Gjakova

Gjakova Gjakovë<
Country	Kosovo
Government
• Mayor	Aqif Shehu
Elevation	360 m (1,180 ft)
Population  (2005)
• Total	150,000
• Density	256/km2 (660/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1
Area code	+381 390
Website	Municipality of Gjakova

Gjakova.

Gjakova at night.

File:Vllaznimi KuqezinjeteDjakoves 01.JPG

Sport fans of sport club "Vëllaznimi", Gjakova.

Kosovar Albanian ethnic room in Gjakova.

Gjakova or Gjakovë is a city in western of the Republic of Kosovo. It is located at 42.39°N 20.43°E / 42.39; 20.43.

There are a number of theories concerning the name of the town: that it derives from the Albanian word for "blood" (gjak).

Geography and population

The name is also given to the surrounding administrative district, which covers an area of about 521 km², including the town of Gjakova, and 84 villages. Before the Kosovo War of 1999 it had a population of about 145,000. Kosovo Albanians constituted 93% of this community. The post-war population is now estimated to be about 150,000 people, out of which 90,000 live in the town, and the rest, 60,000 inhabitants reside in the surrounding villages.

History

Gjakova in the Kosovo War

Gjakova had a pre-war population estimated by the OSCE to be 93% Kosovo Albanians and 7% non-majority communities, including some 3,000 Kosovo Serbs, who mostly lived in the main town. The town was extremely badly affected by the war, suffering great physical destruction and large-scale human losses and rights abuses.

Yugoslav units stationed in and near the town, two military barracs to be more precise since the risk of an intrusion from Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) from across the border with Albania was evident, were attacked on several occasions by NATO forces. In one incident, NATO aircraft misidentified a convoy of Albanian refugees and attacked it, killing dozens of civilians.

Actions on the ground had a devastating effect on the town. According to the ICTY, OSCE, and international human rights organisations, about 75% of the population was forcibly expelled from the town by Serbian police and paramilitaries as well as Yugoslav forces, with many civilians being killed in the process. [1][2] Large areas of the town were destroyed, chiefly through arson and looting but also in the course of localised fighting between government security forces and members of the KLA. The actions of the government forces in Gjakova formed a major part of the United Nations war crimes indictment of the then-President Slobodan Milošević. [3]

During the Kosovo war this municipality was heavily affected and many atrocities were committed against the local Albanian population. The number of missing people from this municipality is among the highest in all Kosovo, numbering over 300. In the course of the current year several dozens of corpses have been identified and returned to their families, though it still remain a relatively small number compared to the figures of those who are still missing. As a result, any reference to the return of the former Kosovo Serb population remains highly sensitive. [4]

During the NATO bombing campaign, it was the site of the NATO bombing of Albanian refugees near Gjakova.

Most of the Albanians population returned following the end of the war. Albanians and other communities such as Egyptians and Roma, were successful in building free market system and new democratic institutions. In 2001 occurred free democratic election were majority leaded LDK. People from Gjakova are known to be very open minded and advanced. There were thousands of new stores rebuild and opened. Qarshia e Madhe is a good example were hundreds of stores destroyed during the war; in 2001 were build again as there were before the war. New media were launched such as Radio Gjakova, Radio Pandora, Radio Amadeus, TV Syri. Commencement of factory was influenced by local business. IMN brick factory was one of them commenced for the emergency need of population. Business were booming, foreigner organizations were good supporter and mainly their activities are based on free market trade.

Distinguished people from Đakovica

• Gjon Nikoll Kazazi (1702-1752), Albanian catholic cleric, patriot and intellectual in the 16th century Đakovica.
• Sulejman Vokshi (1815-1890), distinguished national hero.
• Bajram Curri (1862-1925), distinguished national hero.
• Beqir Vokshi (1890-1923),albanian patriot and military figure.
• Asim Vokshi (1909-1937), was the commander of the "Garibaldi Battalion" in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War.
• Bije Vokshi, born in Đakovica, Asim Vokshi's aunt. Her house in Tirana was the most important base and the foundation for the activities of the communists and partisans during second world war.According to Enver Hoxha she was one of the bravest woman in modern Albanian history.
• Hajdar Dushi, national hero, from the second World War.
• Emin Duraku, national hero, from the second World War.
• Hysni Zajmi, national hero, from the second World War.
• Mustafa Bakija, national hero, from the second World War.
• Mazllom Kepuska, national hero, from the second World War.
• Nexhmedin Nixha, national hero, from the second World War.
• Shani Nushi, national hero, from the second World War.
• Zenel Luzha, national hero, from the second World War.
• Muharrem Gazija, national hero, from the second World War.
• Ferhat Binishi, national hero, from the second World War.
• Isa Grezda, national hero, from the second World War.
• Ganimete and Abedin Terbeshi, national heroes (siblings) during the second World War. Ganimete was hanged publicly in the old bazar of Đakovica by fascist forces.
• Xheladin Hana, soldier in World War II, killed by UDBA in 1948.
• Haki Taha, Albanian nationalist and patriot who is believed to have executed Miladin Popovic in his office in 1945.
• Minush Lipoveci, albanian nationalist(tortured in Goli Otok).
• Zeki Shehu, albanian nationalist(tortured in Goli Otok).
• Zekeria Rexha, chairman of the Bujan conference in 1943.
• Ymer Pula (born 1921), economist and politician in Yugoslavia.
• Fadil Hoxha,(1916-2001),army commander, politician, Kosovo and Yugoslavian leader during the reign of Tito.
• Mahmut Bakalli,(1936-2006), politician, one of Kosovos leaders and a high official in Yugoslavia.
• Veli Deva, politician, high official in Yugoslavia during Tito's era.
• Xhavit Nimani, politician, high official in Yugoslavia during Tito's era.
• Professor Selman Riza (born 1909 in Đakovica), was a patriot and nationalist, university professor in Albania in the field of albanology and linguistics. He has left hundreds of books and volumes in the field of linguistics and his contribution in that field is immeasurable. He is recipient of many awards and decorations.
• Dr. Fehmi Agani, academic, university professor of sociology, politician. Top adviser and the intellect behind Ibrahim Rugova and LDK. He is considered to be a highly respected politician and professor. He was killed by serbs in 1999.
• Dr Gazmend Zajmi, a great academic, university professor, former president of the academy of science and arts in Kosovo.
• Dr Esat Stavileci (born 1942), one of the most distinguished Albanian academics ever, university professor of law.
• Dr Pajazit Nushi (born 1933), academic, university professor of psychology. Long time president of KMLDNJ (a human rights organisation).
• Dr. Bardhyl Qaushi, university professor of law, killed by serbs during 1999.
• Dr Enver Gjerqeku (born 1928) academic, poet and witer, university professor in linguistics.
• Dr Minir Dushi (born 1933), academic,university professor of geology and technical sciences.
• Dr Jakup Nushi (1938-1999), university professor of geology, killed by serbs in April 1999.
• Dr Qazim Lleshi (born 1931), university professor of geography. He published many scientific papers in his field of expertise.
• Dr Sabahudin Komoni (born 1941), professor and former dean in the Faculty of Economics.
• Dr Rauf Dhomi (born 1945), academic, composer, university lecturer of music education.
• Dr Ekrem Myrtezai (born 1931), academic, university lecturer at the faculty of philosophy.
• Dr Riza Binishi,professor and former dean in the Faculty of Medicine.
• Dr Suzana Manxhuka-Kerliu,professor of Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine,Priš‎tina University.
• Dr Fadil Batalli, (1943-2004), university professor in forensics.
• Dr Besim Bokshi (born 1930), academic, university professor in linguistics and literature.
• Dr Masar Stavileci, professor of French language and literature.
• Dr Masar Rizvanolli, university professor, historian.
• Dr Faik Hima, university professor in the faculty of medicine.
• Dr Gazmend Pula, founder and head of the Kosovo Helsinki Committee for Human Rights based in Priš‎tina and professor at the University of Priš‎tina, faculty of engineering.
• Dr Ruzhdi Sefa,(born 1952) professor in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering.
• Dr Ismajl Gojani,professor and dean in the Faculty of Engineering.
• Dr Avdyl Bunjaku, professor and former dean in the Faculty of Engineering.
• Dr Januz Bunjaku, professor in the Faculty of Engineering.
• Dr Bedrush Shehu, university professor, historian.
• Dr Qamil Haxhibeqiri, mathematics professor in Priš‎tina University.
• Dr Minir Efendija, mathematics professor in Priš‎tina University.
• Dr Remzi Bakalli, (1944-2007) academic,professor in Priš‎tina University and Georgia University in USA.Scientist in the field of agriculture.
• Dr Agim Zajmi, university professor in the agricultural faculty.
• Dr Ymer Jaka, university profesor of history and literature. Long time human rights activist for KMLDNJ.
• Dr Luljeta Pula-Beqiri, university professor and chairwoman of the Kosovo Social Democratic Party.
• Dr Jahja Koka (born 1948), physics professor in Priš‎tina university and in several American universities. Also lectured in Kuwait briefly. He has published many of scientific papers.
• Dr Faton Tefiku, inovator and patent holder in the field of engineering.
• Dr Fuat Rizvanolli, university professor in economics.
• Dr Skender Nushi, university professor at the chemistry faculty.
• Dr Talat Efendia, university professor in the agricultural faculty.
• Dr Fatmir Jaka, university professor in the agricultural faculty.
• Dr Esat Rizvanolli, university professor in the arts faculty.
• Dr Musa Stavileci, dean and professor in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture.
• Dr Violeta Rizvanolli-Nushi (born 1965), university professor in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture.
• Berhon B. Bakija, (born 1955) one of the most successful Electrical Engineers in Gjakova
• Academic Muslim Mulliqi(1934-1998), academic and university professor in the arts faculty.
• Professor Tahir Emra (born 1938), painter and senior professor in the faculty of Arts.
• Professor Esat Valla (born 1944), painter and senior professor in the faculty of Arts.
• Dr Aziz Dujaka, (born 1955) professor in the faculty of Physical Education.
• Professor Abdurrahim Buza(1905-1987), born in a family from Đakovica. He was a painter and lecturer.
• Ali Podrimja (born 1942), Albanian writer and poet.
• Din Mehmeti, Albanian writer and poet.
• Zekeria Cana, univerity lecturer in the field of history. A long time freedom activist and human rights advocates in Kosovo.
• Mrs. Sevdije Ahmeti(Carkaxhija), co-founder and former Executive Director at the Center for Protection of Women and Children in Kosovo.
• Dr. Vjosa Dobruna, co-founder and former Executive Director at the Center for Protection of Women and Children in Kosovo. She has a long history in campaigning for Albanian human rights in Kosovo.
• Dr Teuta Hadri (1956), obstetrician, served as a surgeon in the field for KLA forces. She has been involved from the early years in the nationalist movement.
• Avni Mula (born 1926 in Đakovica), well known composer and tenor in Albania. He is the father of the opera singer Inva Mula.
• Shkelzen Doli, violinist. In 1995 he joined the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra.
• Bekim Fehmiu (born 1936),one of the best actors in former Yugoslavia. Both his parents were from Đakovica. Father Ibrahim (b. 1892) and mother Hedije (b. 1908) were both born in Đakovica.
• Shani Pallaska,(1928-1999), Albanian actor in film and theatre.
• Ismet Peja (born 1937), considered by many as the best Albanian singer and interpreter of all times. He has founded the famous "Hajdar Dushi" orchestra.
• Shkelzen Jetishi - Xeni, currently considered by many as the best singer for city traditional music amongst Albanians. Follower of Ismet Peja tradition, by singing only pure Albanian songs and making only pure Albanian music.
• Qamili i Vogel (1923-1991), singer.
• Ymer Riza, pioneer of traditional Albanian city music in Đakovica.
• Zenel Doli, Albanian singer,well known for singing in duo with Xeni.
• Esat Bicurri, Albanian singer of light traditional city songs and music. Killed by serbs in 1999.
• Agim Cana (born 1956), professional football player.
• Lorik Cana, Agim Cana's son, professional footballer for Olympic Marseille and a player in the National Albanian Team.
• Besnik Hasi, professional footballer,played for Anderlecht in Belgium and a player in the National Albanian Team.
• Ardian Kozniku, Croatian footballer, member of the Croatian bronze-medal winning squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
• Naim Krieziu, distinguished football player for AS Roma,Italy.
• Vladimir Durković, former footballer.
• Neshet Zhaveli (born 1955), goalkeeper for many Yugoslav football clubs,including Rijeka.
• Kujtim Gorani, diving veteran from Mostar bridge.Also a multiple champion in diving from Ura e Fshenjte bridge in Đakovica.
• Besim Mulliqi, two time Yugoslav vicechampion in diving from Mostar bridge.Also a multiple local champion in diving from Ura e Fshenjte bridge.Died tragically while competing in Mostar in 1988.
• Gonxhe Xhiha, one of the first females in Yugoslavia to compete professionally in diving from Mostar bridge.
• Ardian Gashi (1981),football player in Norway for Fredrikstad FK.
• Dr Ardian B. Gojani, shockwave physicist.
• Prof.Dr. Rifat Ymeri the first Dentist in Kosovo.

External links

• SOK Kosovo and its population