Customer Reviews

Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II

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This book restores one's faith in humanity. Goodness and caring for one's fellow human beings know no bounds of country or religion. This is a little known story of one country and one people's humanity and goodness. Yes, they are Muslims and yes they rescued Jews. How inspiring to read their stories. The photographs speak volumes. In this precarious world of ours this story gives one hope and knowledge of the goodness that humans are capable of. Thank you, Mr. Gershman for enlightening us and telling this dramatic and inspiring story. The photographs are beautiful. A must book for all time!

My Name is Hasim Cura.I was born in place called Ostros in Montenegro, as you can see I'm an Albanian Muslim,
I live in Australia, and one day I was listening in the Albanian News ,here in Sydney and I was interested to hear that My Albanian Muslim and Christians Brothers did help the Jews (Jevrej) as we call them, which I'm weary proud of them .The book was very eye opening for me because Living in Communists country like in Montenegro (X -Yugoslavia ) we didn't know because that's wasn't allow to to shove in the that time that Albanians where that Generous because us Albanian in X-Yugoslavia where Branded as Separatists and trouble makers.
Interestingly enough The BESA tradition is still being practiced today.
I liked the Book and I hope every Albanian and Jewish (Israelis) read this book. Also hope it helps all the family's that migrated to Israel after the war as well as the Palestinians in the same way they did receive Help.
Regards Hasim.

BESA is a code of honor rooted in Albanian culture and based on the faith of Albanian Muslims. It entails a rigid moral adherence demanding one take responsibility for the lives of others in times of need - and in Albania and Kosovo, Muslims sheltered thousands of Jews fleeing the Nazis. Photographer Norman Gershman spent five years gathering these stories and photos for BESA: this survey is a powerful, moving visual and oral history account and is a top pick for any collection strong in Judaic Studies and World War II History, as well as Muslim history and culture reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Bearing the name of this book I just want to clarify that "Besa" is not based on religion!!! Although I am Muslim, I would still like to make this clarification! Considering the author has read "Kanuni i Leke Dugagjinit", he should have known this already, instead of making such a statement. It is an "honor" to have such a name, especially considering the time period I was born in when Albanians in Montenegro weren't allowed to name their children Albanian names. "BESA"

The title is self explanatory but it can be a bit misleading. Besa is not exclusive to Alabamians of Islam religion but to all the Albanians. Nevertheless as you go through the stories and pictures on the book you quick realize that all the saviors who provided shelter to Jews during WW2 were muslim. Hence, when looked strictly from the perspective of the author and the stories on the book the title seems right, even though I would've changed "muslims" by "albanians".
A little note about the shipping: I received my fist book little bit messed up during shipping that's why I ordered the second one. I dint want to get bothered with RMA and I am glad I have two copies.

Marvelous picture book giving long overdue recognition to the Albanian Molsems, who followed the lead of their Monarchs, King Zog & Queen Geraldine, in Their righteous work to save Jews from the horrors of the Third Reich. Why this has taken so long to be celebrated and acknowledged is beyond me, but thankfully Norman H. Gershman, has corrected this slight.
Wonderful photos with beautiful accompanying stories. A joyful celebration of the best in people and a wonderful conversation starter.

Moving set of recollections by Albanian Muslims who saved Jews from Nazi oppression and who have been counted by Yad V'Shem as being among the righteous. BESA which might best be translated as "obligation" is an expression of their Muslim faith which made it natural for them to harbour and protect Jews not only from Albania, but from other European countries. Many of the stories have happy endings in that the Jews survived and moved on to other countries including Israel.

Indeed similar stories could be told of Kurds and Iranians.

Recently I read and reviewed Robert Satloff's Among the Righteous Lost Stories From The Holocausts Long Reach Into Arab Lands where he tried a similar search in Arab lands. Unfortunately the Arabs for various reasons have suppressed much about this period of time and the rounding up of Jews and others into North African Nazi concentration camps and the story there is not as cheering.

The book is a simple affirmation of decent humanity. Text is offset with excellent photographs of the persons involved. Recommended as a library book read, coffee table or on display if one has the room. Very enriching to read but its a large unusual size for a bookshelf. (If your family history touches this narrative it should be a must buy!)

In Albania, a country directly located across the Adriatic Sea from the "boot" of Italy, nearly two thousand Jews were saved from Nazi persecution in 1943 and 1944. Albania is fairly unique in that it had been majority Muslim for centuries. While Italy occupied Albania, the Jews were relatively safe, but with the withdrawal of Italy in September 1943, the Nazis assumed control of the country until late 1944. Photographer Norman H. Gershman travelled throughout Albania and neighboring Kosovo gathering family stories of the people who risked their lives and property hiding Jews in the surrounding countryside, in barns, in guest homes and, in many cases, taking them in their own households and claiming they were extended family.

The book's title comes from the Albanian for giving one's word of honor: Besa. This was intricately tied in with the Albanian (and Muslim) principles of giving aid to someone in need of help and defending one's guests. Surviving Jews told tales of Muslim Albanians arguing for the honor of helping their Jewish friends, neighbors and, oftentimes, complete strangers from foreign countries.

Gershman's photographs are all black and white and often include momentos that have been passed down in the family such as a table built by a Jewish refugee for his hosts and the wall where one man's father was nearly shot for refusing to tell where anti-German partisans were hiding in the nearby hills. I was most moved by the family that has been holding three elaborate books written in Hebrew since 1944. The Jewish family was afraid they would be damaged during their flight to Palestine so he asked his Albanian hosts to hold them until he got word. The family received word that they had safely reached Palestine, but were prohibited from sending anything by the Communist government of Albania. So, the Albanian father has passed the books on to his son while they await another letter and he is hoping not have to pass them on to his own son.

Besa, indeed.

Moving quotes:

"All Jewish children will sleep with your children, all will eat the same food, all will live as one family." - Prime Minister Frasheri of Albania. (p. 4)

"There is a saying: We would sooner have our son killed than break our Besa." (p. 20)

"Our father wrote that when he had the opportunity and the privilege to shelter so many Jewish families it gave him joy to put into practice his Islamic faith. To be generous is a virtue." (p. 30)

"Why hide a Jew? We just did it. It was the thing to do." (p. 34)

"As Muslims we welcomed them all. We welcomed them with bread, salt, and our hearts." (p. 42)

"My father said that the Germans would have to kill his family before he would let them kill our Jewish guests." (p. 58)

"I did nothing special. All Jews are our brothers." (p. 96)

humanity transcending all barriers. overwhelming stories we could all learn from as individuals and as humankind

Besa hes nothing to do with muslims, besa is pure Albanian, and was there long before the Albanians converted to Islam, (some). And religion is personal, Albanians saved the Jews because that is their nature.