OUR TEAM

President

Suljeman Vela is a seasoned entrepreneur, established in the community since 1997. Over the decades of his involvement, he has built a successful business while always maintaining a deep commitment to serving the community — both in his hometown and where he lives and works. Driven by the belief that community unity brings lasting change, Suljeman is determined to contribute to building a better future for generations to come. With heart and clear goals, he continues to work towards leaving a valuable legacy for his community.

HYSEN KRAJA

Vice President

Hamid Alaj is a well-known Kraja researcher and author, focusing mainly on the culture, tradition and ethnographic history of the Kraja region. He has significantly contributed with publications and research that help preserve and recognize the Kraja cultural identity, as well as in the dissemination of knowledge about this region in the diaspora and beyond.

He has published the book "Kraja Bridal Dress", a detailed study on the traditional Kraja dress, analyzing its origin, elements, symbolism and role as part of the Albanian cultural identity. This book is considered an important contribution to Albanian ethnography.

Hamid Alaj is also the author of a book on "Islamic Institutions and Imams of Kraja", which explains the history and development of religious life in this region.

With his works, he has enriched the scientific library of the Vatra Federation in New York with some of his publications, including works on folk costumes, folklore, historical documents of Kraja, as well as other cultural topics.

He has been active in the Patriotic Association “Kraja” as its president for three years, then as treasurer and currently as its Vice President. He has given speeches as a researcher and representative of the Kraja community at cultural events in the diaspora and his homeland.

His activities include book promotions and public presentations in the Albanian community in the United States, book promotions in his homeland, connecting generations with the traditions and history of his homeland.

Hamid Alaj is a key figure in the modern recognition of Kraja traditions because he:
documents elements of culture that may not have been treated scientifically before; presents these topics not only to locals, but also to the diaspora and other researchers;
helps in preserving cultural heritage for future generations.

In 2025 (May 18, 2025) with a group of employees from the Albanian diaspora (namely from Besi's village - as assistant director) in New York, he stages the Drama "Our Wedding", based on the book "Dasma krajane dhe ceremoniali i saj", written by himself (Author Hamid Alaj), played by the students of the "Fol Shqip" School, a school that operates within the framework of the "Besi" Association in New York, USA. This drama was played at the P.S. 88 Ridgewood School, Queens-New York.

So far, he has published the following works:

• From the nectar of human wisdom

• Turkish-Ottoman borrowings in the dialect of Krajë

• The development of schools and education in the region of Krajë and Shestan

• Patience and endurance according to Islamic principles

• Folk songs from the region of Krajë-Shestan

• The Krajë wedding and its ceremonial

• The Mosque of Qyrjan - the first Islamic institution in the region of Krajë

• Various documents from the past of Krajë and Shestan

• The Krajë bridal dress

• Institutions and Imams of Krajë

• Under the shadow of the blini.

He also has several other works in manuscript, some of which are mainly dedicated to the region of Krajë.

Vice President

Musa Lukolić proudly hold the titles of Vice President at the Kraja Association. Their extraordinary efforts over the past two years have brought many benefits to the Albanian community. In their advisory roles, they will provide valuable guidance to the executive board and offer their expertise in managing the day-to-day affairs of the association.

AGIM CURA