Besa Stories

The photographs below are some of the stories from the book, Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II.

Besa is a long held tradition of the Albanian people which is their code of honor. According to the code of Besa an Albanian will lay down their life for another in need of their assistance, friend or enemy.

According to Baba Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi, a Bektashi, “We Bektashi see God everywhere, in everyone. God is in every pore and every cell, therefore all are God’s children. There cannot be infidels. There cannot be discrimination. If one sees a good face one is seeing the face of God.”

We invite you to enjoy the spirit of Besa.