Rafaela Prifti/

The Albanian American Relations Council (AARC) held its second annual gala Thursday evening at Gotham Hall in New York. Presented as “a night of unity, culture and leadership” the event honored General Wesley Clark and Bruno Selimaj for their vital role and historic contributions to the community.

Held during the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, the gala took place amid heightened political tensions across the Albanian-speaking region. Albania has seen continuing anti-government protests directed at Prime Minister Edi Rama, with a group of demonstrators gathered outside the New York venue. Meanwhile, the Hague-based Kosovo Specialist Chambers sentenced four former senior KLA leaders last week, prompting demonstrations and strong reactions among supporters.

At Gotham Hall the evening began with the reception, followed by a program that opened with the national anthems of the United States, Albania, Kosova and the Republic of North Macedonia.

The Invocations were delivered by Father Viktor Gjergji and Imam Edin Gjini. Board Chairman Eli Rusi welcomed the audience with a reminder that “complacency has a cost” before presenting a short video highlighting AARC’s work during its first year. Comparing the postwar advocacy landscape in Washington, D.C. to the aftermath of a tornado, President Martin Vulaj and his team stepped up to rebuild that presence, expand the Albanian Issues Caucus, strengthen the engagement with policymakers so that the community concerns are heard in discussions of U.S. foreign policy. The message is “An organized and engaged community means our voice carries over,” Vulaj said.

In a warning tone, AARC President cautioned: “All is at risk now. The war is different today, it is being waged through hybrid warfare.” He continued, “ In short, we are being played.” Vulaj portrayed the deepening divisions and constant churn of political turmoil in the Balkans as products of manipulated narrative-stories containing elements of truth but amplified by foreign interests seeking to turn Albanians against one another. Turning to the shared heritage of Albanian Americans as “sons and daughters of Skanderbeg,” he urged the community to remember that “we might disagree without calling each other traitors.”

AARC President Vulaj then introduced Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama. In an appeal on behalf of Hashim Thaçi, the former KLA leader recently sentenced by Kosova Specialist Chambers, Rama said that this country betrayed us by failing to do enough to support him. PM Rama cited Albania’s GDP growth during his tenure, referenced the “Kushner project’ and other developments in the pipeline, and underscored deepening the engagement with the Albanian diaspora.

In his keynote address, General Wesley K. Clark, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe highlighted that democracy must be actively defended and warned that the threats posed by countries such as China, Russia and Iran are realities of the world today. “Democracy is not on the rise. Democracy is on the wain,” he said. Recalling his service during NATO’s 1999 Kosova campaign, General Clark urged the audience to recognize its own capacity to shape events. “The message I want to give you tonight is that you have agency, the same courage and determination that the people in the Balkans showed me back in the 1990s.”

Created by AARC, The Kaloresi i Skenderbeut Award honored General Wesley Clark for the courage, leadership and commitment to freedom reflected in Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu, as well as Clark’s role as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe during the Kosova conflict and his contribution to the protection and liberation of the people of Kosova. Continuing the evening’s themes of courage, patriotism, and resistance, organizers presented the trailer for Skanderbeg, a historical drama co-produced in the United States and Albania. The film centers on the struggle against seemingly impossible odds and the enduring power of national resistance.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosova, Glauk Konjufca called on Kosova’s political leaders and parliament to demonstrate cohesion and engage in reflection at this critical moment. He said that the two figures honored by AARC reflected the close connection between American interests and those of Albanian Americans.

Other speakers included Hristijan Mickoski, Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia; Congresswoman Nikema Williams of Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District, who celebrated the community’s diversity and U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, who praised the hope conveyed by the AARC community.

The Mother Teresa Award was presented to Bruno Selimaj in recognition of his decades of service to the community. President Vulaj described Selimaj as having served as “Kosova’s embassy before we had an embassy,” highlighting his longstanding role as an advocate, community leader, and a major contributor. The award was presented jointly with his wife, Kumrije, whose partnership and contributions were also acknowledged.

Focusing on the role of the Albanian-American community, former Kosova President Dr. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu noted that distance does not separate diaspora from the homeland, noting that: “Our task is to translate gratitude into a partnership.”

Prishtina Mayor Perparim Rama said that the evening honored General Clark’s lasting impact of his legacy in people’s lives. He added that the community now has an opportunity to stand together in pursuit of greater prosperity, describing the capital as “open to the world” and noting that it will host the 2030 Mediterranean Games.

The gala concluded with the NY State Assembly Proclamation presented by the Honorable Nader Sayegh, NY State Assembly to the Board of AARC: Martin Vulaj, President, Eli Rusi, Chairman of the Board, Tony Marke (Faton Marke) Vice Chairman, Burim Rexhaj, Secretary, Roland Nezaj Treasurer, Agim Jusufi, Board Member, Vehbi Bajrami, Board Member.

The four hour formal evening featured musical performance by Mariza Ikonomi, accompanied by Faton Macula. The 2026 AARC gala drew an influential cross-section of the Albanian-American community from business and civic leaders to senior government officials, and prominent representatives. Distinguished guests included Vatra President Dr. Elmi Berisha.

Gazeta Dielli was among the accredited media organizations covering the event.