The director of the "Xhevdet Doda" Gymnasium of Prishtina during the years 1998-1999, Binak Ulaj, evaluating the contribution of the students of the "Xhevdet Doda" gymnasium, of Prishtina in the framework of the combat organization of the People's Movement of Kosovo, which preceded the establishment and exit on the scene of the Kosovo Liberation Army, has said that they have left their mark on the historical flows of time.
Ukaj has given some details about the contribution made by the students of this school in support of the KLA war, while he has emphasized that the transformation of the magazine of the students of the high school "Xhevdet Doda" in Pristina - "Gymnazisti" into an urban mouthpiece of the KLA in Pristina.
Appreciating that the contribution of the students of the high school "Xhevdet Doda" of Pristina in the framework of the popular movement for the liberation of Kosovo and in particular in the framework of the combat organization of the People's Movement of Kosovo, which preceded the establishment and appearance of To the Liberation Army of Kosovo, since the nineties of the last century, I am reading the abbreviated text entitled "Xhevdetdodas - indomitable helpers of the KLA war", dedicated to that enthusiastic and idealistic group, as a sign of gratitude and eternal thanksgiving.
In 1997, Kosovo was entering a decisive historical period, that of rising to armed struggle, as the only way to be freed from the Serbian and Montenegrin invaders, as was foreseen in the programs of all the organizations of the National Liberation Movement. The support of the KLA war by the students of the "Xhevdet Doda" high school in Prishtina was preceded by the support of these same students to the Student Movement of the University of Pristina in 1997-98-99, which was the overture of the KLA's public appearance -'s. Xhevdetdodas will participate in all the demonstrations organized by UPS of UP.
In the circumstances when the political leadership of Kosovo, which represented the pacifist policy in circumstances of occupation, had not supported the Liberation Army of Kosovo, thus creating confusion and division among the people, the students of the gymnasium "Xhevdet Doda" of Pristina, namely the leadership of School Youth and its magazine "Gjimnazisti" of the school year 1998-1999 had acted in a radically different way from this pacifist policy - Xhevdetdoda graduates openly and powerfully gave the message of support for the war of the Kosovo Liberation Army. Students Samire Ademi, Besfort Rrecaj, Arianit Bytyçi, Fiton Peja, Bujar Sadiku, Kushtrim Berisha, Albana Rexhepi, Valbona Ruka, Ermal Sadiku, Kreshnik Gashi and other students since September 1998, i.e. at the time when they were elected at the head of the organization of School Youth and the editors of the magazine "Gimnazisti" had openly demonstrated their willingness and readiness to support the liberation war. Initially, in September 1998, they will invite those familiar with the political situation to a table dedicated to the KLA war, entitled "Kosovo, the liberation war and the possibilities of solving the Kosovo issue", in which they will participate professors Blerim Reka, Behlul Beqaj, Arsim Bajrami, the president of the Assembly of the Independent Union of UP Students, Muhamet Mavraj, professor Sahit Berisha and the director of the school Binak Ulaj, as well as the Head of School Youth, the editors of the magazine "Gimnazisti '' and a number of other students. After the discussions, a common conclusion was drawn that the liberation war was necessary and that it should be supported by everyone. Professor Shyqëri Obërtinca will immortalize this activity of the School Youth, as well as the participation of Xevdetdoda students in all the demonstrations of the time, with his camera.
In these circumstances of the war, the editor-in-chief of the magazine, Fiton Peja, the responsible editor Arianit Bytyçi, as well as the members of the editorial staff Bujar Sadiku, Krenare Sogojeva, Albana Rexhepi, Valbona Ruka, Nita Bekqeli, Kaltrina Berisha, Vegim Beqiri, as well as the student who had moved from Rahoveci, Qerim Ondozi, had prepared authorial writings, poems, interviews and surveys in support of the liberation war of the KLA.
All these journalistic articles were published by these students in the issue of the school magazine "Gimnazisti" published on the eve of the holiday of November 28, 1998. In this way, not only their dedication and maturity, but also their vision for the path of freedom would be proven. Thus, in "Gimnazist" published in November 1998, the responsible editor of "Gimnazist" Ariani Bytyçi in the article entitled "KLA is preparing for new victories" published after the offensive of September 1998 would write: Serbia should be clear that the offensive against the KLA has failed. Serbia may have temporarily taken control of some territories, but it has not destroyed the KLA and can never destroy it. KLA is the people themselves. The liberation war of the brave freedom fighters is entering an important phase and we must understand once and for all that only its continuation and a more active policy can free us from Serbia." So, as can be clearly seen, all the students' writings are permeated by the feeling of optimism in the victory of the war. Such is Bujar Sadik's report entitled "The boys of Artakolli do not surrender", where he writes, among other things: "Freedom fighters stand in defense of Artakolli." During the fighting, they caused great losses to the Serbian terrorist and paramilitary forces....Lajthishta can be seen further on, the ruins of which sleep on the edge of the ashes and smoke of "Kosovo B". Gunfire, bullets coming from the east in the direction of Hamidi and Siboc. Dusk fell, no light anywhere. A completely different world in Artakoll. The long night and the dawn of a new day, too late. Even so, we will live in these ruins, in our land, in the land of our ancestors. Here we are." Meanwhile, the editor-in-chief Fiton Peja in this issue of "Gimnazist" in an article co-authored with the responsible editor Arianit Bytyçi would present a bold political attitude for the time. "Without the direct participation of the KLA General Staff in the negotiations, no agreement on the future status of Kosovo can be reached. "Even the world must finally understand that after the Serbian aggression in Kosovo, the independence of Kosovo is the fairest and most stable solution to the problem of Kosovo," he wrote. Being an unreserved supporter of the UP Student Movement, the editors of the magazine "Gjimnazisti" conducted an interview with the president of UPSUP, Bujar Dugolli, on the first anniversary of the student demonstration of October 1, 1997. The interview with the powerful title "Youth will liberate Kosovo", conducted by students Arianit Bytyçi and Vegim Beqiri, was in the spirit of affirming the KLA war. The students also had a conversation with the high school teacher, Mrs. Nazlishahe Luma, who emphasized the importance of solidarity with students displaced from war zones.
In their writings and in particular with the publication on the front page of the emblem of the KLA together with the row of freedom fighters, with the publication of the oath of the KLA on the inside, a clear orientation for the readers appeared. I do not remember that the publication of articles with the real names of the authors and the open distribution in Pristina of a school magazine with such content in 1998 and 1999, was an act of courage and readiness to bear the consequences by these students, who were still in very young age. They were aware that the demand of certain political structures in Pristina, who for years have been singing the song of the hutin for maintaining peace under captivity, not to politicize the school with such writings, meant, in fact, its negative politicization .
The most special thing about this issue of the "Gymnazist", which with its content was completely in support of the liberation war of Kosovo, was that this issue of the magazine managed to be sent among the freedom fighters, members of the Staff General of the KLA in the Berisha Mountains and in the operational area of Shala, in Artakoll, at the foot of the Çyqavica Mountains. One of the members of the General Staff of the KLA, Fatmir Limaj-commander Çeliku, through a video recorded by the war cameraman Abaz Zeka, addressed the students of Xevdetdoda with the highest evaluations for the support given to the freedom fighters:
"As a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army, I greet all the students of the "Xhevdet Doda" gymnasium in Pristina....Within the pages of your school magazine, I see that all these young men and women with heart and soul are within our ranks. ...We know you want to be in our ranks. I promise you that they are not KLA soldiers, only those who have weapons in their hands. KLA soldiers are all those who help, who propagandize about the liberation war that your brothers and sisters are leading.
.... Once again, on behalf of the KLA, I greet you all.... I especially greet Arianit Bytyçi and the Editorial Board of "Gymnazist"
This message from the member of the KLA Youth Council, given on November 28, 1998, the day of our national holiday, was an additional motive for the editors of "Gimnazist" and for the School Youth Organization to continue the commitment in support of the liberation war. . At the moment when Commander Çelik's filmed message reached the editorial office of "Gimnazist", it was published in the festive issue of the magazine, in December 1998, without any fear of possible consequences that could come from the Serbian state regime, as a result of publication of this message, where the names of the leaders of "Gymnazist" were also mentioned and greetings and thanks were expressed to them. Even, not stopping at that, the editors of "Gimnazisti" in the next issue, which was the celebratory issue of the New Year 1999, had published on the front page exactly the photo of Commander Çelik browsing the magazine "Gimnazisti" and in the background of this a magnificent KLA logo was integrated into the photo, while the 1999 calendar with pictures of KLA fighters was also published in color on the cover. In this festive issue, students Bujar Sadiku, Arieta Dragusha, Arianit Bytyçi, Fiton Peja, Kushtrim Berisha, Albana Rexhepi, Vigan Shabani, Valbona Ruka, Arbëreshë Selimaj and Ylli Karaçica had published many authorial writings, reports, surveys, interviews, poems, and materials others in support of the KLA war.
Through the article "Soon we will return to our hearths" that was created by the graduates of '98, Valbona Ruka and Bujar Sadiku, the students displaced from the hearths of the war, Sokol Krasniqi, Arta Birinxhiku, Kosovare Kuçi, Arsim Bajraktari and Albana Ferizi. They unanimously emphasized that the liberation of Kosovo will be done by the KLA. Also, the student Vigan Shabani with the article "Drenica is not alone", expresses the determination to continue the liberation war until the achievement of the freedom and independence of Kosovo, while Ylli Karačica in his article invites for unity: "Until the brave fighters of the KLA - face the Serbian barbarians and criminals and fight with determination and sacrifice for the complete liberation of Kosovo, you our leaders remain divided. Join us, this is the last chance, because if we are late, history will not forgive us." - he writes. It is worth noting that in the 1998/1999 school year, the "Xhevdet Doda" gymnasium will welcome one hundred and ninety-three students from the war zones, most of them from Drenica, but also from other places.
For the sake of the truth, it is important to highlight the fact that the festive issue of "Gimnazist", for reasons of avoiding the Serbian terrorist police and military forces, was graphically produced by Xevdetdodas in the offices of "Bota se re" the UP student newspaper in the Velania neighborhood of Pristina. The editors of "Gimnazist" found the support of the editor-in-chief of "Bota e Re", Muhamet Mavraj, to use the premises of this newspaper mainly late at night for the graphic realization of the festive issue of "Gimnazist".
It should also emphasize the fact that thinking that they are not doing enough for the liberation war, some of these students of the "Xhevdet Doda" high school were determined to join the freedom fighters. I never forget the occasion when the student, Bujar Sadiku, came to my house together with professor Sahit Berisha, to say hello and say that instead of a bag of books, he would carry weapons.
Bearing in mind the order of the political representative of the KLA, Baca Adem Demaçi and that of the outstanding commander of the KLA, Shaban Shala, now Hero of the Nation, with whom I had the honor to meet and cooperate in KMDLNJ during the nineties, that the activity should also be focused on raising the awareness of citizens, especially young people, I managed to convince him that it is not known how long the war will last and that he and his friends had to make their contribution in Pristina. Their going to the war zones was also of particular importance because from there, these boys and girls wrote about specific war events, which they had seen themselves, and brought photographs, the publication of which made their magazine a tribune. public of the KLA.
