Turiqec, January 18, 2017 – The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, paid homage today at the grave of Haki Imeri in the village Turiqec of Skenderaj.
President Thaçi said that family Imeri, in Vojnikë, from the beginnings of the KLA had become a base.
President Thaçi told that one of its members, Imer Imeri, during his stay in Germany, as a laborer created bonds with the leaders of the patriotic movement, namely with the distinguished patriot, writer and journalist Jusuf Gërvalla.
Under the patronage of President Thaçi, in honor of Imeri Haki, in the Elementary and Secondary Low School “Abedin Rexha” in Turiqec, a Memorial Academy had been organized.
President Thaçi said that, Haki, as a young intellectual, a professor formed and educated with patriotic spirit, was part of the patriotic activities of the time.
“He was distinguished as a pedagogue and as a wise and beloved man in the school of his birthplace and in Turiqec”, he said.
President Thaçi told that Haki was also active in the popular movement of the reconciliation of blood feuds. Whereas, upon the coming to scene of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Haki and many other members of family Imeri, had joined the fight for freedom and liberation.
“Today, this family counts nine veterans. These are men and boys who proudly besides the status for veterans also carry the names with significant and patriotic meanings”, said President Thaçi.
Even his ancestors, from Ymer Binaku onwards, President Thaçi said that they were side by side with the insurgents of the Kaçak movement, movement which had its roots in the war against the rule of the Ottoman Empire in the early twentieth century, to proceed against the Serbian invasion starting from the first and second Balkan war.
The President said that alongside warriors like Azem Bejta, Shotë Galica, Ahmet Delia, Shaqir Smaka, Miftar Dauti and many many others, was also Ymer Binaku, the grandfather of Imer Imeri, who not even a single day did leave the Serb forces peaceful and secure.
“Family Imeri did not halt the resistance even during World War II. In the most difficult days, the other member of this family, Tahir Ymer Binaku joined the resistant forces of Commander Shaban Polluzha. These insurgents were identified with the fate of their people”, he added.
President Thaçi said that Drenica and entire Kosovo, even during the long period of the Yugoslav administration, never stopped the fortitude.
“Even being discriminated in a specific manner, Drenica kept alive the tradition of the liberation war of Azem Bejta and Hasan Prishtina, of Shaban Polluzha and Fazli Greçevci, Tahir and Nebih Meha. The sacrifice of the legendary commander Adem Jashari, the Epopee of the Kosovo Liberation Army on March 5, 1998 were events that gave new impetus to our centuries long efforts for freedom and liberation”, stated President Thaçi.
Kosovo has successfully passed all stages of history, but according to President Thaçi, for the realization of the ideal of freedom and liberation many generations have sacrificed themselves.
“For a free and independent Kosovo thousands of martyrs sacrificed their lives. For Kosovo a democratic and sovereign state thousands of martyrs sacrificed themselves. Without the sacrifice and the effort of every citizen we would not be free”, noted the President.
Today when we honor Haki Imeri, President Thaçi said that Kosovo has entered the 17th year of liberation and the 9th year of independence.
“Kosovo’s path from the efforts of liberation and up to the state building stages is a success story”, he added.
The President stressed that all jointly as citizens and as institutions we have the obligation and mission to build a modern Kosovo, where all people should feel proud.
“Proud of the glorious past. Proud with the bright future”, he said.
President Thaçi awarded the distinguished intellectual, pedagogue and activist, Haki Imeri, with the order “Hero of Kosovo”.
President Thaçi emphasized the need for even more work to be done so that the ideal for which all the heroes and martyrs have sacrificed to be institutionalized.