Xhemijeti, the time, the circumstances, the figures, the challenges and the successes

In this Prishtina Talks presentation, professor Nexhmedin Spahiu — professor of political science and international relations at AAB University, known for his eleven historical and political books — takes up in depth the history of Xhemijeti, the political organisation of the Albanian Muslims of Kosovo, Sandžak and Macedonia, founded in 1919 by Nexhib Draga.

Spahiu argues that Xhemijeti is a chapter of Albanian history never written up systematically, and brings out several little-known facts: that Nexhib Draga led the Second Congress of Manastir, at which the present alphabet was settled; that the independence of Albania was proclaimed in Skopje by Draga and Hasan Prishtina on 13 October 1912, before the proclamation in Vlorë, but was “hushed” after the Serbian occupation that followed at once; and that Xhemijeti defeated the project of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes by bringing Albanian Muslims into that parliament as an organised voice.

Spahiu then follows the paths of the heirs — the brother Ferat Draga, sent to Ankara to meet Atatürk's government in defence of the Albanians of Kosovo — and brings it into the present: the chief lesson for Kosovo today, which in his view has been followed neither by Albin Kurti's government nor by Vjosa Osmani's stance towards Macron and Scholz. For him, allies and measured diplomacy, on the model of Nexhib Draga and Ibrahim Rugova, are the unavoidable condition of survival for a small state like Kosovo.

Some of the points covered: 📌 Nexhib Draga as the leader of the Second Congress of Manastir 📌 The independence of Albania proclaimed in Skopje on 13 October 1912 📌 Why that fact was “hushed” by Albanian historiography 📌 The founding of Xhemijeti, and the context after the First World War 📌 Xhemijeti as an Albanian patriotic organisation, not merely a religious one 📌 The defeat of the project of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes 📌 Ferat Draga, and the mission to Ankara in defence of the Albanians 📌 The lessons for Kosovo today: keeping allies, and measured diplomacy

📍 Prishtina Talks

Prishtina Talks 05