Regional Mufti of Smolyan took part in a European conference in Brussels

An international conference took place on June 26, 2018 in the European Parliament in Brussels. It was held in the framework of the initiative of the European Union for dialogue with the religious institutions and NGOs in Europe. The topic of the conference was “Implementation of the European Social Pillar: The Role of Churches and Religions”.

The forum took place under the auspices of the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani and with the direct commitments and participation of the First Vice-President of the European Parliament Mairead McGuinness. It was attended by representatives of different religious denominations and NGOs in Europe. And the Muslim Denomination in the Republic of Bulgaria was presented by the Regional Mufti of Smolyan Nedzhmi Dabov, who took part in the panel on “Human dignity in work”. The Regional Mufti greeted the organizers and the participants in the conference and forwarded heartfelt regards on behalf of the Grand Mufti of the Republic of Bulgaria Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi.

Nedzhmi Dabov presented in his report the Islamic understanding of human dignity as a part of the essence of the person, which is inviolable and sacred. He said that through his work, with his skills and competence, the person presents himself to the society and in this way contributes to welfare of the family and the society.

By respecting his personal freedom one cannot face the dilemma: to preserve his dignity or to develop professionally despite it.

In the discussion which took place after the presentation of the reports, it was focused also on the role of youth and the engagement of the young people in the European initiatives.

The Vice-President of the European Parliament Mairead McGuinness thanked the participants for their presentations and noted that they all have contributed to the development of the dialogue with the religious institutions and NGOs, which has to continue in the future as well.

The President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani in his turn thanked everyone for their active participation and for the presentation of the views on the so important topics, and said that they have their place and importance in the life of the people, because every religion will contribute to building and development of a better European society. 

The organizers from the European Parliament and all participants united on the understanding that the role of the religious institutions and NGOs in the implementation of the European Social Pillar has to be developed and further upgraded in the future as well.