Agim Aliçkaj and Hafiz Shala become honorary members

At its 833rd meeting, on 25 August 2023, Rotary Club Peja admitted as honorary members two dedicated activists for the national cause and board members of the Albanian American Civic League, Agim Aliçkaj and Hafiz Shala. Through their work, dedication and lobbying they helped the cause of freedom and independence, serving the nation as volunteers throughout their lives.

Also present was Haki Dervishi of the Indio Sunrise Rotary Club in California, whose contribution to Kosovo and to Rotary has been extraordinary. Agim Aliçkaj shared a lesser-known part of that story: Haki Dervishi funded the publication of Rescue in Albania and worked closely with its author Harvey Sarner, a book that brought to light the role of Albanians in saving Jews during the Holocaust. Dr. Neshad R. Albani thanked him for his support, and for his and his club’s lobbying for Kosovo’s admission to Rotary International in 2005 and the charter of Rotary Club Peja.

Mentored by Haki Dervishi, the new members received the Rotary pin and membership certificate, the “Welcome to Rotary” kit, Rotary Basics, the club’s brochure, and Frank Talk on Rotary, translated into Albanian by Gjergji Çiçoi of Rotary Club Korça.