Secretary General Dzhelal Faik attended UN two-day workshop in Geneva 

The Secretary General of the Muslim Denomination Dzhelal Faik attended a two-day working meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. It took place within the 40^th UN Session on Human Rights, Freedom of Religion or Belief.

On March 5 (Tuesday) took place a meeting with Ahmed Shaheed – UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.

“Freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression are closely interrelated and mutually reinforcing rights when exercised within the legal framework established by international human rights law. Consequently, where we observe abuses of one right, we are likely to see the stage being set for abuses of the other,”the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief said during the event. Within the meeting held with him the Secretary General of the Muslim Denomination Dzhelal Faik presented a report on the situation of the Muslim community in the Republic of Bulgaria.

Ahmed Shaheed (left) and Dzhelal Faik

During his visit to Geneva the representative of Grand Mufti’s Office of the Muslims in the Republic of Bulgaria Dzhelal Faik held a meeting also with Dennis de Jong – Vice Chairman in the European Parliament. Faik took the opportunity in order to raise the question for the increasing trend in spreading serious and worrying anti-Islamic manifestations on the territory of entire Europe.

Dzhelal Faik (left) with Dennis de Jong (right)

During the held 40^th session of the UN on human rights, freedom of religion or beliefs Dzhelal Faik took part also in the panel focused on the situation of the deprived community of the Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China. It was organized by European and international NGOs and was held under the leadership of EMISCO. 

On this occasion Ahmed Shaheed said to Reuters that he has requested a visit to China, because the question about what is happening in the discussed region of China is a priority for him. – “There is a reason to be seriously concerned about the reports coming from the region of Xinjiang” – further said the rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed. The expert made an earnest appeal to the states to share mutually their efforts for protection of the freedom of expression, of freedom of religion or belief.

During the panel on what is happening with Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China