Xhemal Nikaj: Educator and Albanian activist remembered

Xhemal Nikaj (1946–2023) was a prominent Albanian educator, humanitarian, and activist in the Malësi e Madhe region of Montenegro. A graduate of the Gjakova Normal School, Nikaj dedicated his life to Albanian education and the preservation of national identity.

Nikaj is noted for his courageous actions in 1968, when he raised the Albanian flag in Malësi, an act that led to persecution by the authorities at the time. He was also a significant figure in humanitarian efforts during the Kosovo War (1998–1999) and was recognized for his commitment to inter-religious coexistence and the rights of the Albanian community, including efforts regarding the Tuzla Municipality.