Islamic religion does not contradict science

“Islamic religion does not contradict science, moreover, Islam has always encouraged searching, science and researches. If we have a look at the history we will see that when the Muslims adhere to science they have always reached to prosperity, and when they leave the science the fall was a fact”, said the Grand Mufti Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi during the opening of a scientific conference on Saturday. The national conference was carried out in the University of Sofia “St. Kliment Ohridski” on the topic “Problems with translations of Islamic literature into Bulgarian language”. The event, organized by the Research Centre (RC) at the High Islamic Institute (HII) with a Head Dr. Arif Abdullah, was attended by Acad. Stefan Vodenicharov, Chairman of BAS, Prof. PhD Tsvetan Teofanov, a Dean of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology at the University of Sofia and generally recognized academicians concerned with the theme of the conference.
“We are followers of a religion the scripture of which, i.e. Qur’an-i Kerim, starts with the commandment “Read!”. Every beginning is difficult but with the permission of the Almighty this beginning is already a fact. I do hope that forums like this and other similar activities will not be rarity”, further said the Grand Mufti. According to him we live in times when Islam is used both from its followers who plead the experience of their ignorance of religion and from people, who use this situation and make earning on the back of this ignorance.
“Maybe for a first time in our times we face challenges to give answers or to try to give answers of questions, which did not exist until today”, said the religious leader. But this according to him, lays in the philosophy of the Islamic religion to find answer in every time and at every place. The scientific researches according to the Grand Mufti are a kind of ijtihad. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “When a person, who makes a research or ijtihad, finds the truth or finds the correct answer, gets two rewards, if he is incorrect, he gets one reward.”
“The way to get to the truth is dialogue. The way to set to the truth is exactly the academic activity” stressed Dr. Hadzhi.

                                                                                               HII establishes as important educational and research centre

“I am glad to present you the welcoming address at the opening of the first research center at the HII in Sofia the historical roots of which are related to the distant year 1922-1923 when in Shumen is opened Secondary school “Nyuvvab” and a decade later a higher one is established at it with curriculums and programs prepared by the experience and the traditions of the famous university in Cairo Al Azharal Islami”, said Acad. Stefan Vodenicharov, Chairman of BAS in his welcoming speech at the conference.
According to him the High Islamic Institute is establishing itself as an important educational and research centre of the Bulgarian Muslims as a place for tolerance and dialogue between the religions in the country.
The Chairman of BAS reminded about the Declaration on tolerance of the denominations and the ethnic groups in Bulgaria, signed on 5th of February, 3013. It contains a call for peace and cooperation, social and economic progress, for respecting the constitutional laws and principles as well as the spiritual traditions of the Bulgarian nation.
According to Acad. Vodenicharov only by effective dialogue, cooperation between all citizens with different ethnic origin, with different denominations, with different ideas and professions, we can be an example for the youth, for their social and cultural development.
“I would like to wish success to the Research Centre at the HII in the mission to give its significant contribution in the educational social field with regard to the challenges in the country especially when it concerns the youth. In connection with this a cooperation is required with all social forces for promoting the common welfare for the prosperity of our homeland”, said the Chairman of BAS.