Zaza Vashakmazde: “Only when we know each other we can avoid conflicts”

Among the meetings held in the framework of his official visit in Bulgaria the Chairman of the State Agency on Religious Affairs of Georgia met with the members of the National Council on Religious Affairs in Bulgaria.
Host of the meeting was the Religious Denominations Directorate at the Council of Ministers. The Georgian guest Zaza Vashakmadze presented the work of the agency and the gained experience in the field of the inter-faith dialogue and the co-existence of the different religions and ethnic groups on the territory of Georgia.
“Only when we know each other we can avoid conflicts” – added Vashakmadze.
During the recent four years the country Georgia has reinstated to the Muslim community in the country about 70 temples, which are opened for worshipping. Furthermore with the support of the government a madrasah (school) is established for studying Islamic sciences. The State Agency on religious Affairs is responsible for informational, consulting, research and educational activities.
Islam is the second religion in a number of followers in Georgia nowadays. After the last census from year 2002 those who are professing the Islamic religion are 9.9% from the total population of the country.
The Deputy Grand Mufti of Bulgaria Birali Myumyun shared the experience of the Muslims in Bulgaria during the holy month of Ramadan – how all together share the iftar, which became a tradition in many settlements regardless of religion and ethnicity.