In the collective memory of the events of March 1998 in Prekaz, the resistance and sacrifice of the Jashari family are often mentioned. But among those difficult days, there are also stories that have remained in the shadows. On March 5, 1998, Serbian forces surrounded the Prekaz area, launching a large military offensive. The target of this offensive was the village of Prekaz, specifically the family of Shaban Jashari, because his sons, Hamza and Ademi, had founded and were leading the first cells of the KLA (UÇK) in this area.
However, the violence carried out by the Serbian aggressor made no distinctions. As a result of the Serbian offensives in 1998, members of the Gashi family were also among the victims. At that time, Serbian forces killed 59 people in Prekaz, three in Polac, two in Llaushë, two in Turiqec, one in Burojë, and one in Tushilë—68 people in total, of whom 40 were unarmed civilians. Among the civilians, 26 were female and 14 male; 18 were minors, while five were over 65 years old; 37 were Albanians and three were Ashkali.
The first to be killed in this offensive, on March 5, 1998, were Fatime Gashi, a 50-year-old woman from the Ashkali community, together with her children, 16-year-old Gazmend and 13-year-old Makfirete. They were killed in the early hours of the offensive. However, despite the fact that this was a tragedy that affected everyone without distinction, not all victims have received the same attention in public memory.
The story of the Gashi family remains one of those stories that are rarely told. A silent remembrance of innocent civilians who lost their lives in the same tragedy. Even today, nearly a quarter of a century later, their names are mentioned less, although their sacrifice and martyrdom are part of the same history. In some cases, this silence is also linked to stereotypes created over the years, including ethnic belonging, leaving in the shadows narratives that should be part of collective memory.
Therefore, it is important to emphasize that today’s generations often do not have complete information about these events, precisely because of the absence of such narratives. In reality, various witnesses confirm that not only in Prekaz, but throughout the territory of Kosovo, especially in the Dukagjini Plain, Egyptian, Ashkali, and other communities also had martyrs, victims, and casualties in the last war. There were also members of these communities who were part of the Kosovo Liberation Army, as stated by commanders of various brigades. However, their contribution remains little known and is rarely fully addressed, whether by individuals, groups, or the media.
Therefore, returning to this story, it becomes clear that the importance of coexistence and shared contribution is essential for building a fair and inclusive memory. This story shows that the violence of that time made no distinctions and that memory should not be partial. Because on that day, no one was separated by ethnicity. Violence did not discriminate. Bullets did not ask questions.
Today, nearly a quarter of a century later, the names of Fatime, Gazmend, and Makfirete are mentioned less. But their story is just as much a part of that day. A story that asks for nothing more… just like other stories… except not to be forgotten. Because memory should not be partial, as it loses its meaning if it is not complete… and completeness is achieved only when all those involved are part of the narrative…
It is time for our memory institutions to include the names of Fatime, Gazmend, and Makfirete on commemorative plaques and in history books.