Children of different religions took part in international camp of tolerance in Stara Zagora

5-day children’s international camp entitled “BRIDGE-Inter-Cultures” took place in Stara Zagora within the period July 16 – 20 this year. The camp was organized by the Bridges - Eastern European Forum for Dialogue with the assistance of the Municipality of Stara Zagora. This is its third consecutive edition but for a first time this year the initiative had an international character.

18 children in total at the age from 13 to 16 years from Bulgaria and the Netherlands – representatives of several different religions, took part in the international children’s camp. 7 of them were representatives of Islam – 3 from Belitsa, 1 from the village of Razhena, Kazanlak region, and 3 from the Netherlands. The other participants were Orthodox Christians, Catholics and Armenians. They all were accommodated in the International Youth Center – Stara Zagora.

“Our aim is to focus on building bridges, on co-existence in harmony, understanding and tolerance; to realize that we all have a lot in common and that together we can build a better society, free of stereotypes, prejudices and violence” shared for the official website of the Muslim Denomination the Chairperson of the Bridges - Eastern European Forum for Dialogue Angelina Vladikova.

          Within the 5-day camp of tolerance in Stara Zagora the children had the opportunity to visit different religious temples and to get to know with the representatives of the different religions.

Besides with priests and religious people from the other religions the group also met the representative of the Muslim community and a Regional Mufti of Stara Zagora Turhan Hasan.

“The children visited “Eski mosque” in Stara Zagora where within our one-hour meeting I told them about Islam, about the basics of the Islamic religion. Then they had the opportunity to ask their questions” – shared for Grandmufti.bg the Regional Mufti of Stara Zagora Turhan Hasan. Before leaving all children from the international group received gifts on behalf of Grand Mufti’s Office and Regional Mufti’s Office – Stara Zagora, and took a keepsake photo.

         With regard to the visit to “Eski mosque” Angelina Vladikova from the team of the organizers shared: “We are grateful to the Regional Mufti of Stara Zagora Turhan Hasan for his participation in the program and for his hospitality. He welcomes the children for third consecutive year in “Eski mosque” – one unique in its kind “Museum of religions” not only for Stara Zagora, but also for entire Bulgaria.

The children’s BRIDGE-Inter-Cultures Camp will take place into two stages and the second stage is scheduled for July 27 – 31 this year –  a return visit in the Hague, the Netherlands, where the group pf the 12 children from Bulgaria will be welcomed by the hosts from the NGO United Religions Initiatives.

Author: L. Chausheva

Photos: Bridges - Eastern European Forum for Dialogue