Totally overshadowed by the dramatic events in Tunisia and Egypt, thousands of Albanians have also been taking to the streets in desperation for just and stable national leadership. On 31 January Christians initiated a Caravan of Peace which gathered in front of Mother Therea's Monument in the square named after Albania's most famous daughter.
Arian Galdini is a young Albanian politician who for years has been trying to raise a Christian voice in the public square in this country, which once proudly proclaimed itself the world's first atheistic state. Inspired by the European Parliament Prayer Breakfast in Brussels he has initiated national prayer breakfasts in Tirana to bring the nation's top politicians together in a humble attitude of dependence on God.
Humility, however, is the last attitude being modelled presently in Albania by the conservative president, Sali Berisha, and the socialist opposition leader, Edi Rama. The nation has been polarised now for months as these two leaders have refused to dialogue and settle differences. The socialists accuse Berisha for rigging the 2009 national elections and demand his resignation. Berisha (who was at the centre of Albania's stormy upheavals around pyramid schemes in the late '90's) refuses to resign, and counter-accuses the opposition of attempting a coup d'etat. The two leaders have taken their feud onto the streets, mobilising their followers in massive demonstrations and counter-demonstrations. Ten days ago three socialist supporters were shot dead by police.
"As Christians, we must do what we can to be peacemakers."
Arian meanwhile has tried to rally academics and intellectuals, politicians and religious to drive a wedge for peace and calm between the two rival blocs. He has written articles for the main newspapers pleading for dialogue. He sent sms's to Berisha and Rama urging them to follow the paths of peace and dialogue, without response. The total control of the media by the two strong leaders has discouraged Arian. In his view, the media whip up emotions which do not serve justice, truth, peace and interests of the Albanian People; only militants voices are being heard.
Arian has written to contacts outside of Albania asking for prayer and wisdom. Today he and some colleagues will meet with the president. After that the group plan to declare a Hunger Strike for Peace in front of the prime minister's office. They expect the media to studiously ignore them. But they believe, as Christians, they must do what they can to be peacemakers. They ask for our prayer for peace and righteous government in their land. It's the least we can do.
Source: Arian Galdini, Jeff Fountain
Arian Galdini is a young Albanian politician who for years has been trying to raise a Christian voice in the public square in this country, which once proudly proclaimed itself the world's first atheistic state. Inspired by the European Parliament Prayer Breakfast in Brussels he has initiated national prayer breakfasts in Tirana to bring the nation's top politicians together in a humble attitude of dependence on God.
Humility, however, is the last attitude being modelled presently in Albania by the conservative president, Sali Berisha, and the socialist opposition leader, Edi Rama. The nation has been polarised now for months as these two leaders have refused to dialogue and settle differences. The socialists accuse Berisha for rigging the 2009 national elections and demand his resignation. Berisha (who was at the centre of Albania's stormy upheavals around pyramid schemes in the late '90's) refuses to resign, and counter-accuses the opposition of attempting a coup d'etat. The two leaders have taken their feud onto the streets, mobilising their followers in massive demonstrations and counter-demonstrations. Ten days ago three socialist supporters were shot dead by police.
"As Christians, we must do what we can to be peacemakers."
Arian meanwhile has tried to rally academics and intellectuals, politicians and religious to drive a wedge for peace and calm between the two rival blocs. He has written articles for the main newspapers pleading for dialogue. He sent sms's to Berisha and Rama urging them to follow the paths of peace and dialogue, without response. The total control of the media by the two strong leaders has discouraged Arian. In his view, the media whip up emotions which do not serve justice, truth, peace and interests of the Albanian People; only militants voices are being heard.
Arian has written to contacts outside of Albania asking for prayer and wisdom. Today he and some colleagues will meet with the president. After that the group plan to declare a Hunger Strike for Peace in front of the prime minister's office. They expect the media to studiously ignore them. But they believe, as Christians, they must do what they can to be peacemakers. They ask for our prayer for peace and righteous government in their land. It's the least we can do.
Source: Arian Galdini, Jeff Fountain
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