Malli i Mëmëdheut

Malli i Mëmëdheut ("Longing for the Motherland") was the first Albanian patriotic organisation in the United States.[1] Founded in 1906 in Jamestown, New York State by Albanian immigrants from the region of Korçë, its purpose was the protection and promotion of Albanian culture, and mutual assistance between Albanians in the country.[2]

History

In the early 20th century. the New York area had become a destination for Albanians who sought economic and social prosperity outside the Ottoman Empire.[2] As the size of the Albanian community of the area and other parts of the United States grew, both the need and opportunity to better organize collaboration within the community became a focus of Albanian American intellectuals.[2][3] In this context, the Orthodox Christian members from the Albanian communities of Buffalo and Jamestown in New York State came together to found Malli i Mëmëdheut in January 1906.[4][5][6] Its founders were Albanian patriots from the region of Korçë, and included Petro Nini Luarasi,[7][8][9] Mina Grameno, Thanas Floqi, Kol Rikashi, Pandi Lipi Kallanxhiu, Thimi Nuni Boçka, Pandi Mihal Furxhi, Dhimitraq Zisi Negovani, Vani Odo Karameta, Vani Vangjeli, Thanas Halle, Mihallaq Kristaq Bimbli and Thanas Viso Mborja.[10] Its purpose was the protection and promotion of Albanian culture, and mutual assistance between Albanians in the country.[2] The members continuously organised meetings and activities, and jointly collaborated with Albanian intellectuals outside the United States, with the primary aim being helping the contemporary Albanian National Awakening that sought the creation of an Albanian state independent of the Ottoman Empire.[11] Malli i Mëmëdheut arranged for Fan Noli to be sent from Egypt, who after his arrival in the US (1906) became associated with the organisation and became a prominent member of the US Albanian community.[7][6][8] After growing gradually both in size and importance, in 1913 Malli i Mëmëdheut merged into Vatra, another prominent Albanian patriotic organisation in the United States.[2][10]

See also

References
  1. Ragaru, Nadege; Dymi, Amilda (2004). "The Albanian-American Community in the United States". Canadian Review of Studies in Nationalism. 1 (1–2): 46.
  2. Pepo, Petraq (1962). Kujtime nga lëvizja për çlirimin kombetar (1878-1912). Universiteti Shtetëror i Tiranës, Instituti i Historisë e Gjuhësisë. pp. 222, 225.
  3. Myzyri, Hysni (2004). Pandeli J. Evangjeli, 1859 - 1949: atdhetar dhe burrë shteti i shquar. Albpaper. p. 145. ISBN 9994360175.
  4. Clayer, Nathalie (2007). Aux origines du nationalisme albanais: La naissance d'une nation majoritairement musulmane en Europe [The origins of Albanian nationalism: The birth of a predominantly Muslim nation in Europe]. Paris: Karthala. p. 405. ISBN 9782845868168.
  5. Eisenstadt, Peter R.; Moss, Laura-Eve (May 19, 2005). The Encyclopedia of New York State. Syracuse University Press. p. 40. ISBN 0-8156-0808-X.
  6. Tarasar, Constance J. (1975). Orthodox America, 1794-1976: Development of the Orthodox Church in America. Orthodox Church in America, Department of History and Archives. p. 309.
  7. Skendi, Stavro (1967). The Albanian National Awakening. Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 160. ISBN 9781400847761.
  8. Victor A., Friedman (25–26 September 2015). On the history of standard Albanian in the United States (DOC). Studimet Albanistike në Amerikë [Albanian Studies in America]. Prishtinë: Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo. p. 43.
  9. Nagi, Dennis L. (1989). The Albanian-American Odyssey: A Pilot Study of the Albanian Community of Boston, Massachusetts. AMS Press. p. 45. ISBN 9780404194369.
  10. Haskaj, Zihni (1976). Mendimi politik e shoqëror i Rilindjes Kombëtare Shqiptare: përmbledhje artikujsh nga shtypi. Akademia e Shkencave e RP të Shqipërise, Instituti i Historisë. p. 467.
  11. Ermenji, Abas (1996). Vendi që zë Skënderbeu në historinë e Shqipërisë. Çabej. p. 233. ISBN 978-1409265948.
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