Kol Bib Mirakaj and the Truth That Must Not Be Denied: Albania That Saved the Jews Flamur Bucpapaj

Kol Bib Mirakaj and the Truth That Must Not Be Denied: Albania That Saved the Jews
Flamur Bucpapaj
History is not the property of ideologies, but the responsibility of truth. One of the brightest chapters in Albanian history during World War II is the rescue of Jews in our country—a fact that for decades was distorted or silenced by communist historiography. This chapter is not merely a tale of moral heroism but also evidence that the Albanian people, institutions, and state acted with responsibility and human dignity during a period when Europe was engulfed in the darkness of Nazism.
In 1943, with the German occupation of Albania, many European Jews sought shelter from Nazi persecution. In Albania, this refuge became possible thanks to a combination of state and popular actions. Kol Bib Mirakaj, then Minister of Interior, and Xhafer Deva, a prominent political figure, played a decisive role. They issued orders and supported practices that prevented the handing over of Jews to German authorities. The Jews were issued Albanian passports, a formal act by the state that provided them with legal status and protection.
Mirakaj’s role was not merely administrative. With personal courage, he refused all pressure from the occupying authorities to hand over the Jews. Historical documents and testimonies from the Jews who were saved clearly show that Mirakaj accepted no material gifts, only a symbolic walking stick, demonstrating that his actions were guided by moral principles rather than personal gain.
The Albanian people played an equally important role. Ordinary families, villagers, and city residents sheltered Jews, hiding them in homes, mountains, and towns, often risking their own lives. This phenomenon is unique in Europe; Albania is one of the few countries where the Jewish population actually increased during the war—not because of arrivals from abroad, but due to the safe shelter provided by Albanians. This is a testament to Albanian “besa”, a deep moral code in which one protects another’s life as one’s own.
Despite these heroic actions, communist historiography denied these facts for more than four decades. The reason was ideological: Kol Bib Mirakaj and Xhafer Deva were political figures who did not fit the communist narrative. As a result, documents and testimonies of the Jews were ignored, and a bright chapter of Albanian history disappeared from the official collective memory.
There are numerous facts and documents supporting this history:
Albanian passports issued to Jews during 1943–1944.
Testimonies of the Jews who were saved and later went to Rome, where they expressed their gratitude to Kol Bib Mirakaj.
State archives showing the refusal of Albanian authorities to cooperate with Nazi Germany in the policy of extermination.
The consequences of these actions are still visible today. Albania created a unique heroic history that continues to influence international relations. The friendship with Israel is not merely political or diplomatic; it has historical roots. The Jews and the Israeli state recognize the sacrifices of Albanians and the protection they offered during World War II. This recognition has fostered a strong and essential relationship between the two countries, extending today into cultural, economic, and diplomatic cooperation.
The truth must not be denied. Not to rehabilitate ideologies, but to respect the facts, the documents, and historical conscience. Kol Bib Mirakaj, Xhafer Deva, the Albanian people, and the state institutions demonstrated that Albania could act with dignity and courage even in dark times. Their history is a lesson for today’s generations: morality and humanity are stronger than fear and pressure. Only by acknowledging these facts can Albania and the world build a fairer future and lasting friendship between peoples.