The exhibit is called Besa: A Code of Honor – Muslim Albanians that Rescued Jews During the Holocaust, and comes from Yad Vashem: The World Holocaust Remembrance Center. January 24th is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and the community is invited to the University YMCA to a kickoff event with speakers and refreshments.
According to the press release, “Besa means “to keep the promise.” It serves as the highest ethical code in Albania. Following the German occupation in Albania in 1943, the Muslim-majority country of Albania protected their Jewish citizens and provided refuge to Jewish people from other parts of Europe. Almost all of the Jewish people living within Albanian borders during the war survived.”
This is an interfaith endeavor, and speakers will include Imam Ousmane Sawadogo from CIMIC. Ambassador Teuta Sahatqija, the Republic of Kosovo’s General Consulate in New York, and Ines Demiri, the Consulate’s First Secretary will be in attendance as special guests.
The exhibit involves a collaboration of several groups including the Y as well as Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center, Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation, Illini Hillel, the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Endowment Fund, the Interfaith Alliance of Champaign County, Interfaith in Action, Sinai Temple, the Program in Jewish Culture and Society at Illinois and Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity – Delta Chapter.