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| A L I P A S H A O F J A N I N A |
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| Courtesy of Iliriapress |
| News Albania Kosova Ilirida Plava & Gucija Valley of Morava History Literature Music Terror Human Rights |
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| This article is dedicated in remembrance to Dr. Astridhis Kolia, an Arvanitis or Albanian, of Epirus, who got mysteriously murdered by the Greek secret Police. When Dr. Astridhis Kolia openly declared himself as an Albanian, he was murdered by Greek government. |
| By: S.K.-Shkupjani June 23, 2002 Revised: March 10, 2006 Edited by: Q.K. From Shkupi (Skopje) References �Ali Pasha �- Sabri Godo. Book published in 1993 in Tirana, Albania. � The Diamond of Janina� - William Plomer. Book published in 1970 in London, United Kingdom. |
| The justice of Ali Pasha |
| Ali Pasha was a dictator, and he ruled his land with justice. He new the justice, and he judged without a mistake. He opened the court houses almost in any city in his territory, and the court houses were complete and competent on that time. All the complaints that arrived on his hand were solved. In the results of the justice, it will be presented some of the solved cases. One time a man stole a horse in the village. The villagers have complaint to Ali Pasha. The person who stole the horse was found and hanged. The horse was returned to the villager. (Sabri Godo, pg. 156) This law was practice almost in every country in 1700 and 1800. |
| The other case dealt with two people, a priest and a merchant. The merchant borrowed money from the priest. After a period of time, the priest asked the merchant to return the money. The priest could not get the money back from the merchant, and he did not have a receipt and a witness that he had given the money. The merchant denied over having borrowed it, so the priest decided to lay the case before Ali Pasha. Ali called both parties in the court, and Pasha heard the statement of both parties. The Pasha told them that the conclusion will be in two weeks, and he ordered them to weight themselves before they live the court. After two weeks, Pasha called both parties in the court. He ordered them to be re-weighted. Ali saw the merchant had gained several pounds in weight, and the priest had lost weight. Ali Pasha turned to the merchant and asked him if he would rather restore the money or have his head cut off. The merchant at once prostrated himself, confessed the loan, and promptly repaid it with interest. (William Plomer, pg. 73). |
| One case involved an Albanian Jewish and a merchant. Both parties appeared in front of Ali. The merchant was blamed for stealing the jewelers from the pocket box of the Jewish. Pasha heard carefully both versions of the parties, and it was his to solve the case. In order to find the truth, Ali called few local artisans and ordered the same pocket box to be build. After the box was built, Ali asked the artisans can it be opened and how the jewelers can be taken. Artisans showed how the box could be opened. The case was solved. Many other cases were settled properly, and the success brought happiness to the parties. All the problems and complaints that arrived in the court of Ali Pasha were solved based on the laws and customs of that time. Ali Pasha proved the justice to his people, and he proved that he judged without any mistakes, discrimination, and prejudice. He was equally protecting the rights without prejudice. The citizens of Albania for Ali Pasha were all equal. To Ali Pasha, the religion did not play too much role. The Muslims, Christians, and Jews were the same in front of the eyes of Ali Pasha�s justice. |
| Ali Pasha formed the gendarmeries in Janina and other cities. The gendarmeries were enforcing the laws and policies of Ali Pasha, and they kept peace in the cities and towns. He opened a lot of hospitals, and he designated the days of the trade and shopping mall. Some of the rules and policies that were governing the trade were as follows: The main day for shopping must be on Saturday. Ali Pasha brought rules and policies to govern the shopping mall or the trade. Every person that wanted to sell his goods in the trade must register himself and the goods. Based on the weight or quantity of the goods, the taxes were paid; he or she must pay taxes for using the shopping mall. Fruits and vegetables must be fresh, and the goods must be sold within 24 hours. Fish must be sold within 12 hours. If the meat was kept in a cold place, the meat could be sold within 4 days. If the goods were decomposed or molded, the goods must be thrown in to the appropriate place and cover with soil. The dogs, horses, cows, and other animals were not allowed in the shopping mall. The shopping building must be maintained. The walls were very often painted with limestone. (Sabri Godo, pg 53) |
| The religion was free, and no one was allowed to commit any form of discrimination and prejudice. Every person in the territory of Ali Pasha must enjoy the right to pray and practice his or her religion. The six Albanian Orthodox Churches in Janina were announcing every Sunday their prayers. (Sabri Godo, pg 51) Also, the Albanian Catholic Churches were allowed to use their bells to announce their prayers. The Jews were allowed to pray in Synagogues every Saturday. All the religions were free. In every city, Ali Pasha opened elementary schools in Albanian language, Turkish language , in Gypsy or Greek language, and other languages. It is known that the real Greeks are Gypsies, or people who came from Egypt and India. In ancient time people who came from Egypt and India were called Gypsies. They were thieves and bad people, therefore they were called Greeks, from the old Latin word that meant thieves. By law, the children were obligated to go to school at least three days during the week. The attendance was mandatory. When Ali Pasha opened the doors of the schools in Albanian language, the Ottoman Empire took action to close them down; the news that the schools were �Madresses�, Muslim high schools, calmed down the Port. One day Ali Pasha visited the high school, �Zosimea�, where the voice of imams was heard far away. Ali Pasha was very happy with this visit. The laws and policies of Ali Pasha regulated many things. The justice was the only recognition to Ali Pasha, and he judged without any kind of discrimination and prejudice while defending the freedom and the rights of the people. |