Sylejman Sylejmani
{{Infobox person
| name = Sylejman Idriz Sylejmani
| birth_date = January 29, 1953
| birth_place = Brovinë, Gjakova, Yugoslavia
| death_date = {{dda|2017|01|28|1953|01|29}}
| nationality = Albanian
| occupation = Professor, academic, politician, activist, and military commander
| years_active = 1980–2017
| known_for = Politics, educational activism, military leadership
| spouse = Fatime Sylejmani
| children = 6
}}
{{Short description|Albanian academic and politician}}
Sylejman Sylejmani (born January 29, 1953 – died January 28, 2017) was an Albanian academic, politician, military commander, and activist. He was a professor of chemistry at the University of Prishtina and served as the Education Minister of Gjakova. He also led the League of Albanian Educators (LASH) and was a co-founder of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Sylejmani participated in the Kosovo War and suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), reportedly as a result of torture endured during and prior to the conflict.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
Early life
Sylejmani was born on January 29, 1953, in Brovinë, Yugoslavia.{{Cite web |date=2018-01-28 |title=Sylejman (Idriz) Sylejmani |url=https://www.botasot.info/perkujtime/826990/sylejman-idriz-sylejmani/ |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=Bota Sot |language=Albanian}}
Career and activism
Sylejmani became a key figure in the educational and political movements in Gjakova. He assumed leadership of LASH in 1994 during an institutional crisis, succeeding Feti Dashi. Under his leadership, LASH stabilized and continued to advocate for the Albanian education system, which faced significant suppression by Serbian authorities. Throughout his career, Sylejmani endured multiple arrests, raids, and physical abuse by Serbian security forces, including those led by Streten Camovic. Despite these challenges, he remained active in the education sector and political activism.{{cite book |last1=Keçmezi-Basha |first1=Sabile |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ZdOAQAAIAAJ&q=sylejman+sylejmani |title=Të burgosurit politikë shqiptarë në Kosovë 1945-1990: (Gjatë viteve 1945-1990 në ish-Jugosllavi shqiptarët kaluan në burgje 666 shekuj, 72 vjet e 7 muaj burgim) |date=2009 |publisher=Logos-A |isbn=978-9989-58-322-3}}Dhuna dhe krimet Serbo-Malazeze Në Arsimin Shqip te komunës së Gjakoves ( 1990-1998 ) fq.34
In 2000-2007, Sylejmani served as the deputy mayor of Gjakova under Mayor Aqif Shehu, representing the LDK.https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/d/2/20464.pdf
Personal life
= Death =
Recognition and legacy
During his funeral, President Fatmir Sejdiu praised his dedication and contributions to Kosovo’s liberation.{{cite web |title=Varroset me nderime veprimtari Sylejman Sylejmani |url=https://radiogjakova.info/varroset-me-nderime-veprimtari-sylejman-sylejmani/}} In 2017, during the 27th anniversary of the LDK branch in Gjakova, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and LDK leader Luan Gola posthumously honored Sylejmani for his activism and contributions to the party from 1990 to 2017.{{cite web |title=Gjakovë, LDK shënon 27-vjetorin e themelimit |url=https://radiogjakova.info/gjakove-ldk-shenon-27-vjetorin-e-themelimit/}}
His wife received a posthumous certificate of recognition from the Institution of Pedagogy in Kosova (IPK) and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MASHT) for his contributions from 2007 until his death.https://ipkmasht.rks-gov.net/2017/03/21/u-d-drejtoresha-e-institutit-pedagogjik-te-kosoves-laberi-luzha-ndau-mirenjohje-pas-vdekjes-per-sylejman-sylejmanin/
References
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