Supreme Muslim Council Chairman spoke at international forum about the challenges faced by the Muslim community in Bulgaria

The Economic and Social Researches Center (ESAM) hosted the 26^th congress of the International Union of the Muslim Communities, which took place in Istanbul on November14-15. The congress was held with the participation of over 100 representatives of NGOs and religious organizations, academic institutions and political movements from nearly 50 countries. The congress was held under the title "Global Crises, Islamic World and the West"

At the congress which addressed from different aspects the problems and the challenges faced by the Muslim communities from the United States to Malaysia and from the United Kingdom to Burkina Faso, were presented academic, social, political and economic analysis.

The Chairman of the Supreme Muslim Council Vedat S. Ahmed also was among the participants in the forum. He brought to the attention of the participants the situation of the Muslim community in Bulgaria and its challenges, focusing mainly on the problems but also noting the positive aspects in the process of joining the European Union. Ahmed noted that for the Muslims in Bulgaria very seriously stands the issue related to the preservation of their identity in the context of the integration processes which sometimes become assimilationist. He also highlighted that the Islamophobic acts remain unpunished and gave as an example that the perpetrators of the attack against the Muslims praying in the mosque of Sofia, are not punished so far.

Furthermore he said that currently the Bulgarian Muslims have the opportunity to find more gainful work in the Western countries, as well as more possibilities for religious enlightenment due to the acquaintance with different cultures and practices. This can be seen also in the researches and namely that the Bulgarian Muslims, especially the young people, working in the Western European countries, become more to attached to their religion.