Kosovans extend hand of friendship

Pictured standing in the Mayor’s Parlour, from left, are Arsim and Osman Caka; Mustafa Grainca, the director of economy and finance in Ferizaj, Kosova; Councillor Akhtar; Naim Ferati, the director of sport and culture in Ferizaj; Idriz Iseni, a professional chess player; and Andrew Canterbury, front right, sculptor of Mother Theresa’s hands at Gorton Monastery, with Leutrin Caka, Osman’s grandson.

A delegation of Kosovan Albanians paid a visit to the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Shoab Akhtar, to remember the friendship and shelter shown by local people during the war in former Yugoslavia.

The Albanians arrived at Chadderton Town Hall, in May, 1999, with just the clothes they wore. More than 100 people were given hot food, new clothes and showers, before beds were provided. Many made their homes in and around Oldham.

One of them was Osman Caka, who now lives in Manchester and who has realised his dream of providing a sculpture in honour of Albanian-born Mother Theresa, a pair of hands in prayer, at Gorton Monastery.

Now he wants to provide another statue to say thank you to the people of Oldham.

Mr Caka introduced the Albanian visitors and also the sculptor of the Gorton statue, Andrew Canterbury.

And they presented the Mayor with a commemorative plate from Kosovo, to mark their visit.