Muslim Family Honored
by ADL
New
York , NY : A Muslim family which saved 26 Jews from the Nazis
and led them to safety in the mountains of Central Albania
was honored by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) with its Courage
to Care Award.
The award was presented posthumously to Mefail and Njazi Biçaku
on International Rescuer's Day, January 17, in New York City
. Accepting the award on their behalf were family members
Muhamet Biçaku, Elida Hazbiu and Qemal Biçaku,
two of whom came from Albania .
Michael Salberg, ADL Director of International Affairs, who
presented the award said; "Mefail, his son Njazi and
their entire family had the courage to care. Through their
compassion and valor without regard for religious or ethnic
differences they upheld the honor of the human race and the
conscience of the world. In the moral void that engulfed the
world in those nightmare days when the cruelty of the Nazis
ran rampant, the Biçaku family was among those few
shining stars."
H.E. Adrian Neritani, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania
to the United Nations spoke at the award ceremony as did Dr.
Anna Kohen, President of Motrat Qiriazi, the Albanian American
Women's Organization and Myriam Abramowicz, filmmaker and
originator of the Hidden Child Movement.
On September 1943, as the Nazis began searching for Jews in
the region, word reached Mefail Biçaku that a number
of people were in great need of help. Mefail, a man well-known
for his bravery and honesty, gave his "besa"- his
word of honor - that he would protect, feed and shelter them.
Njazi, his son, guarded their charges constantly, and when
bandits in the area suggested Mefail turn the Jews in and
claim their wealth, he refused.
In February 1944, when the Nazis descended upon the mountain
hiding place, not a single Jew fell into their hands. During
the Holocaust, Albania was the only country in Europe that
protected and sheltered its entire Jewish population, both
native and foreign. Through the valiant efforts of Muslims
and Christians, all of Albania 's Jews survived the Holocaust.
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