Arben Llapashtica
English Proficiency and Academic Writing
Instructor:
Molly Staeheli
After a couple of months tudying at Kosovo Institute of Journalism and Communication (KIJAC) I have started to think in a different way than before. What does this mean, it means that like six months ago I saw at things differently than now espcially in the professional point of view as a media man.
The first thing that has influenced me mostly is the way how things are done at KIJAC. I have to say that in KIJAC everything is very professional and useful for me as a person that has background in TV journalism here in Kosovo.
Since I have quite of experience visually as a camera person with 7 year of expreience at KOHAVISION (KTV) I need more training on the writting aspect especially in the process of writing espcially in newsgathering for producing news in television.
On the professional aspect I have to say that KIJAC has windeul equipment and therefore is a great opportunity for media people to come here and study to be better journalists and to have better opportunities in their professional work.
My lesson learned at KIJAC is that I see that how things are done professionally and in the right way by the teachers at KIJAC. I think that everybody who wants to wroter in the media needs to follow their guidelinea.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
PENSION- PRE-ELECTION CAMAPAING?
Intro:
The Government of Kosovo decided to increase the pensions for around 70 percent of their current value. This on one hand is a bit late but great news for retired people who barely survive with these pensions. The opposition parties fiercely criticized this decision. However, the Government argues that this decision was agreed way ahead and it is made public during the pre-election campaign only for coincidence. The Kosovan opposition considers this step as pre-election campaign marketing. The Government for the opposition reaction says literally the same thing.
Story: Arben Llapashtica
llapashticaarben@hotmail.com
KIJAC student
Intro to radio reporting
(Noise from one of the pre election campaigns).
This atmosphere comes from one of the pre-election campaigns in Kosovo that is organized due to triple elections, which will be held on November 17th.
One of the several pre-election campaigns made from party leaders is the increase of the pensions for retired people.
This part of the Kosovo society has threatened with boycotting the elections because they feel discriminated with the pension they get, which is only 40 euros per month.
Few days before the start of pre-election campaign, leaders of the opposition parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of pensioners.
On the other hand, the Government after consultations with International Monetary Fund and the World Bank has decided to increase the pensions.
Government spokesman, Avni Arifi, confirmed this.
Dek: Avni Arifi, Government spokesman
“From January 1st of next year around 35 thousand pensioners that have been contributors to the old pension Fund will have pension of 75 euros per month”
However, it seems that nothing has changed at the Association of Pensioners.
They continue playing chess and dominos – pensioner’s favorite games and they seem not to be attracted by the decision of the Government.
They just do not believe these promises.
Zekë Bajtullahu, 70-year-old man does not have any faith to the Kosovo institutions.
“To what extent I believe my dead father will revive, to that extent I believe to increase of the pension. They did not let anything without promising. Nothing has been done”.
An education veteran that has contributed for 25 years to this sector, Bejtullah Tahiri, says that his pension is discriminatory.
He adds that they are used only to attract as many voters.
“I do not believe them. I believe only to Allah. You cannot believe them. They have lied to us, they have underestimated us, and they have humiliated us. They have been our pupils and they don’t remember us”.
The decision of the Government to increase the pensions for the contributing pensioners has launched a critical reaction from the opposition parties.
The largest opposition party, Democratic Party of Kosovo, says that the decision of the Government to raise the pensions is only political marketing.
Vlora Çitaku, spokeswoman of PDK says it could have been done earlier.
“In fact this seems to be as a part of pre-election campaign of the Government. We have asked earlier to increase the pensions while the Government did this just now although it could have done earlier”.
Another opposition party, ORA considered this decision “a useless one”.
Fatmire Kollçaku from this party had organized a press conference to discuss this decision.
“With no law, there are no pensions, because the law is the basis for this and every other thing, everything else is just a useless promise, a promise given in the pre-election campaign”.
However, these reactions from opposition parties do not make an impression to the Prime Minister Agim Çeku.
“I understand this reaction as a part of pre-election campaign. But the most important thing is that the increase of pensions will happen. It is not important if it is going to happen now or after a month, with this Government or the next one.”
A pensioner who accidentally during the campaign met on the street with Hashim Thaçi, the leader of PDK, said to him:
Pensioner:
“We give, give, give… and we die from hunger my friend”.
Hashim Thaçi:
“Till now it was like it was. Our project is at least 100 percent for pensioners of Kosovo”
Pensioners will start to get their increased pensions of 75 Euros per month starting from January 1st 2008.
But even thus, it is not good news for this category of people; especially after the prizes of elementary food products have been raised.
Together with the raise of pensions, prize of flour has increased also from 40 to 70 Euros.
Only 5 euros remain to the pensioners to buy everything else except the bread.
The Government of Kosovo decided to increase the pensions for around 70 percent of their current value. This on one hand is a bit late but great news for retired people who barely survive with these pensions. The opposition parties fiercely criticized this decision. However, the Government argues that this decision was agreed way ahead and it is made public during the pre-election campaign only for coincidence. The Kosovan opposition considers this step as pre-election campaign marketing. The Government for the opposition reaction says literally the same thing.
Story: Arben Llapashtica
llapashticaarben@hotmail.com
KIJAC student
Intro to radio reporting
(Noise from one of the pre election campaigns).
This atmosphere comes from one of the pre-election campaigns in Kosovo that is organized due to triple elections, which will be held on November 17th.
One of the several pre-election campaigns made from party leaders is the increase of the pensions for retired people.
This part of the Kosovo society has threatened with boycotting the elections because they feel discriminated with the pension they get, which is only 40 euros per month.
Few days before the start of pre-election campaign, leaders of the opposition parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of pensioners.
On the other hand, the Government after consultations with International Monetary Fund and the World Bank has decided to increase the pensions.
Government spokesman, Avni Arifi, confirmed this.
Dek: Avni Arifi, Government spokesman
“From January 1st of next year around 35 thousand pensioners that have been contributors to the old pension Fund will have pension of 75 euros per month”
However, it seems that nothing has changed at the Association of Pensioners.
They continue playing chess and dominos – pensioner’s favorite games and they seem not to be attracted by the decision of the Government.
They just do not believe these promises.
Zekë Bajtullahu, 70-year-old man does not have any faith to the Kosovo institutions.
“To what extent I believe my dead father will revive, to that extent I believe to increase of the pension. They did not let anything without promising. Nothing has been done”.
An education veteran that has contributed for 25 years to this sector, Bejtullah Tahiri, says that his pension is discriminatory.
He adds that they are used only to attract as many voters.
“I do not believe them. I believe only to Allah. You cannot believe them. They have lied to us, they have underestimated us, and they have humiliated us. They have been our pupils and they don’t remember us”.
The decision of the Government to increase the pensions for the contributing pensioners has launched a critical reaction from the opposition parties.
The largest opposition party, Democratic Party of Kosovo, says that the decision of the Government to raise the pensions is only political marketing.
Vlora Çitaku, spokeswoman of PDK says it could have been done earlier.
“In fact this seems to be as a part of pre-election campaign of the Government. We have asked earlier to increase the pensions while the Government did this just now although it could have done earlier”.
Another opposition party, ORA considered this decision “a useless one”.
Fatmire Kollçaku from this party had organized a press conference to discuss this decision.
“With no law, there are no pensions, because the law is the basis for this and every other thing, everything else is just a useless promise, a promise given in the pre-election campaign”.
However, these reactions from opposition parties do not make an impression to the Prime Minister Agim Çeku.
“I understand this reaction as a part of pre-election campaign. But the most important thing is that the increase of pensions will happen. It is not important if it is going to happen now or after a month, with this Government or the next one.”
A pensioner who accidentally during the campaign met on the street with Hashim Thaçi, the leader of PDK, said to him:
Pensioner:
“We give, give, give… and we die from hunger my friend”.
Hashim Thaçi:
“Till now it was like it was. Our project is at least 100 percent for pensioners of Kosovo”
Pensioners will start to get their increased pensions of 75 Euros per month starting from January 1st 2008.
But even thus, it is not good news for this category of people; especially after the prizes of elementary food products have been raised.
Together with the raise of pensions, prize of flour has increased also from 40 to 70 Euros.
Only 5 euros remain to the pensioners to buy everything else except the bread.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
English edit 2, my first English
write: Arben Llapashtica
English Proficiency and Academic Writing
Instructor:
Molly Staeheli
It is obvious that I must have come across English words, sentences and conversation at a very early age, as foreign movies were my favorites.
However, sensing the importance came only after the war in Kosovo, in 1999. With the presence of the international community and globalization in general, English has become an important part of our daily lives. Not to mention the sole fact that it is an official language in Kosovo.
I am aware of the fact that there is much space for improvement in my English. I do blame the educational system partially, as the city where I come from (Novoberd) had only French as a foreign language in its school curriculum.
This influenced even my further life in high school. I continued taking French classes even though I had moved to Prishtina and was in a high school that did offer English classes.
Where in the higher level of education, at University, I chose Russian Language as a foreign language (since it’s more similar with Serbian which I now very well). However, both these languages were taught to us in a basic level, due to a lack of professional staff who were well-trained in that direction.
As I mentioned before, English Language has become a very important part of our lives, especially in my case as a cameraman and a journalist, every story that I write, involves people that speak in English.
Having been accepted at KIJAC, where the classes are taught in English, I perceived this as an opportunity to improve my English skills. I have also discovered that listening and understanding does not present a difficulty to me. Writing and speaking, on the other hand take much of my time, as I need to concentrate in order to be able to formulate a correct sentence and then link those sentences together into a meaningful text.
Since last year I have started taking English Language classes at “Oxford Studio”. So far I have reached level three which is pre-intermediate and gradually I am getting better in this language.
I could basically compare my self to a child when it comes to English - eager to learn, everything sounds and is interesting, highly motivated to cope with all the obstacles.
I am sure that pretty soon I will be able to communicate fluently in English as that is a goal I have set for the near future. And you know what they say “practice makes perfect”… so now I all I need to do is practice, practice, practice.
English Proficiency and Academic Writing
Instructor:
Molly Staeheli
It is obvious that I must have come across English words, sentences and conversation at a very early age, as foreign movies were my favorites.
However, sensing the importance came only after the war in Kosovo, in 1999. With the presence of the international community and globalization in general, English has become an important part of our daily lives. Not to mention the sole fact that it is an official language in Kosovo.
I am aware of the fact that there is much space for improvement in my English. I do blame the educational system partially, as the city where I come from (Novoberd) had only French as a foreign language in its school curriculum.
This influenced even my further life in high school. I continued taking French classes even though I had moved to Prishtina and was in a high school that did offer English classes.
Where in the higher level of education, at University, I chose Russian Language as a foreign language (since it’s more similar with Serbian which I now very well). However, both these languages were taught to us in a basic level, due to a lack of professional staff who were well-trained in that direction.
As I mentioned before, English Language has become a very important part of our lives, especially in my case as a cameraman and a journalist, every story that I write, involves people that speak in English.
Having been accepted at KIJAC, where the classes are taught in English, I perceived this as an opportunity to improve my English skills. I have also discovered that listening and understanding does not present a difficulty to me. Writing and speaking, on the other hand take much of my time, as I need to concentrate in order to be able to formulate a correct sentence and then link those sentences together into a meaningful text.
Since last year I have started taking English Language classes at “Oxford Studio”. So far I have reached level three which is pre-intermediate and gradually I am getting better in this language.
I could basically compare my self to a child when it comes to English - eager to learn, everything sounds and is interesting, highly motivated to cope with all the obstacles.
I am sure that pretty soon I will be able to communicate fluently in English as that is a goal I have set for the near future. And you know what they say “practice makes perfect”… so now I all I need to do is practice, practice, practice.
BREAD PRICES
Intro:
The poor Kosova people note with worry the increase of the bread price from .25 to .45 cents, brought by the changes in the stock market. The Association of the Millers of Kosova is requesting that the Taxes on Added Value be lowered, while the Kosova government does yet have a solution for this situation.
Reporter: Arben Llapashtica
Intro to radio reporting
15 % of Kosova citizens live on .70 cents a day, so the increase of the bread price from .25 cents to .45 cents and the prediction that it might go as high as .70 has further impoverished this part of the population.
The increase of the bread price is a direct result of flour price increase in the world stock market.
The situation has made the Economic and Fiscal Counsil to stop collecting duty on flour and wheat, but it has done nothing to decrease the bread price.
Bujar Dugolli, the Minister of Trade and Industry states that the government can not stabilize prices:
“We do not have a stabilizing policy on prices, which means that, like with the electrical power, the Ministry of Trade can only stop collecting duty duty grains.”
According to the executive director of the Millers Association, Muhamet Farizi, the price can be lowered if the Taxes are lowered to.
“We have asked the reduction of the Tax on the Added Value for wheat, flour and bread, because there will be worldwide production shortage, which will bring about the increase of wheat process and which will directly or indirectly influence us as well.”
Earlier on, the Trade Chamber of Kosova has requested the financial subvention of Kosova farmers by the government and the stop of duty collection on grain import. This institution has also conducted studies on the matter.
Behlul Beqaj, the Chair of the Trade Chamber of Kosova suggest possible solutions on how to overcome this situation:
“According to the studies conducted by our analysts, Kosova will need 80 million euros in order to furnish the population with bread, a fact which gives us an idea as towards what this whole situation should be oriented.”
The flour furnishing issue has caught the Government unprepared. Bujar Dugolli explains the lack of wheat:
”The reasons why we don’t have reserves, is because we have nowhere to store them. The ministry buildings are still on lease, we have nowhere to store the reserves, and issue cannot be solved by one minister”
Worried citizens have stated that they cannot absorb the bread price increase.
VOX-1
Vox-2
“This bread price increase is a catastrophe, if we consider the general living standards of the common citizen or their individual earnings. This price is very high which means irresponsibility on the part of the government. They have tried to justify it with not having any competences or reserves in storage but those are not reasons at all.”
Kosova will not face the increase of the bread price alone. In addition to bread and flour, the most consumed products by kosovars, there are also increases in the prices of other items such as cooking oil, cheese, meat and milk, almost twice as high when compared to prices in the other parts of the region.
For the KIJAC Radio – Arben Llapashtica
The poor Kosova people note with worry the increase of the bread price from .25 to .45 cents, brought by the changes in the stock market. The Association of the Millers of Kosova is requesting that the Taxes on Added Value be lowered, while the Kosova government does yet have a solution for this situation.
Reporter: Arben Llapashtica
Intro to radio reporting
15 % of Kosova citizens live on .70 cents a day, so the increase of the bread price from .25 cents to .45 cents and the prediction that it might go as high as .70 has further impoverished this part of the population.
The increase of the bread price is a direct result of flour price increase in the world stock market.
The situation has made the Economic and Fiscal Counsil to stop collecting duty on flour and wheat, but it has done nothing to decrease the bread price.
Bujar Dugolli, the Minister of Trade and Industry states that the government can not stabilize prices:
“We do not have a stabilizing policy on prices, which means that, like with the electrical power, the Ministry of Trade can only stop collecting duty duty grains.”
According to the executive director of the Millers Association, Muhamet Farizi, the price can be lowered if the Taxes are lowered to.
“We have asked the reduction of the Tax on the Added Value for wheat, flour and bread, because there will be worldwide production shortage, which will bring about the increase of wheat process and which will directly or indirectly influence us as well.”
Earlier on, the Trade Chamber of Kosova has requested the financial subvention of Kosova farmers by the government and the stop of duty collection on grain import. This institution has also conducted studies on the matter.
Behlul Beqaj, the Chair of the Trade Chamber of Kosova suggest possible solutions on how to overcome this situation:
“According to the studies conducted by our analysts, Kosova will need 80 million euros in order to furnish the population with bread, a fact which gives us an idea as towards what this whole situation should be oriented.”
The flour furnishing issue has caught the Government unprepared. Bujar Dugolli explains the lack of wheat:
”The reasons why we don’t have reserves, is because we have nowhere to store them. The ministry buildings are still on lease, we have nowhere to store the reserves, and issue cannot be solved by one minister”
Worried citizens have stated that they cannot absorb the bread price increase.
VOX-1
Vox-2
“This bread price increase is a catastrophe, if we consider the general living standards of the common citizen or their individual earnings. This price is very high which means irresponsibility on the part of the government. They have tried to justify it with not having any competences or reserves in storage but those are not reasons at all.”
Kosova will not face the increase of the bread price alone. In addition to bread and flour, the most consumed products by kosovars, there are also increases in the prices of other items such as cooking oil, cheese, meat and milk, almost twice as high when compared to prices in the other parts of the region.
For the KIJAC Radio – Arben Llapashtica
In what ways would this make the world a better place to live?
Editing:
Arben Llapashtica
English Proficiency and Academic Writing
In what ways would this make the world a better place to live?
If the world would be with one language I don’t have a clue what it would be look like, but I think it would be helpful in some ways.
- The communication would be much easier between people.
- It would save us all the time that we spend on studying languages and end some controversy.
But I can also see some downsides. This would be a nearly impossible feat to achieve and would also get rid of the values the language had on the people. But, I still believe it is a good idea. There are many other things that make people diverse. Although it would be hard to do, I think we should have only one language.
- When the people want to deal for something or to solve a problem, they could do it with same language and translator wouldn’t be necessary.
- The world may be extremely united or the exact opposite... Well for one, we wouldn't need translators,
- Since there's only one language, there wouldn't be cultural diversion
I think it would definitely be an advantage. First of all, there would be less confusion. Many times we misunderstand or take things out of context. One language equals less confusion.
- Having one language would make worldwide communications easier and tourists would find asking for directions, buying things etc, a lot easier.
In what ways would it negatively effect the world?
- There are some people who simply don't want to lose their traditional language.
- The downside of having one language that will be shared by all the world is that a single language would erase a lot of the cultural differences that are some of the biggest treasures mankind has to offer.
- Imagine how much poorer would the poetry of this world have been if all the poets used the same, dictionary, same syntax or the literature of the world in general
- Languages are the most unique, and beautiful part of the identity of any nation and loosing languages would mean loosing national identities and the beauty at their differences
I defend my opinion on the first part. This is all that I have explained so I don’t have nothing more to add.
Arben Llapashtica
English Proficiency and Academic Writing
In what ways would this make the world a better place to live?
If the world would be with one language I don’t have a clue what it would be look like, but I think it would be helpful in some ways.
- The communication would be much easier between people.
- It would save us all the time that we spend on studying languages and end some controversy.
But I can also see some downsides. This would be a nearly impossible feat to achieve and would also get rid of the values the language had on the people. But, I still believe it is a good idea. There are many other things that make people diverse. Although it would be hard to do, I think we should have only one language.
- When the people want to deal for something or to solve a problem, they could do it with same language and translator wouldn’t be necessary.
- The world may be extremely united or the exact opposite... Well for one, we wouldn't need translators,
- Since there's only one language, there wouldn't be cultural diversion
I think it would definitely be an advantage. First of all, there would be less confusion. Many times we misunderstand or take things out of context. One language equals less confusion.
- Having one language would make worldwide communications easier and tourists would find asking for directions, buying things etc, a lot easier.
In what ways would it negatively effect the world?
- There are some people who simply don't want to lose their traditional language.
- The downside of having one language that will be shared by all the world is that a single language would erase a lot of the cultural differences that are some of the biggest treasures mankind has to offer.
- Imagine how much poorer would the poetry of this world have been if all the poets used the same, dictionary, same syntax or the literature of the world in general
- Languages are the most unique, and beautiful part of the identity of any nation and loosing languages would mean loosing national identities and the beauty at their differences
I defend my opinion on the first part. This is all that I have explained so I don’t have nothing more to add.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
JAR THIEVES ARE “STEALING” THE CULTURAL HERITAGE
By Arben Llapashtica
JOUR 605
Intro to news writing for print
Oct, 08 – Oct, 19
David Harrison
Just like in fairy tales, but modern ones, in Novo Brdo thieves are after the gold-jars. Around the castle, the mosque, the catholic and orthodox church, there are already holes dug.
Lately the castle has been visited especially at night.
At night, thieves equipped with sophisticated detectors appearing to be organized come in search for the gold-jars.
The Novo Brdo castle is officially considered as a historical monument and has been, for forty years, under protection of the Kosovar Institute for Protection of Monuments, in Prishtina.
Haxhi Mehmetaj - director at the Institute for Protection of Monuments - is worried about the cultural heritage, which dates back to the IV century put at risk of being destroyed by these individuals.
“I’m quite sure that these illegal diggings have not helped these thieves in finding gold nor silver. However they could have found cultural remains, to us very important. In this manner they are not making themselves richer, but only destroying the cultural heritage” says Mehmetaj.
The castle has one security guard only who works during day shift, five days of week.
Islam Vllasaliu, the security guard in charge, admits that the diggings are conducted at night and during week days.
“Even though the protected area consists of 150 hectares, during the day I make sure that the surrounding is safe. But the holes are dug during the night, so sometimes in the morning I even find holes down to 4 meters deep. I always call the police and the Institute, but so far they haven’t brought any security for the night shift” says Vllasaliu.
Islami explains that he has even caught UNMIK policemen during the day, searching around the castle with metal detectors.
Islami had tried to halt them, but they had taken his cell phone and acted violently with him, dug 28 shallow pits afterwards and took several remains.
Haxhi Mehmetaj has confirmed that this was a Polish Special Police Unit stationed in Mitrovica.
“After we had intervened and informed the police, the actually returned few Second World War coins, which for us is ridiculous because they had taken bigger remains much older than the coins, which they are not returning” says Mehmetaj.
Naser Ibrahimi, Police spokesperson for Gjilani region tells us that no one has been arrested so far and that these events are being investigated.
Xhemajl Novoberdaliu, whose house is near the castle of Novo Berda, is afraid of these people digging illegally.
I live with my wife only, and there is no one left of the neighbors, and at night we’re both afraid because of these thieves. I was terrified when one day I saw the Symbol, which was designed on the wall of the castle, broken” says Novoberdaliu.
He also says that most of the people in the Balkan think that they can become rich during the night, but the do not know that they are digging in vain.
“They are just scaring us and destroying the cultural heritage, because no one has left gold underground for them to find” added Novoberdaliu.
The castle is almost totally destroyed, the municipality of Novo Berda continues to be the poorest municipality in Kosovo and does not have a budget for protection of its monuments.
The Government of Kosovo had actually assigned a budget for cultural heritage; however these funds have taken another direction and are now destined for the renovation of Serb churches destroyed during the March 2004 riots.
JOUR 605
Intro to news writing for print
Oct, 08 – Oct, 19
David Harrison
Just like in fairy tales, but modern ones, in Novo Brdo thieves are after the gold-jars. Around the castle, the mosque, the catholic and orthodox church, there are already holes dug.
Lately the castle has been visited especially at night.
At night, thieves equipped with sophisticated detectors appearing to be organized come in search for the gold-jars.
The Novo Brdo castle is officially considered as a historical monument and has been, for forty years, under protection of the Kosovar Institute for Protection of Monuments, in Prishtina.
Haxhi Mehmetaj - director at the Institute for Protection of Monuments - is worried about the cultural heritage, which dates back to the IV century put at risk of being destroyed by these individuals.
“I’m quite sure that these illegal diggings have not helped these thieves in finding gold nor silver. However they could have found cultural remains, to us very important. In this manner they are not making themselves richer, but only destroying the cultural heritage” says Mehmetaj.
The castle has one security guard only who works during day shift, five days of week.
Islam Vllasaliu, the security guard in charge, admits that the diggings are conducted at night and during week days.
“Even though the protected area consists of 150 hectares, during the day I make sure that the surrounding is safe. But the holes are dug during the night, so sometimes in the morning I even find holes down to 4 meters deep. I always call the police and the Institute, but so far they haven’t brought any security for the night shift” says Vllasaliu.
Islami explains that he has even caught UNMIK policemen during the day, searching around the castle with metal detectors.
Islami had tried to halt them, but they had taken his cell phone and acted violently with him, dug 28 shallow pits afterwards and took several remains.
Haxhi Mehmetaj has confirmed that this was a Polish Special Police Unit stationed in Mitrovica.
“After we had intervened and informed the police, the actually returned few Second World War coins, which for us is ridiculous because they had taken bigger remains much older than the coins, which they are not returning” says Mehmetaj.
Naser Ibrahimi, Police spokesperson for Gjilani region tells us that no one has been arrested so far and that these events are being investigated.
Xhemajl Novoberdaliu, whose house is near the castle of Novo Berda, is afraid of these people digging illegally.
I live with my wife only, and there is no one left of the neighbors, and at night we’re both afraid because of these thieves. I was terrified when one day I saw the Symbol, which was designed on the wall of the castle, broken” says Novoberdaliu.
He also says that most of the people in the Balkan think that they can become rich during the night, but the do not know that they are digging in vain.
“They are just scaring us and destroying the cultural heritage, because no one has left gold underground for them to find” added Novoberdaliu.
The castle is almost totally destroyed, the municipality of Novo Berda continues to be the poorest municipality in Kosovo and does not have a budget for protection of its monuments.
The Government of Kosovo had actually assigned a budget for cultural heritage; however these funds have taken another direction and are now destined for the renovation of Serb churches destroyed during the March 2004 riots.
Headscarf or school
Two more girls expelled from school for wearing headscarves
Headscarf or school
The small town of Skenderaj has turned into the centre of debate that is related to the use of a headscarf in a public high school. Schools officials are committed not to allow inside their premises students that wear clothes identified with one of the monotheist religions present in Kosovo.
By: Arben Llapashtica (KIJAC-STUDENT)
llapashticaarben@hotmail.com
Intro to journalism/Intro to KIJAC
Interview techniques
Naser Miftar & Knut Røe
Prishtina — She loves learning about important things that can help her in understanding life and offer a possibility to have a decent job in the future. However, her affection for education can be easily out runned by her love for Allah.
Valbona an 18-year-old girl from Skenderaj together with two other girls that have attended the “Hamëz Jashari” high school, say that their wardrobe is being misunderstood by the school administration of this Drenica high school.
The headscarf, considered by Islam an obligation for the Muslim women, is the reason why these girls are not allowed to enter the school facilities. These three girls can easily return to school just if they leave their headscarves home.
This would be unbearable for these young women from Drenica, because God is above everyone and everything.
Valbona and two other girls were not allowed to attend school classes in the last month and now they are expelled from the high school “Hamëz Jashari”.
“For a month I have tried to get in school but access has been denied to me, and just now they have told me that I am expelled me from school, due to lack of attendance”, says Valbona.
The firs day she came to school with a headscarf her teachers informed her through her school friends that she can’t attend school wearing a headscarf.
Fatmire Jashari and Mihane Aliu are two other girls from this school that share the fate of Valbona. These two girls everyday come to school but they are not allowed to attend the classes. The girls are told to wait.
“According to a school regulation that is attached in the school corridor it is said in a few bullet points that religious symbols are not allowed in the school. But the headscarf is not a religious symbol but it is a religious obligation”, says Fatmire.
Fatmire is fully convinced in continuing wearing a headscarf because she knows that there is no law that forbids her to enter the school with a headscarf.
Mihane the third girl that is expelled from school due to her wearing of a headscarf does not show even the smallest desire to renounce of using the headscarf, even if she will still be denied in attending school.
“It was my personal desire to wear a headscarf and I have my family that is supporting me. My father in the beginning was quite confused but now he is convinced that the headscarf is only my will”, Mihane adds.
Fatos and Adelina two youngsters that attend the same school as the three expelled girls say that they do not have a problem with someone who puts a headscarf during school hours.
“We do not have a problem with the use of headscarf, for us Fatmire and other friends still remain the same with or without the scarf”, says Adelina.
Fatos another student from “Hamëz Jashari” high school says that he is against expelling his friends from school just because they wear headscarves.
“We have boycotted school because of our friends but we were pressured by our teachers to return to classes”, says Fatos a high school student from Skenderaj
The Kosovo Ombudsperson reacted on the issue of expellment of these three girls from regular school. The acting Kosovo Ombudsperson lawyer Hilmi Jashari states that students should not be denied in using religious symbols such as headscarves during school hours.
“Every executive order that denies the use of a headscarf and of other symbols in schools is against the rule of law and the individual right to exercise their religion because the Kosovo Parliament until now has not approved a law like this, says Jashari.
Agim Veliu the Minister of Education, Science and Technology is not as much interested in being part of the public discussion about the case of the three girls expelled from a Skenderaj high school because it considers the use of headscarves as a religious propaganda.
“Everything is regulated through the Law of Higher Education”, says Veliu ignoring the journalists questions in relation of the use of headscarves in public schools.
The Law on Higher Education says it clearly under point 13 that the adult students have the right to be treated equally without any discrimination on religious, ethnic, political and religious beliefs”.
Reacting on the support that minister Agim Veliu has given to the “Hamëz Jashari” high school administration, member of Kosovo Parliament Ferid Agani from Partia e Drejtësisë has asked from the minister to present a report to the Parliament. While Sylejman Qerkezi the leader of Partia e Drejtësisë says that, the Law on primary and secondary education allows the use of headscarves in schools and according to him the practice of banning the headscarves has to be stopped.
“The law on primary and secondary education allows the use of headscarves. The minister of education has either to ban with a law the use of headscarves or to stop acting like this”, he says.
The deputy director of the high school “Hamëz Jashari” in Skenderaj interprets the law differently. He says that the act undertaken by the school administration is not against Islam but it’s the law that forbids the use of headscarf in school.
“This school is a secular one, state and public. With the request made by parents and students now we have the school uniform, and according to point 7 of the school regulation there is not allowed any other uniform then the one with the name of the school”, says he while making ad inference between secular and religious schools
Professor John Voll, from University of Georgetown in Washington, who has an expertise to be envied in Muslim — Christian relations, says that the headscarf is considered as diversity and is protected by law. He says that in Kosovo as well, there should exist opportunity to choose:
“I would suggest to the authorities to have in mind that for every believer is important to protect their right, so they can exercise their religion as they want it. How important is that men have the right to carry a cross or to put a headscarf. In long term point of view this is important for a society as Kosovo is”, says Voll.
Debates about the use of a headscarf have existed also in the past. Not as long ago a woman who was working as a teacher has been fired from the school where she has been working due to the fact that she had worn a headscarf. This case caused a lot of debate in the media.
Similar debates about the use of headscarves have been ongoing also on Turkey and France. But in Skenderaj the three girls who are expelled from don’t have second thoughts to take of their headscarves and continue school.
Headscarf or school
The small town of Skenderaj has turned into the centre of debate that is related to the use of a headscarf in a public high school. Schools officials are committed not to allow inside their premises students that wear clothes identified with one of the monotheist religions present in Kosovo.
By: Arben Llapashtica (KIJAC-STUDENT)
llapashticaarben@hotmail.com
Intro to journalism/Intro to KIJAC
Interview techniques
Naser Miftar & Knut Røe
Prishtina — She loves learning about important things that can help her in understanding life and offer a possibility to have a decent job in the future. However, her affection for education can be easily out runned by her love for Allah.
Valbona an 18-year-old girl from Skenderaj together with two other girls that have attended the “Hamëz Jashari” high school, say that their wardrobe is being misunderstood by the school administration of this Drenica high school.
The headscarf, considered by Islam an obligation for the Muslim women, is the reason why these girls are not allowed to enter the school facilities. These three girls can easily return to school just if they leave their headscarves home.
This would be unbearable for these young women from Drenica, because God is above everyone and everything.
Valbona and two other girls were not allowed to attend school classes in the last month and now they are expelled from the high school “Hamëz Jashari”.
“For a month I have tried to get in school but access has been denied to me, and just now they have told me that I am expelled me from school, due to lack of attendance”, says Valbona.
The firs day she came to school with a headscarf her teachers informed her through her school friends that she can’t attend school wearing a headscarf.
Fatmire Jashari and Mihane Aliu are two other girls from this school that share the fate of Valbona. These two girls everyday come to school but they are not allowed to attend the classes. The girls are told to wait.
“According to a school regulation that is attached in the school corridor it is said in a few bullet points that religious symbols are not allowed in the school. But the headscarf is not a religious symbol but it is a religious obligation”, says Fatmire.
Fatmire is fully convinced in continuing wearing a headscarf because she knows that there is no law that forbids her to enter the school with a headscarf.
Mihane the third girl that is expelled from school due to her wearing of a headscarf does not show even the smallest desire to renounce of using the headscarf, even if she will still be denied in attending school.
“It was my personal desire to wear a headscarf and I have my family that is supporting me. My father in the beginning was quite confused but now he is convinced that the headscarf is only my will”, Mihane adds.
Fatos and Adelina two youngsters that attend the same school as the three expelled girls say that they do not have a problem with someone who puts a headscarf during school hours.
“We do not have a problem with the use of headscarf, for us Fatmire and other friends still remain the same with or without the scarf”, says Adelina.
Fatos another student from “Hamëz Jashari” high school says that he is against expelling his friends from school just because they wear headscarves.
“We have boycotted school because of our friends but we were pressured by our teachers to return to classes”, says Fatos a high school student from Skenderaj
The Kosovo Ombudsperson reacted on the issue of expellment of these three girls from regular school. The acting Kosovo Ombudsperson lawyer Hilmi Jashari states that students should not be denied in using religious symbols such as headscarves during school hours.
“Every executive order that denies the use of a headscarf and of other symbols in schools is against the rule of law and the individual right to exercise their religion because the Kosovo Parliament until now has not approved a law like this, says Jashari.
Agim Veliu the Minister of Education, Science and Technology is not as much interested in being part of the public discussion about the case of the three girls expelled from a Skenderaj high school because it considers the use of headscarves as a religious propaganda.
“Everything is regulated through the Law of Higher Education”, says Veliu ignoring the journalists questions in relation of the use of headscarves in public schools.
The Law on Higher Education says it clearly under point 13 that the adult students have the right to be treated equally without any discrimination on religious, ethnic, political and religious beliefs”.
Reacting on the support that minister Agim Veliu has given to the “Hamëz Jashari” high school administration, member of Kosovo Parliament Ferid Agani from Partia e Drejtësisë has asked from the minister to present a report to the Parliament. While Sylejman Qerkezi the leader of Partia e Drejtësisë says that, the Law on primary and secondary education allows the use of headscarves in schools and according to him the practice of banning the headscarves has to be stopped.
“The law on primary and secondary education allows the use of headscarves. The minister of education has either to ban with a law the use of headscarves or to stop acting like this”, he says.
The deputy director of the high school “Hamëz Jashari” in Skenderaj interprets the law differently. He says that the act undertaken by the school administration is not against Islam but it’s the law that forbids the use of headscarf in school.
“This school is a secular one, state and public. With the request made by parents and students now we have the school uniform, and according to point 7 of the school regulation there is not allowed any other uniform then the one with the name of the school”, says he while making ad inference between secular and religious schools
Professor John Voll, from University of Georgetown in Washington, who has an expertise to be envied in Muslim — Christian relations, says that the headscarf is considered as diversity and is protected by law. He says that in Kosovo as well, there should exist opportunity to choose:
“I would suggest to the authorities to have in mind that for every believer is important to protect their right, so they can exercise their religion as they want it. How important is that men have the right to carry a cross or to put a headscarf. In long term point of view this is important for a society as Kosovo is”, says Voll.
Debates about the use of a headscarf have existed also in the past. Not as long ago a woman who was working as a teacher has been fired from the school where she has been working due to the fact that she had worn a headscarf. This case caused a lot of debate in the media.
Similar debates about the use of headscarves have been ongoing also on Turkey and France. But in Skenderaj the three girls who are expelled from don’t have second thoughts to take of their headscarves and continue school.
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