Peja, a small city located in western Kosovo, is known as entrepreneur, cultural and religious center of the country. Known as a friendly neighborhood for different ethnicities and religions, the majority 94% of population are Albanians, about 6% are Serbs, Montenegrins, Bosnians and Roma. The city’s quality hospital, which sits between the Orthodox and Catholic churches, serves the majority Albanian population.

Come 1998 and the beginning of 1999, everything changed. Serbs had started the war in Kosovo and robbed interethnic trust and neighborly courtesy. Albanian population was targeted and eventually expelled from Kosovo in utter disbelief that Serbs are doing this. Furthermore, health professionals and religious leaders were supporting ethnic cleansing policy. Serb health professionals started mistreating patients and colleagues just because they were Albanians. At the end of March and beginning of April 1999, Serbs doctors and nurses violated the very foundations of medical practitioners’ code of conduct. All Albanian patients and health workers were expelled from the hospital.

Serb politicians and the Orthodox Church wanted Kosovo without Albanians. The same church, Albanians had confidence and trust in and had visited and protected for centuries, now turned to be unsafe and dangerous. Thanks to the nuns and Don Lorenzo who extended refuge and care to patients and the staff in the Catholic Church.

In June 1999, tens of thousands Albanians returned to their homes in Peja that had become a ghost city. Everything was burnt, destroyed and choked to death. More than 11,000 houses were set alight and countless civilians, elderly people, women and children killed. Dead human and animals were found in the wells. People couldn’t find a source of drinking water, and whatever could be found for suspected of being poisoned. The people returned to live with no food, no shelter and fear of the landmines.

During the war, about 1,000 Peja Albanians were hiding in their basements. Mixed feelings, unanswered questions and consequences of war haunt them long time after the hostilities. The feelings of insecurity have passed on to the next generations. For them, million-dollar question remained ‘How to start a new life?’

Albanians have three religions, Catholic, Muslim and Orthodox. Albanians embraced Christianity in the third century when St Paul started preaching it in Illyria. His letters describe Illyria as a beautiful and peaceful place. Albanian ancestors, who lived in peace with neighbors for centuries, welcomed Slavs (today’s Serbs) descending from the Carpathian Mountains in the seventh century. Respect for guests has always been deeply rooted in Illyrian-Albanian tradition and culture.

During the 10th and 11th century, Albanians embraced Orthodox Christianity. Towards the end of 14th and beginning of 15th century, the Ottoman Empire entered the Balkans with their horses and swords. Albanians, Macedonians, Serbs and other nations put up a stiff resistance. The epic tale of Kosovo battle in 1389 speaks volumes about defense against the invaders. The locals resisted embracing Islam for four centuries till the end of the 19th and beginning of 20th century.

The post-Soviet break-up wars caused death and migration of millions in Europe. Serb leaders are to be blamed for wars in Kosovo, Bosnia, Croatia and animosities with other neighbors. However, ordinary Serb civilians cannot be accused for sins of their leadership. Common people helped each other. There are cases of Serbs civilians giving shelter and food to Albanians during the war, and Albanians protecting Serbs after the war too. Democratic forces in this part of the world were shocked over suppression of Serb intellectuals and religious leaders’ voice.

Two Popes had Illyrian-Albanian origin. Noble laureate Mother Theresa was an Albanian origin Kosovan. During the World War II, the local Albanians saved all Jews in Albania and Kosovo from the holocaust. Albania is the only country in the world where number of Jews increased during the WWII. Israel accords the distinction of ‘The Order of Righteous Nation’.

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