Gala fundraising for the Mother Teresa Cathedral in Pristina - Cathedral raised up by two the main originators, the historic former President of Kosovo Dr. Ibrahim Rugova and former bishop, Bishop Mark Sopi; the the largest event ever held in the history of the Albanian diaspora in the US, since 8 years ago June 2008.
This evening brought many blessings, substantial financial donations, union, love, speeches, concerts with songs and dances from all regions, prayer and blessing religious, hope in the Lord: these were the main pillars of the Gala, dedicated one of the major works, the symbol of the Albanians in the civilized world in the heart of Europe, that the construction of the Cathedral of "Mother Teresa" in Pristina - Kosovo.
This gala evening will be long remembered by Albanians in America, because it was developed as a gesture of love for the whole Albanian Catholic community, wherever they live in Kosovo, Albania, and Albanian areas.
It (Gala dinner) was the result of hard work that was done to bring Albanians together of all three religions, political beliefs and different territories, former Republican New York Congressman Joseph J.DioGuardi and his wife Shirley Klojes as members of the Commission to increase funding for the construction of Mother Teresa Cathedral in Pristina. Mr. Dioguadri led the dinner, Mr. Marjan Cubi was already President of the Commission, and Dom Pjetër Popaj was Honorary Chairman.
In his opening speech directed to around 600-700 members, Don Peter Popaj participants, Vicar of the Church "The Lady of Shkodra" in Hartsdale, New York, said that night to all Albanians that I have the honor and pleasure to greet you all and to address you who came today to take part in this magnificent fundraising evening of Mother Teresa Cathedral in Pristina. "I want to thank you all for your support, and in a special way to thank the Organizing Committee for their hard work. Their noble contributions and others of our community, have made a good step for the campaign. We hope that your generosity inflame your heart that you also contribute to the construction of this saint temple, a national monument and a sign of communion, said among others Don Pjetër Popaj.
Honored guest from Kosovo, in that magnificent evening were Bishop Dode Gjergji, Bishop of Kosovo, who like spicy spotted in his speech that was in addition Gala is attached to the independence of Kosovo, which was announced three months ago. "Kosovo's independence is primarily your merit, the Albanians of America," he said, following so his sincere gratitude. "You have the merit that have made America, to help us in the realization of our dream centuries". He also thank the occasion Albanian former state representative, the head of the UN mission in Albania His Excellency Mr. Adrian Neritani and Consul General Dr. Albert Jerasi. While congratulated them for the invitation he received from NATO Albania - wishing that it be followed by membership in the EU.
Mr. Marijan Cubi, prominent activist of the community, and one of the top leaders of Church Council, Chairman of the Committee to raise funds for the construction of the Cathedral, mentioned the fact that there had been several months since a group of 57 Albanian Americans from New York, are concentrated on how to help the Cathedral, very important for Kosovo, the Albanians in general, and Illyrian - Dardan peoples, Cubi mentioned in his speech. In his speech he mentioned participants from Albania, Kosovo, from South to North, from Ulcinj and Highland, Hoti and Gruda, from Trieshi, Koja of Kuci, Dibra and Cham.
The Gala fundraising for Mother Teresa Cathedral in Pristina and the celebration of Independence, was developed with one of the biggest activities of diaspora activities, in recent decades for the collection of relief in New York.
The evening took place in the biggest sports center "Westcheter County Center",NY. The building was decorated with the colors of the national symbols, and Catholic. At the entrance were placed toward the boulevard, a bust of our national hero Skanderbeg and Albanian Nobel Prize laureate Mother Teresa.
With the playing of the national hymn, the US and Albania from Dila Gecaj and John Krasniqi, marked the opening of this magnificent evening.
The program of the evening had two ceremonial leaders, the president of the Albanian American Civic League, Joseph J. DioGuardi and the Secretary of Hearth Pan Albanian Federation Vatra, in matters of education was Ms. Majlinda Myrto.
This was an activity in which, stood out of New York Democratic Senator Charles E. Schumer, who delivered a brilliant speech, which was applauded for a long period.The event was titled "Gala fundraising for Cathedral Mother Teresa in Pristina and the celebration of Independence ". In this Gala devised by the Albanian Catholic Church in America "The Lady of Shkodra" in Hartsdale, NY, and the former Republican New York Congressman Joseph J.DioGuardi, and his wife Shirley Klojes are accumulated more than 1.3 million US dollars.
Of which only one Muslim businessman, Jim Xhema made the greatest gift, donated $ 100,000. What it is the classic example, the most beautiful example of coexistence and interfaith harmony, which exists among Albanians.