragip Lohja, etc. This organization also had its cultural-political body “Jehona e Rinisë,” where many young people from Shkodra contributed, such as Ibrahim Sokoli, Fadil Podgorica, etc. (Newspaper “Drita Islame”, Shkodër, January 1995).
He was received with honors by the King of the Albanians as well as by prominent personalities from the Arab world. The astonishing erudition of the man from Shkodra, his knowledge of several languages, and especially the sincerity with which he engaged in conversation, significantly elevated the personality of Salih Myftija. For many years, he dedicated himself to religious activities there, becoming a spiritual leader not only for the Albanians in Egypt but also for thousands of other Muslim believers who admired the beauty and strength of his words. Now his age was advancing, and Salih Myftija felt he always had his son Fuad by his side, who, following in his father’s footsteps of integrity, was gradually forming his own personality.
It was July 8, 1965, when His Excellency Salih Myftija left Egypt and, together with his son Fuad, boarded the ship “Queen Mary Ann” bound for America. A years-long correspondence with Albanian nationalists in the USA compelled the 74-year-old spiritual leader to take this path, intending to bring the word of God to the Albanian homes there, across generations of emigrants. With his direct involvement and the power of thought and speech, he built an Islamic center in New York and New Jersey within a short period.
While he was elevating the temple of Islamic faith in the USA, back in his homeland in Albania, the godless communism was destroying both the religious practices and the very belief in God among the poor Albanians, distorted by spiritual and material poverty. While His Excellency Salih Myftija was establishing these two centers and the mosque in New York, the webs of communist treachery did everything possible to sabotage them. But regardless of his age, Salih Myftija continued to work with passion, always surrounded by the love of the believers from Shkodra, Lume, Dibre, Vlorë, Kosovo, Albanian Macedonia, and beyond from all Albanian ethnic territories.
Before they became centers of religious education, these centers in the USA turned into bastions of Albanianism. In a report sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tirana in 1965 regarding Salih Muftija, among other things, it was written that; “He openly propagandizes against our party and state.” (Archive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. File of Salih Muftija, doc 147).
But despite these webs of communist treachery, His Excellency, despite the great pain in his heart for the medieval persecution in Albania (his family was undergoing the torment of labor camps), continued to denounce the communist massacre, even praying to God that it would end as soon as possible. Educated with astonishing religious tolerance, His Excellency, Salih Myftija, was often called upon to ceremonies in both the Orthodox and Catholic churches in Albania. In every case, in every word expressed, he conveyed the message of cooperation and Albanian brotherhood. In 1972, in collaboration with Imam Isa Hoxha, His Excellency, Salih Myftija, managed to open the first class of the religious school.
Although he was advanced in age, he personally taught the first lessons, delighting the Muslim students with the flame of spirit and words. On May 19, 1978, at the age of 87, His Excellency, Salih Myftija, departed forever from the material world. After this, his spirit, word, and work became the property of all believers because a patriotic spirit, in a completely conscious manner, belongs to all fellow countrymen. /Memorie.al
Bern, Switzerland
