Charity bazaar for children from the Qur’an course in the village of Zvezdel

12^th of September, Tuesday. I`m walking along the streets of Momchilgrad and I wonder “Why have so many people gathered at one place?” while approaching the library club “New life” where the final round of the 11^th National Competition in Basic Knowledge in Islam is held. I’m coming closer and closer and I’m listening to the voices… With every step I understand something new about the town and the people. I understand that today in Momchilgrad is a market day and this is the reason for the crowded streets. But in front of the library club there also are many people.

I noticed a group of people, gathered around one table where they were looking at the exposed prayer beads, headscarves, books, hats… After that I saw Sevinch hodzha and Ibrahim hodzha who were explaining something to the people gathered round the table.

“We have organized a charity bazaar for the children from the Qur’an course in the village of Zvezdel”, said Sevinch hodzha. Anyway, they will travel for the competition in Momchilgad, why not to put some books in the car? While the children compete they will organize bazaar and the raised money will be spent for the needs of the children from the Qur’an course in the village of Zvezdel.

“Our main aim is to meet people with the book. If they have any questions related to religion we try to answer them too. I.e., we try to build a bridge between people and the book, the Creator, between people and good…” tells Ibrahim hodzha.

In order to reach those who do not go to mosque and bookstores they organize such charity bazaars. That is why they choose books with simple for the people language, books which will be useful to them. And in order the people to be able to buy them they lower prices as much as possible.

There are different books at the bazar, both in Turkish and in Bulgarian. Special efforts are made to make the books of the Grand Mufti's Office popular among the population.

To the question: “What books are looked for most of all?” Sevinch hodzha answers: “Those who work in the Muslim Denomination, generally look for books on religious thematic, and the other people look for books with supplications and Qur’an. For the young people we recommend books for personal development and books such as “How to be a modern young Muslim”.

At the same time, they promote also the social activities of the Denomination. For example along with the books, they have taken from the postcards printed for the campaign in support of orphans. “In this way the charity bazar is as a bridge between people and the Denomination” commented Sevinch hodzha.