Rexhep Voka
| Rexhep Voka | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1847 Şipkovica, Kalkandelen, Ottoman Empire |
| Died | 1917 (aged 70) |
| Academic work | |
| Era | Albanian National Awakening |
Rexhep Voka was a writer and scholar. A prominent activist in the Albanian National Awakening.
Biography
Rexhep Voka was born in Şipkovica, Kalkandelen (Present-day Tetovo). In 1868, Voka undertook religious studies in Istanbul where he worked as a professor after completing his education. Voka returned to Kalkandelen in 1895 where he became involved in the Albanian National Renaissance. in 1903, Voka was appointed Mufti of the Manastir Vilayet[1] and founded the first Albanian theological college in Üsküb.[2] In Monastir, before the Young Turk revolution, Voka started learning Albanian in Latin characters from Albanian Protestant missionaries.[1] In 1905, Voka attended the Pan-Albanian Congress organized in Bucharest. Headed by Albert Ghica, attended by Ismail Qemali and deliberated with Bucharest's Albanian community, the congress discussed the Albanian issue.
Rexhep Voka was a member of Bashkimi (Unity) at the time of the Young Turk revolution.[3] He printed an Albanian alphabet in Arabic script comprising forty-four letters.[3] Tiranli Fazli then used this script to publish a thirty-two page grammar. Only one Albanian newspaper at the time ever appeared in Arabic script, and it lasted a brief period. Regardless of what script appeared, such material raised Albanian national consciousness.[3]
Legacy
Rexhep Voka was highly regarded among Albanians for his involvement with the Albanian National Awakening. He encouraged education and schooling for the Albanians and has a statue dedicated to him in his birthplace of Shipkovica.[2]
Quote:
Njeriu pa din dhe dije të gjallë e sheh për të vdekur dije
A man without knowledge and faith is alive to your eyes, but dead to your soul
