By Assem Rawashdeh
SARAJEVO, April 24 (KUNA) -- The "Ashkali" are a long-forgotten minority of Arab origin, scattered in several areas in Europe, particularly the Balkans, braving negligence, poverty and bids to wipe off their distinctive cultural identity.
The "Ashkali," also referred to as "Ashkalija," have been living in hard conditions in Serbia and other regional countries. According to some historians, they immigrated to the European continent from Persia a long time ago -- where they had been classified as Persian Arabs.
People of this minority, despite poverty, marginalization and low education, boast of their Arab roots and affiliations to Islam, particularly during national and religious occasions.
Abdin Murad, spokesman of the Ashkali league, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), in an interview, that this minority has suffered from marginalization, negligence, suppression at the hands of "radical security personnel" during regional wars that broke out after disintegration of Yugoslavia.
The "Ashkali" settled in western Balkans in the 7th century, after migrating from Persia, Murad said, noting that these people had been known in the Gulf as Persian Arabs.
They have scattered, after migrating, over a wide region in the Balkans, namely in Albania, Kosovo and some Serb areas.
Their language is peppered with some Arabic terms and expressions and their physical features are quite similar to those of the Arabs.
They use Arabic terms such "ibn" (son) and Abu (father), and advocate Sunni line of Islam.
Although they have been struggling to safeguard their cultural affiliations and roots, authorities in the countries where they live have been trying to eradicate their distinguished culture and identity. The Serb authorities, for instance, Murad said, shut down the sole radio station that broadcast in the sect language.
Condition of the "Ashkali" in Kosovo is much better than that in Serbia and Macedonia, Murad said, noting that the government of Kosovo has guaranteed their rights in the constitution and the laws.
Their presence came to light after Kosovo's liberation from Serb occupation and Kosovo's independence declaration. They were recognized by Serbia as a minority in 2002.
Murad expressed hope that Arab states devote some attention to the plight of this sect, in face of various challenges threatening its existence.
The "Ashkali", during the 1999 Kosovo war, were displaced as refugees in Albania, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, Germany and France. (end) aa.rk