Dielli | The Sun

Albanian American Newspaper Devoted to the Intellectual and Cultural Advancement of the Albanians in America | Since 1909

Albanian Flag Raising in New York Honors 111th Year of Independence – Time to Celebrate and Reflect

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Rafaela Prifti/

The Albanian flag raising event was observed at the Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan this afternoon to mark the 111th anniversary of Albania’s independence day. Hosted by NYC Mayor’s Office including several city departments and coordinated by Mark Gjonaj, NY former Council Member who led the collaboration of dozens of Albanian American organizations, the ceremony gave emphasis to the fundamental values associated with independence and freedom. that we all share.

Experiencing the actual flag raising at Bowling Green in the Financial District has become an annual event for the community. The credit for its start goes to a couple of Albanian workers at an office building on the plaza back in 1992, as Chairman of Bowling Green Association Arthur Piccolo reminded the crowd that attended the ceremony. “Those workers,” Piccolo said, “collected the money to purchase an Albanian flag that had the double headed eagle and no star above it” – a symbol added in the communist era. “That was the first time the flag went up on Albania’s Independence Day in New York City,” he recalled. Harry Metuku of Metuku Law Firm and a Board member of the Pan Albanian Federation of America Vatra said that he attends the ceremony every year.

A few guest speakers underlined and amplified the power of symbolism. Recounting the political persecution of her family in communist Albania, Orchida Harizaj, Project Manager, Mayor’s Office of Ethnic and Community Media, called today’s event “a dream come true” in the context of the “pursuit of freedom and justice”. Mark Gjonaj, organizer and emcee of the program, highlighted the importance of celebrating not only a flag but “an identity”. “At this flag raising we come as one people… – as Albanians throughout the world,” he said.

Mayor Eric Adams greeted everyone by flashing the sign of the eagle as he approached the lectern. He praised the city with a large Albanian community dubbing it “the Albanian capital of the country.”

In his remarks, Edward Mermelstein, Commissioner of Mayor’s Office of International Affairs put the spotlight on the rise of the Albanian community from perhaps humble beginnings as “a typical New York story of resilience”. “Let today’s flag raising be a symbol of our shared aspirations,” said Commissioner Mermelstein.

The opening prayer by Imam Edin Gjoni of Albanian American Islamic Center of Queens called upon all “to reflect on the history that unites us,” focusing on two points: “the harmony and unity that define Albanian spirit” and “the heartfelt gratitude to American people” going back to President Wilson’s crucial support for Albania’s independence in the early years of 20th century.

Today’s event was attended by a number of dignitaries, public figures, city officials, as well as members of the NYPD Illyrian Society of Law Enforcement Officers. The flag raising set off a two-day celebration as tomorrow City Hall honors 111th year of Albania’s Independence Day.

Community and Cancer at Center of AFC Fourth Anniversary. What was it like to be there?

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Rafaela Prifti/

At AFC’s Fourth Anniversary dinner the impact of its work was in full display for over 200 guests assembled at the grand hall in Canton, 15 miles southwest of Boston, Massachusetts, on Sunday. A multitude of snapshots, subtle and noticeable, told moving stories that go to the heart of AFC humanitarian mission – a hug to a partner who is currently in remission, a tearful eye of a daughter looking across the white clothed-table at her mother that recently completed a cycle of  radiation, a friend that pins the purple ribbon on the blazer upon entering the venue with their family members, the SOLD sign placed next to the hand-knitted deep yellow colored vest – an auction item donated by a survivor – a quiet embrace for a relative who received a cancer diagnosis – marked the Gala event of AFC USA. From 2019 to 2023 the organization has helped 93 individuals, raised $ 163,000, had made donations including two hospitals in Albania and Kosovo thanks to the unrelenting efforts of the AFC Board, the Clinical Committee directed by Dr. Albana B. Mihali, MD, FACP, the donors and sponsors. 

From the time of its founding through the Covid pandemic to the fourth anniversary and onward, the AFC is driven by its commitment to survivors. One of them, whose initials are L.L. and who agreed to be in the story, said that the day started out with her “not being keen on going to a party” and, by the end of the extended five-hour-event on Sunday, she “was truly glad to have been there.” A wife, mother and grandmother, L. L, a longtime resident of Boston, received her breast cancer diagnosis in May of this year. She underwent surgery and recently completed radiation, getting a good prognosis by doctors. “I honestly didn’t think of being at the AFC celebration. But now I’m so glad I came here,” she said stepping outside the venue with an AFC imprinted logo mug – souvenir which was the centerpiece at the table arrangement- arranged gracefully with freshly cut pink and red roses by Enkela Pance, a Board member and Brizida Koci. Recognitions and certificates of appreciation to some AFC supporters were presented by Board members, Dr. Ivi Kasimati and Irvin Cepa.     

The approach to every single detail at the Gala from the presentation, banners, slide show, auction items, donations for raffle prizes reflected the wealth of experience and the meticulous execution by the AFC caring team. 

Roberta Panariti, AFC Founder and President, understands the intricacies of the fight against cancer. Her sister Noela, Health Insurance Policy Leader and AFC Board member, is a four-year colorectal cancer survivor. Evidently fighting cancer is personal. 

Emphasizing that point, Dr. Zhenisa Hysenaj, MD, a New York hematologist and oncologist specialist, and key note speaker at the event, said that “breast cancer, now counting at two million cases a year is not one disease, it’s many.” It might be the same diagnosis, but it is very different experiences for each individual. 

All three key note speakers, renowned specialists, Dr. Lorenc Malellari, MD in Colon Cancer and Dr. Hysenaj, MD in Breast Cancer, and Dr. Andreas Varkaris, MD at MA General Harvard Cancer Center, New Treatments and Clinical Trials, respectively underscored that testing and early screening saves lives. Looking into the future, Clinical Committee Chair, Albana Mihali, MD, FACP, hopes that “participating in clinical trials is an opportunity for the community.”

 “It is concerning that while colorectal cases in the older population are going down, the disease is trending upward among the young people,” said Dr. Lorenc Malellari, a California MD, double Board Certified in General Surgery and Rectal Surgery. In his presentation, Dr. Malellari, Medical Director at Robotic Surgical Center noted that colon cancer doesn’t manifest with any specific symptoms, which means it is even more important to test before one notice changes. “A small action that could save 40,000 lives a year,” he said. 

A reminder of the losses incurred along the journey was expressed in the form of a tribute to Dr. Çaushaj by Dr. Agim Aliaj. On the photos by the entrance and on the slides of the first AFC Gala 2019, Dr. Çaushaj’s smile injected joy to his colleagues. “There are over six hundred twenty organizations in the US that have the word cancer in their names. So what makes AFC unique?” asked Dr. Ivi Kasimati on Sunday. Then taking a few steps back toward the standup banner showing the logo with a circle of colorful ribbons spelling out the name Albanians Fighting Cancer, he ran his hand under the word Albanian. It prompted an immediate and enthusiastic applause. Feeling emotional but resolute in their commitment, all board members linked hands together inviting “everyone to symbolically join in” Dr. Agim Aliaj projected a gesture of the strength of standing with the community in the fight against cancer.  

It is worth noting the significance of the date and venue: October 1 being the first day of the Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the Blue Hill Country Club, Canton, Massachusetts, the venue of the first AFC Gala in 2019. 

The opening act of the 2023 Gala was a nod to the AFC fundraiser in May of this year. Roberta Panariti, who holds a music degree from Albania before coming to the US, invited the Gala guests to join her in a sing-along of the unofficial hymn of Albanians. Across the tables all around the hall, the gentle croon by the audience of Dua me shume Shqiperine (I love Albania the most) evoked the emotions of the piano rendition by Genc Tukici at Boston Symphony Hall at the May fundraiser of AFC. The evening’s fine entertainment included a tasteful DJ selection of song records from all Albanian regions. 

At home, L.L. put on the pink T shirt with the AFC logo that she picked up at the Gala. Looking at herself for the first time dressed in a garment she never owned before that Sunday. With her eyes fixated on one word, she said “I’m wearing my diagnosis,” expressing her will to reclaim what is hers – her powers over cancer. 

The journey of AFC is not long in years, yet quite poignant in the lives of every day survivors. https://albaniansfightingcancer.org/  

VATRA priti kryetarin e Komunës së Prishtinës z.Përparim Rama

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Rafaela Prifti/

New York, 20 Shtator 2023 – Kryetari i Komunës së Prishtinës z.Përparim Rama zhvilloi një vizitë zyrtare në zyrat e Federatës Pan-Shqiptare të Amerikës VATRA. I shoqëruar nga Këshilltarja e posaçme Jonada Jashari dhe Koordinatori për investime Astrit Panxha, Kryetari i Prishtinës Rama u prit nga Kryetari Elmi Berisha, Kryetari i Nderit Agim Rexhaj, Anëtarë të Kryesisë Besim Malota, Dr. Pashko Camaj, Bashkim Musabelliu e vatranë të tjerë. Në fjalën e mirëseardhjes z. Berisha e foli për rëndësinë e kultivimit të marrëdhënieve dhe forcimin e bashkëpunimit edhe më tutje. Z. Rama, i emocionuar për vizitën e tij të parë në Vatër, falenderoi vatranët për mikpritjen dhe shprehu nderim e mirënjohje për rolin e Vatrës në historinë e kombit shqiptar dhe veçanërisht ndihmën për shtetin e Kosovës. “Synimini i vizitës është konsolidimi i marrëdhënieve me shtetin amerikan,” tha z. Rama. Prishtina është tashmë anëtare e Rrjetit të Qyteteve me Potencë (Strong Cities Network) një nismë me rëndësi për prespektivat ekonomike të Ballkanit Perëndimor.

“Kultivimi i lidhjeve midis Vatrës dhe Prishtinës e Kosovës është dëshmuar në çdo kohë.”

Kryetari i Vatrës Elmi Berisha vlerësoi Memorandumin e Bashkëpunimit me Parlamentin e Kosovës dhe Ministrinë e Jashtme e të Diasporës në Kosovë si nismë që ka ndërmarrë Vatra me qëllim afrimin e mërgatës me shtetin amë.

“Përsa i takon lidhjeve shpirtërore me shqiptaro-amerikanët, ato kanë vend të veçantë,” tha Kryetari i Komunës së Prishtinës. Ai vlerësoi veçanërisht rolin shtetformues të Vatrës në udhëkryqe të historisë së Shqipërisë dhe për Kosovën në momente kyçe. Duke sjellë në mend organizimin e komunitetit në vitet 90-të, ai përmendi përjetimet e para të cilat i ndjen sa herë është në mesin e shqiptaro amerikanëve këtu. “Që nga vizita ime e parë në Nju Jork nga Londra në 1996 kur kam parë tubimin e bashkësisë shqiptare në Amerikë kam besuar për herë të pare se Kosova do arrinte pavarësinë.”

Duke ju referuar tensionimeve të kësaj periudhe dhe situatës së sigurisë në Kosovë si edhe ngërçit në dialogun me Serbinë, z. Përparim Rama tha “Sfidat na tregojnë se nuk duhet të ndalen përpjekjet për konsolidimin e shtetit, “dhe në këtë kontekst parësore janë siguria, sundimi i ligjit dhe ekonomia”.

Z. Agim Rexhaj, Kryetar Nderi i Vatrës tha se e çmon kulturën qytetare të Kryetarit të Komunës së Prishtinës si “shembull i ecurisë për shqiptarët,” pavarësisht aderimeve politike e partiake. Anëtari i Kryesisë Dr. Pashko Camaj ju tha mysafirëve se VATRA është shtëpia e shqiptarëve ku ata priten me derën hapur.

Vizita e parë në Vatër e Kryebashkiakut Rama dhe ekipit të tij do të pasohet nga takime të tjera gjatë javës së qëndrimit në Nju Jork, ku po mbahet Asambleja e Pergjithshme e OKB-së.

Observing The World In Real-Time Data Works for Everyone

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Rafaela Prifti/

Donald (Don) Leka, Founder, Chairman and CEO of the Jumptuit Group has been a proponent of observing the world in real-time data with the purpose of forecasting global events that impact all of us, while changes may occur within seconds. “The notion that there are historical patterns is a device that gives us a certain degree of comfort. But in fact things are constantly changing,” Leka said at Data for Impact Event – The Convergence of Artificial Intelligence and International Relations, School of International Service, American University, Washington, DC on September 18.

A data system expert, Donald Leka has been called to consult on and present to various agencies and institutions on the importance of accurate data and the tools that are designed to do it. The Ukraine war, he argues, is a large-scale example of the power of forecasting. It is a case where the potential impact of inaccurate data is just too massive to be ignored or disregarded.

The July 25 issue of Newsweek published Donald Leka’s critical views of the US response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine starting with sanctions and military aid by US and NATO. “The purpose of the sanctions was to deny Russia the ability to finance its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and bring the war to a swift conclusion. The White House issued a statement on April 6, 2022, outlining its policy toward Russia based on forecasts by experts predicting “Russia’s GDP will contract up to 15 percent this year, wiping out the last fifteen years of economic gains. Similar forecasts regarding Russia’s GDP contraction were made by the World Bank, reporting in April 2022,”sanctions already in place are expected to drive Russia’s GDP down by 11.2 percent in 2022.” (Forecasts, Policies and Outcomes: The Human and Financial Cost of Miscalculations, Leka Donald, Newsweek, July 25, 2023)The sactions did not succees in bringing Russia to the negotiating table.

“The forecasts failed to assess Russia’s ability to dynamically adapt to the sanctions by increasing economic activity and trade with India, China, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. The signals were readily available in real-time data but were unaccounted for in the forecast models,” writes Leka. The policymakers were inclined to and did follow inaccurate predictations that did not materialize. The outcomes is a prolonged war as the military aid pours into the country. “Despite the scale of economic sanctions and military aid, Ukraine has been unable to dislodge Russia from Eastern Ukraine,” the Jumtuit Founder writes.

There is no disputing that the forecasts that governments, organizations, and companies rely on is largely dependent on the currency, reliability, and completeness of the data. The question of accepting and relying on a comprehensive data system is not without challenges. One of them is AI. Leka says that “The challenge of applying AI and data science to understanding global events has become essential in an increasingly interdependent world and in the current crisis in Ukraine.”

Donald Leka has been developing pioneering cloud and mobile technologies since the early 2000s as a recent graduate student of the School of International Service, American University in Washington DC. AI ultimately led to the combining of his passions for International relations and data system building to synergize international data obtainment and analyze using machine learning and AI applications. The American University alumnus and his associates founded Jumptuit Group in 2013, “to address the need to quickly access accurate data and make informed decisions.” Jumptuit is a company poised to meet the challenge of applying AI and data science to understanding global events. It is an essential tool in an increasingly interdependent world and in the current crisis in Ukraine. Although it will remain unknown whether realistic forecasts prior to invasion would have de-escalated the conflict and given the edge to diplomatic efforts, Leka’s confidence in real-time data is stronger than ever. And so is the appeal for the technology that delivers it including the AI powered scenarios.

An entrepreneur in the information technology industry, Leka understood early on that “For technology to be widely applied, it must first widely appeal.” The Founder and CEO of Jumtuit has set out to putting data to work and to thinking of everyone in the process.

His engagement with real-world experience goes back to the University days of organizing international protests and providing humanitarian assistance. His background and education poised him well to brigde his global experience with business and technology. Donald Leka is an expert in analysis of huge data sets with algorithms to generate data-driven insights and scenario forecasting. “The intersection between cloud computing, AI, data science and the social sciences is where I have spent my career,” says Leka. He is a member of the higly respected Leka family, and the son of Dr. Agim Leka, (01.25.1924 – 03.08.2018) a philanthropic and pioneering doctor with an exemplary pasion for history and immense love for his homecountry of Albania.

Hirësimi i Nikodhimit Peshkop i Bostonit dhe Dioqezës Shqiptare – Provë bashkimi për kishën dhe komunitetin shqiptar

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Rafaela Prifti/

Arkimandriti Nikodhim është Peshkopi i Bostonit dhe i Kryedioqezës shqiptare nën kupolën e Kishës Ortodokse në Amerikë (OCA). Besimtarët pjesëmarrës në shugurimin ceremonial të tij në 16 shtator në Katedralen Ortodokse Shqiptare të Shën Gjergjit në lagjen Bostoni i Jugut (South Boston) e ndiejnë rëndësinë historike që ka ky moment. Peshkopi Nikodhim eshte pasadhës i Hirësisë së tij Nikon (Liolin) (1945-2019) i cili e ishte mësuesi i tij, ndërsa ai vetë pohonte se ishte pasuesi i Metropolitit Fan Noli (1882-1965). Ruajtja e vazhdimësisë nënkupton stabilitet dhe qëndrueshmëri, të cilave kisha si institucion u kushton shumë vëmendje. Artur Lionlin, ish-Kancelar i Kryedioqezës Shqiptare të Bostonit, ku ka shërbyer për 50 vjet, dhe vëllai i Peshkopit të mëparshëm, tha se ceremonia do jetë diçka e paharrueshme për të gjithë ata që do kenë fatin të jenë dëshmitarë. At Liolini nuk mund të ishte fizikisht i pranishëm, por nëpërmjet birit të tij Evans tha: “Jemi të kënaqur të shohim vazhdimësi për Kryedioqezën Shqiptare.”

Hirësisë së tij i është dhënë titulli Kancelar Nderi në vitin 2021 kur në atë post u vendos përkohësisht Igumeni Nikodhim.

https://www.stgeorgetrumbull.org/…/2021.02.11-Letter-to…

Ceremonia ka peshë historike edhe për shkak të vendit të veçantë që ka Kisha e Shën Gjergjit në Boston për historinë e komunitetit dhe të kombit shqiptar. “Kisha Ortodokse shqiptare në Amerikë dhe Vatra kanë luajtur rol kyç për çështjen kombëtare, duke qënë dy shtyllat që kontribuan në momentet më të vështira për kombin shqiptar,” tha Kryetari i Nderit i Vatrës Agim Rexhaj. Në këtë ditë, Federata PanShqiptare e Amerikës Vatra përfaqësohej nga z. Rexhaj, Sekretarja Nazo Veliu, Editorja e Anglishtes së gazetës Dielli Rafaela Prifti dhe Petrit Alibeaj i Degës së Vatrës Boston.

Peshkopi Nikodhim, 44 vjeçar, i lindur Nathan Preston në një familje amerikane protestante nga Idaho, ka kryer studimet teologjike dhe ka shërbyer mbi dhjetë vjet në Kishën Ortodokse Shqiptare të Shën Nikollës në Nju Jork. https://gazetadielli.com/father-nikodhim-gets-a-farewell…/

At Nikodhim u zgjodh Peshkop në Asamblenë e Dioqezës shqiptare në shtator të vitit të kaluar në Nju Jork. I pari peshkop joshqiptar i zgjedhur në këtë post do mbikqyrë tani kishat shqiptare nën kupolën e Kishës Ortodokse OCA. Shumë klerikë amerikanë dhe me prejardhje të tjera si ruse, rumune etj, kanë shërbyer dhe shërbejnë me përkushtim në famullitë e dioqezës shqiptare në Amerikë prej shumë viteve. Vetë At Nikodhim u përkujdes të përgatiste pasardhës si Dhjaku Eugen (Eugene), gjatë periudhës së shërbesës në Kishën e Shën Nikollës (Shën Kollit) në Nju Jork.

Numri i priftërinjve shqiptarë në Shtetet e Bashkuara dhe në dioqezën shqiptare nën Kishën Ortodokse në Amerikë është i pakët. Vala e emigratëve shqiptarë në këtë vend rritet me shpejtësi në dekadat e fundit. Fluksi e vendos më shumë në rend të ditës çështjen e përgatitjes së klerikëve për kishën.

Nga ana e tij, Hirësia e tij Tikhon, Kryepeshkop i Uashingtonit dhe Metropolit për Amerikën dhe Kanadanë, shprehu qëndrimin e Kishës Ortodokse në Amerikë ku aderojnë Dioqezat e pakicave midis tyre edhe ajo shqiptare që nga viti 1971. “Ndasitë etnike dhe gjuhësore nuk i shërbejnë punës në emër të Zotit,”- tha Kryepeshkopi Tikhon.

Komuniteti shqiptar ka ndjeshmëri për mbajtjen e liturgjisë në gjuhën shqipe. Në hirësimin e Nikodhimit u ndoqën nomet kanonike të ortodoksisë dhe gjatë betimit të Peshkopit të zgjedhur, veshjes me rrobet e hierarkut u kënduan hymne dhe lutje në shqip dhe në anglisht. https://gazetadielli.com/highlights-ahead-of-ordination…/

Në mbyllje, gjashtë klerikët pjesëmarrës në dorëzimin e Nikodhimit Peshkop e drejtuan të ulej në fronin e tij, shoqëruar me fjalët “I Denjë”. Duke mbajtur “stapin e peshkopit” – relike e paraqitur në foto dhe portrete të klerikëve paraardhës, Nikodhimi i saposhuguruar përmendi se gjatë përgatitjeve te diteve te fundit në kishë u gjet “pagëzori” i Nolit, i parë si shprehje simbolike e vazhdimësisë dhe unitet të dioqezës.

Mes besimtarëve pjesëmarrës në kishën e Shën Gjergjit ishin anëtarët e familjes Preston nga Idaho, të mbledhur në “A Big family reunion” (bashkim të gjerë familjar,) tha Nikodhimi.

Hirësimi i Nikodhimit Peshkop i Bostonit dhe Dioqezës Shqiptare shihet si provë për kishën dhe komunitetin shqiptar në përpjekjet për të qenë të bashkuar.