Olsi Jazexhi, an Albanian historian teaching modern history at the International Islamic University in Malaysia, has addressed the long‑standing debate over Skenderbeg’s origins. He argues that Albanians emerged under the Ottoman Empire and have no connection to Skenderbeg, who he claims is a Serbian hero descended from the Branković family. Jazexhi acknowledges that he may face criticism from Albanians, but he points to the Turkish and Arabic elements in Albanian names to support his view.
