by Ismet Azizi. Translation Petrit Latifi

When Novi Pazar and Senica were threatened with extermination by the Serbian Chetniks, Mulla Jakup Efendi immediately organized the Rozaje and Bisevo people and also informed his friend in Kosovo, Shaban Polluzha, asking him to immediately come to the aid of the residents of Novi Pazar, because they were in danger from the Chetniks. These two people, in addition to Aqif Blyta, Xhemail Koničan and the Drešević (Dreshaj) brothers, played a key role in the defense of Novi Pazar from the Serbian Chetniks.

The fight for the defense of the eastern Sandzak was primarily humanitarian and humane. But also the volunteers led by Shaban Polluzha, who had experienced commanders around him, alongside him were the religious leaders Mulla Jakup Kombi, Mulla Zekë Bërdyna, Ilaz Spahiu – the hoxha of Broja, then Sak Fazlinë, the flag bearer of Rugova, who with this action also protected the Albanians living in these parts, respectively fought to protect the northernmost point of the Albanian lands.

The war of the Albanian volunteer forces, under the command of Shaban Polluzha, Bislim Bajgora, Pajazit Boletini, etc., had reached the northernmost parts of the territory of Sandzak inhabited by Albanians and Bosniaks.

The brave Albanians, upon reaching Duga Polana, the northernmost village inhabited by a Muslim – Albanian population – the units, namely the military forces and the inhabitants, were addressed with a short speech but with an indisputable authority by their legendary commander, Shaban Polluzha, who said: “Honorable brothers, we have come here to carry out a sacred mission – we are here to protect the families endangered by the enraged Chetniks. As you are aware, the Serbian criminals have killed and massacred the innocent population of this area. We, when we have had the opportunity, have always helped the endangered peoples. Therefore, in this context, this mission must be understood, which in the first place has a humanitarian and humane character. But, with this, we also protect a part of the Albanians who live in these parts. I wish us success in the war and I believe that we have the strength and morale to expel the Chetnik hordes from the bloody Sandzak”.

The father of Faruk Spahiu (mayor of Mitrovica in the years 2000-2005), Ibrahim Spahiu, has confirmed to the journalist Muhamet Mjeku that the fighters in Duga Polana were also addressed by his father, Ilaz Spahiu – the hoxha of Broja, who in the context of the religious rite emphasized that: “Your mission is humane and that someone may fall even on the front line, so greet each other. You are righteous before God. May the priests be blessed!”