Yesterday, we had the honour of visiting the Palestinian Embassy in Tirana, an experience filled with warmth, hospitality, and powerful emotion.
As a group of around 20 participants, we were greeted at the door by none other than the Ambassador himself. With a kind smile, he welcomed each of us personally. As a gesture of respect and unity, he placed a keffiyeh on the shoulders of every man, while the embassy staff did the same for the women. It was a deeply symbolic moment that set the tone for the day.
In the meeting room, the Ambassador expressed his gratitude for our presence, and we thanked him for such a generous welcome. The meeting began with a recitation of Al-Fatiha, making heartfelt du’as for the martyrs.
The Ambassador then spoke openly and emotionally about the very desperate situation in Gaza and the West Bank, describing how things have never been worse. He shared personal stories, including the heartbreaking reality that some of his own relatives were seriously suffering from severe hunger and couldn’t even get a piece of bread. His voice expressed both pain and strength. He explained that he had insisted on our visit so that we could share that pain together.
Throughout the meeting, he answered thoughtful questions from our group, including one from a a little boy, Enes, who asked how he could help the Palestinian people. The Ambassador listened and responded with care.
To express our gratitude, we offered the Ambassador a special gift: a handcrafted figure of a traditional Albanian man from Labëria, dressed in a fustanella and qeleshe.
Then, the Ambassador invited us to a lunch he had personally arranged: traditional Palestinian food, shared with all of us in the spirit of hospitality and community.
After lunch, we returned to the meeting room, which by then felt like a second home. We stayed for two hours, deeply engaged, connected, and grateful. Before leaving, the group gathered for a photo at the embassy door, capturing a moment none of us will forget.
It was a warm, touching, and truly fulfilling experience. One that reminded us of the power of solidarity.
