Biçaku Mefail ; Son: Njazi

Biçaku, Mefail Biçaku, Njazi In March 1943, on the eve of the major deportation of Jews from Macedonia, Rafael Faraggi from Bitola managed to escape and he found temporary refuge with a Christian friend. Faraggi soon felt compelled to move on and decided to head for Albania. He was caught at the border and sent to prison. One month later, Faraggi was sent to the transit camp in the town of Kavajë, Albania, where the Jews had to report daily to the local police, but were otherwise left alone. In September 1943, after the Germans entered Albania, Faraggi fled to Tirana, where he acquired false papers from the Albanian underground. When the roundup of Jews commenced there in March 1944, Faraggi fled in the direction of the Yugoslav border with his friend Jakov Aroesti. On their way, the two escapees entered the yard of a home in Elbasan. The owner of the house gave the two men water and, when he then discovered that they were Jews, suggested that they turn to Mefail Biçaku who lived in the village of Qarrisht-Librazhd, and was known as someone who afforded help to Jewish refugees. Faraggi and Aroesti then left for Struga, where they made contact with a person whose name they had been given in Elbasan. He then escorted the two Jewish men to Biçaku, who was already hiding 17 Jewish refugees. Biçaku and his 19-year-old son, Njazi, took care of all their wards’ needs, bringing provisions from Struga purchased with money provided by the Jews. They hid the group of Jews in huts outside the village that had been especially constructed for this purpose. Each hut was guarded by one of the Biçaku sons, armed for their protection. During the bombardments, many Albanian villagers also fled to the nearby forests and sheltered themselves not far from the huts. One day, the Jews saw the Albanians light a fire, and then they heard shots and saw some men approaching them. The Jews were certain that they were about to be caught but it transpired that the men were local Muslimswho were bringing them some roasted lamb that they had prepared in honor of a religious festival. These Albanians knew that Biçaku was hiding Jews and they wanted to show their solidarity with the refugees. Apart from Faraggi, the Biçakus rescued Simon Aroesti’s family of three; Maja Aroesti’s family of three; and Binuta and Joseph Rubenović and their children, Jack, Sami (later Rav-On) and Buna (later Baruhović). In September 1944, when news arrived that part of Macedonia had been liberated, the Jews returned to their homes. Faraggi then joined Tito’s partisans and fought with them until May 1945. Biçaku and his son Njazi demonstrated a lot of courage during the war; there were some residents in their village who could have informed on them yet they nevertheless did not let fear deter them from their acts of friendship and loving-kindness. Faraggi and Biçaku remained in touch with each other for years after the war. On May 5, 1996, Yad Vashem recognized Mefail Niazi Biçaku and his son, Njazi Biçaku, as Righteous Among the Nations. File 6782