Albania: MJAFT!

nospam@example.com (Friday Fax) — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 22:09:00 +0200

"Enough is enough!" That is an approximate translation of the word 'Mjaft!' which can be seen all over Albania with a red hand as background. MJAFT! started in Spring 2003 as a 4-month campaign to formulate Albania's social problems, above all rampant corruption, human trafficking, blood feuds, poverty and poor services. The man behind MJAFT! is Erion Veliaj, a follower of Jesus according to AEP's Grant Van Cleve. Veliaj studied in the USA, and was appalled by the terrible condition of his nation on his return. Like Joshua, he decided not to give up, but to say "I and my house will serve the Lord!" (Joshua 24). Erion was convinced that every person and family should stand up and declare that they had had enough. "Even if it appears that nobody can make a difference on their own, everyone should have the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the status quo. With time and courageous actions, the climate of passive resignation can be broken and a new climate for positive change created," says Veliaj. Today, MJAFT! posters and pamphlets are everywhere, and the idea is beginning to take hold. In Shkodra, Albania's prefecture most affected by blood feuds, hundreds took to the streets to protest against the terrible tradition, including widows, famous authors, local politicians, students, reporters and foreigers. More than 250 families and 2,000 individuals in Shkodra are currently affected by blood feuds, and in northern Albania, 1,370 families and at least 7,000 individuals are effectively under house arrest because of their fear of violence. "But shouting 'Enough'! is not enough," says Veliaj. He aims to create a campaign which creates a new sense of society, thus putting the Legislative under political pressure to take action.

Source: Hope for Europe and www.mjaft.org

The Friday Fax - Albania

Albania: MJAFT!