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

Hafiz Ali Korça
Title	Grand Mufti
Personal life
Born	(1873-04-05)April 5, 1873 Korça, Ottoman Empire
Died	31 December 1957(1957-12-31) (aged 84) Kavajë, Communist Albania
Nationality	Albanian
Alma mater	Istanbul University
Signature
Religious life
Religion	Islam
Denomination	Sunni
Jurisprudence	Hanafi
Creed	Maturidi
Muslim leader
Post	Grand Mufti of the upper Sharia Council (later became the Muslim Community of Albania)
Period in office	1916-1924

Life

Hafiz Ali was born on April 5, 1873, in Korçë, to a religious family. His father, Iljaz Efendi, was a respected figure in the community. By age 12, Hafiz Ali memorized the Quran, earning the title of hafiz and starting his lifelong dedication to Islamic learning.

After finishing primary school, Hafiz Ali went to secondary school in Korçë. He continued his education at the University of Istanbul, an important place for Albanian intellectuals. His time in Istanbul had a big impact on his religious and intellectual growth. He studied islamic subjects, learned Arabic and Persian, and improved his Turkish. Hafiz Ali also studied French in Korçë, which allowed him to read French literary works.

During his time in Istanbul, Hafiz Ali studied the works of thinkers like Ibn Rushd, Ibn Sina, Ibn Rumi, and Omar Khayyam. These studies deepened his knowledge in philosophy, sociology, and literature.

After graduating as a theologian, Hafiz Ali returned to Albania and played an important role in the 1909 Congress of Elbasan, contributing to the founding of the Progress Society. Under its program, he helped establish a primary school in Korçë and introduced foreign language studies. He also participated in the Congress of Dibër, advocating for more Albanian-language schools.

In 1916, he became director of education for Tirana, Durrës, and Central Albania.

Hafiz Ali supported the Albanian Latin alphabet, earning the nickname "Hoxhë Latinxhi" ("Imam of the Latin Alphabet") from the Ottomans, who criticized his stance.

He was the first Albanian to publicly criticize communism in his book Bolshevism: The Destruction of Humanity, where he condemned the communist ideology.

Religious work

After his studies, Hafiz Ali Korça focused on Islamic teachings and made contributions by writing and translating key Islamic texts. His major achievement was translating parts of the Quran into Albanian, published in 1926. He was appointed Grand Mufti of the Upper Sharia Council in 1916, serving until 1924. He also taught at the Medrese of Tirana, where he contributed to religious education. Beyond Islamic work, he contributed to both Islamic and non-Islamic literature, influencing the cultural and intellectual environment of his time.

Persecution under the Communist Regime

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 due to his religious views and subjected him to continuous surveillance, limiting his freedom and activities. This surveillance continued until he was in his 80s.

Death

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.

Works

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

• Islam in Albania
• Muslim Community of Albania
• Albanian Sunni Muslims

References

1. ^ "HAFIZ ALI KORÇA (1873-1957) DREJTOR ARSIMI, KRYEMYFTI, PUBLICIST, SHKRIMTAR E POET | Drita Islame". DritaIslame. 2020-12-22. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
2. Bardhi, Ismail. "The Theological Effort of Hafiz Ali of Korcha". Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe. 39 (1).
3. ^ "Zani i Naltë – Analizë e veprës së Hafiz Ali Korçës "Bolshevizma, a çkatërrimi i njerëzimit"". Retrieved 2025-01-11.
4. Ahmedi, Ismail (2006). Hafiz Ali Korça: jeta dhe vepra (in Albanian). Logos-A. p. 29. ISBN 978-9989-58-239-4.
5. ^ "HAFIZ ALI KORÇA, NJË JETË NË SHËRBIM TË FESË DHE KOMBIT" (in Albanian). Retrieved 2025-01-11.
6. Korça, Ali. "Shtatë ëndrrat e Shqipërisë". Shtepia e Librit (in Albanian). p. 79. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
7. ^ "Jeta dhe Vepra e Hafiz Ali Korçës - Fondacioni Hafiz Ali Korça". 2024-03-14. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
8. Hafiz Ali Korça, "Bolshevizma: Shkatërrimi i Njerëzimit", Literatura Islame, 2022,
9. ^ ""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 2025-01-11.

• Albanian Muslims
• Albanian Sunni Muslims
• Albanian imams
• Grand Muftis of Albania
• Albanian Islamic religious leaders
• Albanian Sunni Muslim scholars of Islam