Mufti Xhemal Naipi was born in Shkodër, theologian, qadi, mufti, General Director of Endowments (1916), senator, chairman of the National Council (1920), deputy, chairman of the Legality Movement (1943) . He completed primary and secondary education in his hometown, while he moved to Istanbul to pursue higher studies in theology and jurisprudence. In the university environment, he regularly frequented rich libraries, thus cultivating extensive knowledge of Eastern culture. After completing his academic obligations, he returned to Shkodër, where he began serving as a qadi. Naipi, in addition to clerical engagement, was among the protagonists of the most important events on a national scale, starting with the Declaration of Independence and ending with the end of the Second World War. In the spring of 1920, he exercised the functions of the National Council (Senate) chairman, which emerged from the Congress of Lushnja. He was a legislator and a representative of Shkodra during the time of the Kingdom. For his patriotic activity in the war developments, he was called “anti-Italian” and was exiled to Ceresara in Mantua, where he was held until 1942. On his return, he was elected chairman of the Legality Movement. With the installation of the totalitarian regime, the Naipi family was interned to Berat. On October 7, 1946, Naipi was arrested and declared by the Military Court of Shkodra guilty of “participation in an organization which carried out activities against the people’s government” and of “agitation and propaganda against the government.” For these charges, he was sentenced to life imprisonment, his movable and immovable property was confiscated, and he lost all civil rights. Naipi died in 1955, in Burrel prison. As a sign of appreciation for his contribution to national affairs, he was decorated by the President of the Republic with the Order “For patriotic activities of the first class” on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Congress of Lushnja. (In the photo: Xhemal Naipi)
Text: Encyclopedic dictionary of victims of communist terror – Vol. VI , “West Print”, Institute for the Study of Crimes and Consequences of Communism, Tirana, 2017, page 7-8.
Photo: © https://kujto.al/personat/xhemal-naipi-3/
Graphic processing: AHCF
