Dr Ramkaj said among other things that ” Since I belong to a generation that lived very little under the communist regime, it has been difficult to understand the suffering, sacrifice, and hardship that clergymen of religious faith encountered during that period. However, I expressed my idea that history, if forgotten, is likely to be repeated. Thus, there is a need to remind the generations to come with all the possibilities, spaces, intellectual and civil capacities, the crimes and horrors of that dark period of history.

One of the forms of the greatest genocide that took place in Albania during the communist regime, was the beating of the clergy and the eradication of cult objects, something that even today in Albanian society has not been radically discussed, to see the causes and consequences it has left on beliefs religious that period.
Unfortunately, forgetting or feeling indifferent does not solve the problem of the current challenges facing the religious communities in the country, especially with the challenges of property restitution, clergy status or even other contemporary challenges that are under discussion within the communities and not for public discussion.
Yesterday were honored all those clerics who during the communist regime were denigrated, persecuted and insulted only because their only guilt is belief in God. One such example was Father Josif.”

Dr Ramkaj also expressed his gratitude to the Albanian Authority of the Files and the Municipality of Elbasan that awarded this deserved title to this renown cleric.

At this UNGA Side Event 76, senior officials from the US Department of State, the Swedish Ministry of Justice and Defense’s Research Agency, the UK Office for Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth & Development and the United Nations Office on Terrorism (UNOCT) discussed recent trends in recruitment, propaganda and conspiracies, and the key challenges facing governments in working to counter terrorism this urgent international threat. The event also announced the creation of a new Counter-Terrorism Law Enforcement Forum to address REMVE and highlight the RJVE Criminal Justice Practitioner IIJ Guide — a key resource for governmental and non-governmental actors in addressing this phenomenon.

IRI Executive Director, Dr. Arben Ramkaj, noted the importance of every action and initiative to be guided by a genuine intention of protecting and enriching peace. Dr Ramkaj highlighted the role and potential of clerics in the process of peace-building.

IRI wishes all of you: HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE!

The conference included the speech of the Chairman of the Advisory Board of IRI, Mr. Ilirian Gjoni, the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination Mr. Robert Gajda, the greeting of Professor Gjergji Sinani and the presentation of the project consultant from Open Europe Consulting Mrs. Andrea Mewaldt.

Local projects were presented by Miranda Mansaku, ‘Udhetimi i lire’ association, for Durres; Wilson Shehu, ‘Youth of Ura’ Association, for Berat; Zemaida Mozali, professor of European studies for Shkodra; Maria Dojce, ICT Hub Korca; Rudina Collaku, Director of WCDCA for the project in Elbasan and for Tirana, Ledia Canga from the IRI Youth Forum.

IRI and Director Ramkaj are committed to extend the network and collaboration of our Institute in global networks and organizations which share the values of peace, interfaith dialogue and harmony.

In the declaration of the Catholic Church (https://kishakatolikeshkoder.com/deklarate-e-konferences-ipeshkvore-te-shqiperise-per-zgjedhjet-e-25-prillit-2021/) the phenomenon of candidates who lack integrity is mentioned, and a respective call for the refusal of it by citizens is also made. 

Meanwhile the Muslim Community (https://www.kmsh.al/qendrimi-i-komunitetit-mysliman-te-shqiperise-per-zgjedhjet-e-25-prillit-2021/  ) reminds citizens that this period is simultaneously the period of the holy month of Ramadan, which pushes us even more towards humane values and citizen responsibilities.

IRI endorses these mature calls which come as part of the tradition of both political neutrality but also of positive constitution to the society by the religious communities in Albania and calls upon responsible stakeholders and citizens to guarantee e calm, free and fair election process.

Dr Arben Ramkaj, Executive Director of IRI Albania, describes these calls as properly placed for this situation and playing a very constructive role for the society at this moment.

This Committee aims at strengthening and linking friendship between peoples and promoting the spirit of tolerance, peace and love between different religions.

The board of the Committee will have as representatives Dr. Arben Ramkaj (founder and member of the Steering Board of the Interfaith Institute of Albania and representative of the International Council for Tolerance and Peace in Balkan) and Mr. Faisal Foulad a former member of the Bahrain Advisory Council, President of the Bahrain for Human Rights Watch Association and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Committee for Religious Tolerance.

“Anba’a Al Jeum- Today’s News”