For fifth consecutive year “Coffee of Tolerance” brought together representatives of different ethnicities and religions in Plovdiv

For fifth consecutive year Regional Mufti’s Office – Plovdiv organized and held the initiative “Coffee of Tolerance”. This year it was held on February 15 (Friday) in the city under the hills and was attended by a number of official guests.

Among them were the Grand Mufti of the Muslims in the Republic of Bulgaria Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi, the Mayor of the city of Plovdiv Ivan Totev and other representatives of the Municipality of Plovdiv. The traditionally held every year in February event was also attended by representatives of the Consulate of the Republic of Turkey in Plovdiv and by leaders of several different ethno-religious foundations and associations.

They all had a cup of Turkish coffee before the festive for the Muslims Friday prayer and again talk about the importance of tolerance and the significance of the intercultural dialogue.

“It is very gratifying that, that the citizens of Plovdiv have managed to turn one unfortunate event which happened five years ago into an act of respect, love, brotherhood and tolerance, in which are presented all cultures and religions in the city. This is a good example for the entire world where can be seen great tragedies due to the lack of respect and tolerance” – wrote the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Bulgaria Dr. Hasan Ulusoy in a greeting address to the hosts of the initiative of the tolerance.

The story of the initiative “Coffee of Tolerance” is related to the committed on February 14, 2014 vandal attack towards “Dzhumaya mosque” in Plovdiv. After this case the management of Regional Mufti’s Office – Plovdiv decided every year to mark the anniversary of this incident, by organizing “Coffee of Tolerance” -  an initiative which aims to bring closer and to unite the different, and not to separate and divide them.

Author: L. Chausheva