Vlëroshë Islam

**Vlëroshë Islam** (22 September 1937 – 11 August 2015) was a Notoshan politician who served as a member of the State Assembly from 2000 until 2004. A member of the New Notosha Party, she retired from politics after one term in office and returned to life as a private citizen until her death.

## Early life and education

Islam was born on 22 September 1937 in Makës – then known as Makija – to parents Pëllumbor Islam (1899–1970) and Përgëzime Idrizi (1904–1989). The family was poor, with Pëllumbor working as a manual laborer, and Përgëzime as a seamstress. Islam was the youngest of eight children; her siblings included Bizat (1921–2003), Shkëlqor (1925–2006), Jermësina (1926–1980), Mirësor (1929–2017), Yllpara (born 1930), Almarina (1934–2017), and Bim (born 1936).

Islam began her education in 1943, attending an Asbanian public school in Makës. While in school, Islam was both smart and popular, but she lacked ambition and did not believe she would succeed academically due to her family's financial situation. She graduated from primary school in 1951, and began studying at a vocational high school, where she learned to be a seamstress. She graduated with a high school diploma in 1953. After graduating, Islam worked with her mother and sisters as a seamstress, until marrying in 1958 and becoming a homemaker.

## Political career

Ahead of the 2000 Notoshan general election, Islam was included on the New Notosha Party list in Makës District as a parliamentary candidate. The party ultimately won enough seats in the constituency, and Islam was elected to the inaugural State Assembly as a member of parliament. She was reportedly personally asked by Zgur Xhanari to stand as a candidate in the election, after he had read a newspaper article about the death of her husband and son in early 2000.

Islam took her seat in the State Assembly on 14 November 2000, along with the other inaugural members of the Notoshan legislature. Much like other members of her party, Islam focused her legislation on advocating for the rights of Notosha Asbanians, promoting the independence of Notosha, and passing symbolic resolutions to commemorate victims of the Notosha War and punish perpetrators. Regarding fiscal and conservative policy, Islam supported the incumbent government on almost all issues.

In July 2004, Islam announced that she would not run for reelection in the 2004 general election, stating that she enjoyed her time as a legislator, but wished to return to her private life and retire. She left office on 19 October 2004.

## Personal life

Islam began a relationship with Notoshan tailor Gojart Gurakuqi in 1957. They became engaged after seven months of dating, and married in 1958. Islam and Gurakuqi had four children together: Adelina (born 1959), Çiltërim (born 1962), Bjëshkorë (born 1963), and Hënor (1966–1999). The family resided in Makës for most of their lives.

During the Notosha War (1997–2000), Islam's son Hënor joined the Notosha Liberation Army (NLA), and convinced the family that they would be safe remaining in Makës. In February 1999, the family home was stormed by the Lorbian Armed Forces as part of an operation to locate the homes of NLA soldiers. Gurakiqi was killed while attempting to protect Islam, while Islam was spared. Afterwards, Islam fled to Asbania, where she stayed with her daughter Bjëshkorë and her family, who had previously taken refuge there. Hënor was later killed in combat in April 1999. After the conclusion of the war in 2000, Islam returned to Notosha, and continued to live with Bjëshkorë in Astina.

## Death

In 2008, at age 70, Islam was diagnosed with type II diabetes. While her condition was initially stable, over the following seven years, Islam was hospitalized several times for various illnesses and diabetes-related issues. Islam died in her sleep on the night of 11 August 2015 in her daughter's home in Astina, and was discovered the following morning when she did not awake for breakfast, aged 77. Her cause of death was listed as diabetes-related complications.

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