Following his tribute in Prekaz, Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, emphasized that the heroic fall of Shaban, Adem, and Hamëz Jashari represents the very essence of the Kosovo Liberation Army’s (KLA) Epic.
Kurti stated that the KLA’s Epic gave unstoppable momentum to the armed uprising and liberation war, sparking widespread demonstrations and unprecedented solidarity among Albanians in the Balkans and the diaspora. At the same time, he noted, it raised international awareness and drew the attention of global diplomacy.
“The KLA’s Epic gave an unstoppable boost to the armed uprising and the liberation war. Mass demonstrations erupted, and an unprecedented wave of solidarity emerged among Albanians across the Balkans and beyond in the diaspora. Meanwhile, it also raised awareness among the international public and global diplomacy,” Kurti said.
Reflecting on the ages the Jashari family members would have reached today, Kurti honored their legacy, stating that while they are no longer physically present, their sacrifice remains immortal.
“Today, Baca Shaban would have turned 100 years old, Hamza would have been 75, and Adem 70. They are no longer with us physically, but they only have birthdays. Their death, their heroic fall, is the KLA’s Epic,” he declared.
Despite their absence, Kurti emphasized that their legacy lives on through their surviving family members and, most importantly, through an independent and democratic Kosovo.
“Although we no longer have Supreme Commander Adem Jashari, Baca Shaban, Hamza, and all those who sacrificed themselves 27 years ago, we still have Baca Rifat, whom we will visit today, surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But above all, we have the Republic of Kosovo—thriving with democracy and development,” Kurti concluded.
