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| Logos of Albanian organizations in the USA |
This initiative was spearheaded by the dedicated activist Naser Nika and has garnered significant support from various Albanian organizations and institutions. The full list of signatories, including the names of their respective representatives, was published by the Albanian-American newspaper Illyria in New York.
"I am thrilled to announce that the letter requesting the celebration of Albanian Independence Day has been officially submitted to the Executive Office of the President of the United States!" Nika declared in a statement to the community. "A huge thank you goes to Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis for personally delivering the request to the President."
Nika also expressed deep gratitude to all the Albanian associations that united in signing this important letter. "This is a significant step for our community, and now our message is in the hands of the highest office in the country," he stated.
The request follows a recent White House celebration of Greek Independence Day, during which President Donald Trump met with representatives of the Greek-American community. At the event, Greek Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presented Trump with a golden cross and drew a historical parallel, likening him to Constantine the Great, the Illyrian-born Roman emperor who made Christianity the official religion of the empire.
Interestingly, Congresswoman Malliotakis, who facilitated the Albanian-American request, is of Greek descent. During her election, many Albanians had supported her Republican rival, Marko Kepi. However, since her election to the U.S. Congress, Malliotakis has fostered a strong working relationship with the Albanian-American community and has now demonstrated her commitment by assisting with this initiative.
The Albanian-American community eagerly awaits a response from the White House and hopes that their national day of independence will receive the same recognition as other ethnic communities in the United States.