by Fahri Xharra
The text below is a political and propagandistic stance, filled with controversial claims that are disputed by the majority of international academic studies on the history of the Albanians and the Balkans. Are we able to shut the Serbs’ mouths with facts?
Debunking Serbian myths and lies:
THE ORIGIN OF THE ALBANIANS AND THE “TAKING” OF KOSOVO AND METOHIJA
Serbian history has been falsified in order to create for the Albanians some kind of imaginary right, invented on false premises. Even today they cling to this great historical lie in order to justify their claims to take Kosovo.”
Written by: Bosiljka Milićević
The first problem concerns their name. They appear in history under several names. They call themselves Shqiptarë (Shćipetari), and there is nothing offensive in this name. According to this text, this word in their language means “highlanders” or “mountaineers.” Foreigners call them “Albanians,” after their place of origin – the so-called “Caucasian Albania.” According to this narrative, they lived in the Caucasus at a time when Armenia was a great kingdom and these tribes were considered part of it.
It is also claimed that the Albanian language contains many Armenian words, something that, according to the author, has not been sufficiently studied.
THE MIGRATION FROM ARMENIA
According to the text, in the 8th century, during the wars between the Khazars and the Arabs in the Caucasus, part of these tribes accepted Islam. In 730, a Khazar prince ordered their punishment. Some were killed, while others fled toward Arab territories, splitting into two groups: one toward Saudi Arabia and one toward Syria.
ARRIVAL IN SICILY
The largest group first settled in the areas of Arabia, but was later sent to Sicily, where it increased the Muslim population. Their leader is mentioned as Azëri Imer. Afterwards, according to this narrative, attempts were made to Christianize them.
ARRIVAL IN SERBIAN TERRITORIES
In 1042, after a Byzantine defeat, the commander George Maniakes (Gjorgjo Maniak) launched a campaign and took Albanians with him as auxiliary troops. After his death, this army disintegrated and the Albanians remained in the Balkans.
According to the text, they settled in Serbian territory with the permission of Prince Vojislav, in a place called Rabani, and from there they took the name “Arbanas.”
LIFE IN THE MIDDLE AGES
It is said that they engaged in livestock breeding and lived in villages. Serbian medieval laws (such as that of Dušan) protected them, but also imposed taxes on their pastures.
DURING THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
According to the text, with the arrival of the Ottomans they declared themselves Muslim in order to gain privileges. It is claimed that they later expanded into other territories and often took part in looting (as bashibozuks).
THE OTTOMAN REGISTER OF 1455
The text refers to the Ottoman register (“defter”) for Kosovo, in which it is claimed that the overwhelming majority of the population was Serbian, while Albanians constituted a very small percentage.
RELATIONS BETWEEN ALBANIANS AND SERBS
According to this narrative, relations were initially good and there was no hostility before the arrival of the Turks.
ALBANIANS AS ILLYRIANS – A “HISTORICAL MISTAKE”
It is claimed that the idea that Albanians are descendants of the Illyrians was created in the 18th century by the German historian Hans Thunmann, for political reasons of the European powers.
WHO WERE THE ILLYRIANS
In this text it is claimed that the Illyrians were in fact Serbs and that the term “Illyrian” was used for them in the Roman Empire.
THE CORE OF THE PROBLEM
According to the author, Albanians have historically been used by the opponents of the Serbs and have no historical right over Kosovo.
HISTORICAL FIGURES
The text claims that figures such as:
- Skanderbeg
- Lekë Dukagjini
were not Albanian, but Serbian, and that Albanian legal traditions are connected to medieval Serbian laws.
CONCLUSION
The text concludes with the claim that history has been falsified and that the territory of Albania and Kosovo belongs to Serbia.
