Documented Albanian freedom fighters and highlanders from Rugova through out the 20th century – Part One

Photos and information gathered from relatives.

This article is dedicated to the Albanians locals and freedom fighters from Rugova. The article mentions: Isuf Zymeri, Isuf Rexhepi, Hasan Riza, Zhukë Haxhië, Riza Zymeri, Sak Fasli, Sali Rama, Zhuka Haxhi, Avdi Rexhepi, Sokol Bekë Muriqi, Idriz Bekë Muriqi, Gjemajl Isuf Lajçi, Isuf Rexha, Reko Smajli, Imer Asllani Nikqi, Fatime Bajrami Xhaferaj, Misin Niman Sejdaj, Fazli Zymeri, Kapllan Selimi, Haxhi Bajrami Xhaveraj, Mustaf Isufi Beqiraj, Haxhi Metë Lajqi, Zhuj Brahimi Ramaj, Zhuja Keri Bardhaj, Arif Reka, Fazli Zymeri Gjevukaj, Shaban Kasem Nikqi Pecaj, Selman Iberdemaj, Zemel Idriz Iberdemaj, Shaban Idriz Iberdemaj, Ali Idriz Iberdemaj, Xhem Sadri Iberdemaj, Rame Elezi Iberdemaj, Sadri Elezi Iberdemaj, Mustafe Coli Mustafaj, Haxhi Meta Lajci, Caf Sokoli, Rrustem Qaushi, Shaqir Nokshiqi, Agan Seku, Elez Rexha, Ram Meta, Imer Muji, Sali Muji, Qel Shabani, Ram Elezi, Zek Hyseni, Zyk Hysenja, Gale Haradinaj, Shaban Meta, Sadik Harabadi, Ram Keri, Ali Brahimi, Rrustem Haradini, Haxhi Tahiri, Salo Rama, Ibër Cukaj, Arif Hajdaraj, Halil Shpend Lulaj, Ramë Bekë Muriqi.

Isuf Zymeri (18898-1961) Son of Zymer Selmani. He was imprisoned for 3 years.

Who was Isuf Rexhepi?

Taken from the book “RUGOVA KRESHNIKA AND ITS HISTORICAL PAST”, p. 171.

“The people of Koshutan together with their relatives come out and bury them a few meters from the place where Rizë Zymeri was killed. According to the data, Hasan was condemned because of the fear that he would take revenge for his father. Hasan Riza left no descendants, he was engaged to the daughter of his father’s comrade-in-arms Zhukë Haxhië

Isuf Rexhepi was born in the village of Shkrel in Rugova on 19.03.1915. He comes from a Rugova family of the Shkrel tribe of Rugova and belongs to the Demaj family brotherhood.

Isuf Rexhepi was educated under the guidance of Rugova and the Shkrels known in numerous wars and battles such as those of the Rexhajs of Zhuje Kasemi and others. Later, Isufi himself will become a worthy fighter for the defense of Albanian lands against the Serbo-Montenegrin hordes.

In the Second World War, respectively in time of Albania. When the Rugova people were lined up towards the border area with Montenegro to protect themselves from the Montenegrin hordes, Isuf Rexhepi was there too.

He was in the ranks of the fighters and volunteers of Riza Zymer’s unit, but he was often in the ranks of other units such as that of the Rugova bannerman Sak Fasli, Sali Rama, Zhuka Haxhi and others where there was a need.

He was most of the time in Smilovicë and its surroundings. In 1943, when a group of Serbo-Montenegrins had crossed into Rugova, eleven of them had died in Dromodol, and only one of them had survived.

After the end of the war and the re-occupation of Kosovo, the murderers were discovered, among them was Isuf Rexhepi. He had been arrested and imprisoned in the Sheremet Tower.

In the infamous Tower, which was turned into a prison in 1946, Isuf Rexhepi was also imprisoned. Isufi had managed to escape the massacre which…”

Isuf Rexhepi and Avdi Rexhepi, brothers from the village of Shkrel. Isufi, a political prisoner, served his sentence for 20 years in the so-called Sremska Mitrovica, where he remained until his death. He was killed there and his body is still there today. While his brother was mistreated every day by the Serbian commander Radiq Bogoljubi.

Sokol Bekë Muriqi with his brother Idriz Bekë Muriqi from Koshutani, a symbol of bravery, work and pride, enjoyed the respect of the entire Rugova and Peja region.

Gjemajl Isuf Lajçi from Drelaj, Rugova. 3 years and 6 months before his family returned to the war of Nokshiqi, Mokna, and Shekullari.

Isuf Rexha from Bogët and Reko Smajli, son of Migje.

Isuf Rexha was a great man with a strong voice, honor and spirit. In the difficult times of Ranković and even in the time of Tito, he did not bow, did not break and did not lower his head. He stood straight as a mountain, with faith in his heart and pure love for the nation.

He was an example of manhood, courage and endurance, a name that time does not erase. His memory lives in history, in Bogë and in our hearts

Imer Asllani Nikqi from Reka e Allages with his wife Fatime Bajrami Xhaferaj (Nikqi family in the year: 1962)

Misin Niman Sejdaj was a great warrior. A lute singer of merit and an elder among the elders of Rugova. He was with Fazli Zymeri together with Kapllan Selimi from Kuqishte. Misin, Kapllani and Fazlia are deceased.

Haxhi Bajrami Xhaveraj from Dugaiva in Rugova with his nephew Mustaf Isufi Beqiraj from Bogt. Haxhi was a great patriot who suffered greatly from the Yugoslav/Serbian regime of that time.

Family of Muriqi (Lucaj) nga Zahaq

Haxhi Metë Lajqi from the village of Pepaj with Zhuj Brahimi Ramaj from the village of Koshutan

Zhuja Keri Bardhaj and Arif Reka

Various Rugova highlanders.

Fazli Zymeri Gjevukaj of Rugova

Unknown

Shaban Kasem Nikqi Pecaj

Two men from the small village of Shtupeq who were killed by the Serbian forces. Selman Iberdemaj, 96 years old, and Zemel Idriz Iberdemaj.

Istref Iberdemaj’s father was struggled with the armed Serbian invader and was killed along with his 2 brothers Shaban Idriz Iberdemaj, Ali Idriz Iberdemaj and Xhem Sadri Iberdemaj.

These 4 were killed, massacred and then burned
on May 1, 1999.

The Brothers Rame and Sadri Elezi Iberdemaj. Sadria was one of those who did not forgive the the Serbs for the massacres of the Serbs in Gorozhdevc. Sadria had killed two Serbian commanders, Verk Letine and Manoil, who had committed terrible massacres in Shtupeq e Vogel and Rugova.