New York, NY, May 2, 1997...At a City Hall ceremony today the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) honored an Albanian Muslim who rescued Jews during the Holocaust and Speaker of the New York City Council, Peter Vallone, along with Councilman Wendell Foster presented a proclamation to ADL New York Regional Board in recognition of its commemoration of Holocaust Day.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, presented the League's Courage to Care Award to Arian Myrto whose father, Shyqyri Myrto, an Albanian Muslim, rescued Jews during the Holocaust. As a student, Shyqyri, became friends with Jozef Jakoel. When the Nazis invaded Albania four years later, Shyqyri rescued Jozef and his sister Keti by hiding them from the Germans.

Dr. Anna Kohen, an Albanian Jew whose parents were hidden from the Nazis disguised as Muslims, spoke about her family's experience.

During the Holocaust, Albanian Jews were shielded from the Nazis by their Muslim countrymen and one hundred percent survived. Speaking on behalf of the Albanian people was Albanian Ambassador to the United Nations, Pellumb Kulla.

New York City students from Regis High School, Yeshiva Ohel Moshe and the Yeshiva of Flatbush also participated in the ceremony with a presentation of songs and poetry.

The commemoration was co-hosted by ADL's New York Regional Board, Braun Holocaust Institute, and Jewish Foundation for Christian Rescuers as well as the City Council of New York and the Jewish Study group of the New York City Council.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.