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Second Congress of Manastir

The Second Congress of Manastir was an Albanian congress held on 2–3 April 1910 in Manastir, back then Ottoman Empire, today's Bitola in the Republic of North Macedonia. It dealt with the challenges that the Albanian language and schools faced at the time within the context of the empire, and the platform to overcome them.

Background
The First Congress of Manastir of 14–22 November 1908, known as the congress of the Albanian alphabet, established a Latin script based alphabet to be used as a standard for Albanian writings, marking an important moment in the history of the Albanians. ==Event==
Event
The congress was organized by the "Bashkimi" (The union) society branch of Monastir, which was itself represented by 5 members. The sessions were held in "Bashkimi"'s premises as well. A strong support came from the Albanian activist Salih Gjuka, recently appointed as Inspector of Education for the Vilayet of Monastir. Other "Bashkimi" branches which sent delegates were from Ohrid (2 delegates, one of each was Xheladin bey Ohri), Istanbul branch represented by Dervish Hima, Korçë branch represented by Shefki Efendi, Negovan branch by Petro Nini Luarasi, Elbasan by Gani Bey Gungu, Struga by Abdullah Rushiti, Starovë by Hajdar Blloshmi, and Kočani had 1 representative. A significant fact is that for the first time in an Albanian education congress, the representation from the Vilayet of Kosovo was substantial. Kosovar participants were Bedri Pejani, Rexhep Mitrovica, Qamil Bala, Bejtullah Bey Gjilani, Shyqyri Ramadan Begu of Pristina, Salih Gjuka, Hysni Curri, and Sabit Bey of Vushtrria. Supporting telegrams arrived from the branches which could not send delegates, from Smirna, Salonika, Kolonja, Lerini, Bilisht, Durrës, Shkodër, Vlora, Berat, Tepelena, Delvina, Leskovik, Preveza, and Tirana. Other sources mention Ibrahim Jegeni as representative of the "Bashkimi" branch of Upper Dibra region, Fehim Zavalani, Rifat Zavalani, Qazim Iljaz Pasha Dibra for Monastir, Tefik Efendi Panariti representing the "Dituria" (Knowledge) society of Korçë, Xhafer Ypi representing Konitsa, and Ali Efendi Zaimi representing Yenice. • A pan-Albanian congress would follow up in Yanina on 3 July 1910, which would establish a political platform and close once and for all the topics of the Albanian alphabet and schools. • The Latin-script alphabet was accepted for the Albanian language. • A request would be sent to the Wali and the Ottoman Albania representatives in the Ottoman parliament, demanding protection for the Albanian Orthodox Church, and halting the Greek propaganda. (This request was initiated by Petro Luarasi). • An Albanian language newspaper to be opened in Uskub (Skopje), and the Albanians schools should continue to spread. • An interpretation would be required by the Shaykh al-Islām, explaining if the Latin script created any contradiction with what was written in the Quran. • An Albanian delegation would meet with the Sultan during his pronounced visit in the Monastir and Kosovo Vilayets. The delegation would require a general amnesty for all Albanian rebels, accepting on the other side that they fulfilled their military service duty in the Ottoman army. Other less important decisions dealt with the organization and operation of the Albanian language societies and clubs. The final declaration stated that: ==Aftermath==
Aftermath
The congress was successful in the prism of its goals. A clear respond was sent to the Ottomans that the Latin-script would be the only one, "the alphabet of the Albanian people", and confirmed continuity of the decision that came out of the first congress of 1909. Despite the difficulties, the Albanian language education continued to spread. The Young Turk government suppressed all schools, patriotic societies and clubs (even the "Bashkimi" one) after the Albanian Revolt of 1910. With the revolt of 1911 and 1912, the status will be regained.{{cite book| last = Shaw| first = Stanford J.| author-link = Stanford J. Shaw|author2= Ezel Kural Shaw| title = History of the Ottoman Empire and modern Turkey| chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=AIET_7ji7YAC&q=demands+of+albanian+rebels+1912&pg=PA293| volume = 2| orig-date = 1977| year = 2002| publisher = The Press Syndicate of University of Cambridge| location = UK ==See also==
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