Tirana, Albania - Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon were welcomed to Albania by an illustrious group of Ambassadors for Peace, including UPF Secretary General Gani Rroshi, Mr. Gaqo Apostoli (Chairman of the National Peace Council), Mrs. Rubena Moisiu (Director of Maternity of Tirana), Mr. Nard Ndoka (Member of Parliament), Astrit Memia (Director of Information for Democratic Party), and Ambassador Vladimir Lame.

Just 20 minutes later, Father and Mother Moon were meeting with the Albanian Prime Minster, Dr. Sali Berisha. Right after that, they had a meeting with President Alfred Moisiu. Both meetings were very special, warm and practical, and were indications of the enthusiastic welcome Father and Mother Moon and the Universal Peace Federation were to receive.

The day before, we held a press conference at the Rogner Hotel, and five TV stations and newspapers came to receive information. That evening the two national TV stations featured the program and the news was very positive and informative for the Albanian people. Mr. Rroshi, who opened the Press Conference, was joined by Mr. Apostoli and several other members of National Peace Council including Mr. Halid Muharremi, a Muslim theologian, and Dalip Cota, a professor at the Philological Faculty.

The inauguration of the Universal Peace Federation was held at the Congress Hall of Tirana. Two hours before the program the first group of people arrived, five busloads from Shkodra, a city in the North of Albania. With the success of the press conference, and with people inviting all their relatives, neighbors and friends for this significant event (there are still not many international programs in Albania), we were expecting more than 3,000 people even though the capacity of the hall was only 2,500. So we arranged for another hall at the nearby Academy of Arts.

The event started at 5:10 pm with a program prepared Chris Davis, a recent arrival from Britain, in cooperation with Mrs. Suzana Turku, Vice Minister of Culture. Suzana Rexhepi was MC. Mrs. Suzana Frasheri, a famous soprano and Professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts, sang the salutatory song and Mr. Edmond Brahimaj, a representative of the Bectashian Community, gave a warm welcome.

Prof. Dr. Rexhep Mejdani, former President of Albania and member of Global Peace Council, was invited to the stage to welcome Father and Mother Moon to Albania. He is very popular politician in our country; therefore, his word was very important. In a surprising finish, he concluded his remarks by reciting the Crown of Glory, a poem written by Father Moon when he was just 15 years old. Dr. Mejdani translated it into Albanian.

Right after that very personal introduction, Father Moon was invited to the stage to give his peace messaged. He was interrupted several times by applause. During the speech, he often interacted with Dr. Rexhep Mejdani, sitting in the front row of the audience. Afterwards, Mr. Astrit Memia offered a gift to Father and Mother Moon on behalf of the Prime Minister of Albania.

After the program, the Leadership and Good Governance Award was given to Prof. Dr. Rexhep Mejdani and Ambassador for Peace certificates given to Mr. Avni Mula (Artist and great singer of Albania), Mr. Nasi Lera (Famous writer of Albania), and Prof. Dr. Sadik Murati from Shkodra.

The event included an invitation for couples to join in a world peace blessing toast of marriage rededication.

A wonderful dance of a group of young boys and girls followed the program. Then Irini Qiriako and his group sang a number of beautiful popular songs. People were happy and joyful. They were singing and dancing. It was a wonderful and unforgettable day.

To read the inaugural peace message, click here.
To download a report booklet of the UPF Founders' 2005 World Peace Tour, click here.