Forty two children were the reason for celebration in the town of Rudozem

Public recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by 23 girls and 19 boys between 6 and 14 years old were the reason for a celebration in the town of Rudozem on 19th of April, 2015. The Hatim celebration took place was on the initiative of the parents of the children, who made their first reading of the entire Holy Qur’an, and with the assistance of the Muslim Board of Trustees – Rudozem and the Regional Mufti’s Office – Smolyan.
The event which was held in front of the central mosque of the town of Rudozem gathered over 5000 people Muslims and Christians from the Municipality of Rudozem, many guests from Smolyan region and from the country, as well as from the neighbouring Greece. The official guests of the celebration were the Deputy Grand Mufti of the Republic of Bulgaria Birali Birali Myumyun, the Regional Mufti of Razgrad Mehmed Alya, the co-host of the celebration – the Regional Mufti of Smolyan Nedzhmi Dabov, the Regional Governor of Smolyan region Nedyalko Slavov, the Deputy Regional Governor Zarko Marinov, MPs Mustafa Karadaya and Dr. Daniela Daritkova, the mayors of the municipalities of Rudozem and Madan Rumen Pehlivanov and Fahri Molaysenov, many imams and Muslim boards of trustees from the region and the country, businessmen, politicians and public figures.
During the program prepared by the teachers Vahdi Delihusev, Hayri Sherifov and Myumine Sherifova, the young Muslims easily recited by heart verses from the Qur’an and explained their meaning in Bulgarian, they performed edifying songs and recited the words of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), with which they reminded the audience about the Islamic values and virtues. The children ended the program with a dua (supplication) for guidance and prosperity of the whole Bulgaria.
The Regional Mufti of Smolyan congratulated in his welcoming speech the teachers for their efforts and patience in the preparation of the program, the parents for the responsibility which they demonstrated in bringing up their children according to the Islamic values, and the children for their diligence during the Qur’an courses, and urged them to continue to follow the way of religious education and upbringing and with self-esteem and confidence. The Mufti said: “We are proud of these wonderful children, today excellent in school and tomorrow highly responsible citizens who will be in favour of our country and the society. In the Qur’an courses we build in the children the sense of responsibility, of respect and understanding, of tolerance, of respect to the state institutions. Of course, for building one responsible society it is necessary to unite the efforts of the religious and state institution in the country.” The Mayor of the Municipality of Rudozem advised the children and their parents to continue with this deed which they have started, because it is something good which leads them to the right way and stressed that such events will have his support in the future as well. The Deputy Grand Mufti explained the benefits of knowledge which the children gained in this personal, family and social plan and expressed his satisfaction with the fact that this event brought together different people from the society, regardless their religion and ethnicity.
The children received presents from the Grand Mufti Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi, from the Mayor of the Municipality of Rudozem Rumen Pehlivanov, the MP Mustafa Karadaya, from businessmen and the attendees of the celebration. The celebration ended with a lunch for all guests, prepared by the parents of the children.