by Lahri Brahimaj
Transcribed:
“20.01.1969 – 23.04.1998
Shefqet Alijaj, like the martyrs Bekim, Sadik, and Din Alijaj from Hereq, is one of the distinguished fighters — not only of the Alijaj family from Hereq, but of the entire village and the broader Reka region, where he fought until the very last breath of his life.
Shefqet Alijaj was born on 20 January 1969 in Hereq. He was the eldest child among four brothers and one sister. His father, Selim Musa Alijaj, and mother, Zejnepe Alijaj, are today proud of their son and the heroism he displayed in the struggle or national liberation.
Shefqet was married and had three children: two sons and one daughter. He completed primary school in Gramaqel and secondary school in Gjakova. He performed his military service in the town of Vipava in Slovenia.
Whenever the national issue was at stake, Shefqet stood out in various activities, especially in his birthplace, the village of Hereq. He was among the first to participate in the protests of 1989 and 1990. He was actively involved in organizing the village youth in the resistance against the Serbian occupier. Together with his fellow villagers Sadik (now a national martyr) and Ukë, he worked intensively on the organization of the village. He was even entrusted with — and honorably carried out — the duty of unyielding commander of the village of Hereq.
On 21 April 1998, Shefqet Alijaj joined the ranks of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). He fell in the field of honor, as true heroes fall when fighting for their homeland.
The commander who replaced Shefqet Alijaj as village commander of Hereq after he watered the soil of Kosovo with his blood — his cousin Xhavit Alijaj — recalls with deep respect the last testament of his commander:
“Listen, brother,” he said to Xhavit, “I am leaving with these comrades of mine to bring weapons. It is up to you to organize the youth and the villagers until I return from Albania. So, get to work immediately.”
However, Shefqet Alijaj was among the first to fall heroically in the Battle of Koshare on 23 April 1998, while returning with weapons that he never managed to bring to his birthplace.
Thus, he died so that he may never die.
— Recounted with Xhavit Alijaj”
