So this is Part One:
Albania Sheltered Jews in the Holocaust
Albania, a Muslim nation, was perhaps the most prolific people in all of Europe when it came to saving the Jewish people from Hitler's genocide. Keep in mind, they weren't a neutral country able to let people in on their own. Albania was occupied by Italy. Italy--one of Hitler's allies. Still, the Albanian people put themselves in mortal danger to save innocent Jews.
By the end of World War Two there were more Jews in Albania than beforehand, perhaps the only occupied country to have this honor. For example:
“Why did my father save a stranger at the risk of his life and the entire village?” asked Enver Alia Sheqer, son of Righteous Among the Nations Ali Sheqer Pashkaj, who is featured in the exhibition. “My father was a devout Muslim. He believed that to save one life is to enter paradise.”
At the end of the war there were 2,000 Jews in Albania. There were only 200 in the nation at the beginning. While other nations (France) willingly gave up the Jews, Albania saved them. Albania is also pro-Israel, as well (perhaps the only Muslim nation except Kosovo or Kurdistan).
So God Bless Albania and Kosovo, the greatest nations in Europe.
1 comment:
Thank you for this: “My father was a devout Muslim. He believed that to save one life is to enter paradise.”
It is a reminder that all the major religions have good will at their hearts, regardless of loopy fringe elements. I believe that devout people of every religion, and spiritual people of no commitment to organized religious bodies, are au fond people who believe in being kind to others.
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