DECLARATION OF THE MUSLIM DENOMINATION 

On the terrorist act in New Zeeland on March 15, 2019

On behalf of the Muslim community in Bulgaria. Grand Mufti’s Office of the Muslim Denomination in the Republic of Bulgaria strongly condemns the committed terrorist acts towards the mosques in the city of Christchurch, New Zeeland, on March 15, 2019 when more than 50 people died during a Friday prayer. Unacceptable and deeply reprehensibleare the acts of violence against innocent people regardless of religious, ethnic and cultural differences. These brutal acts irreparably damage the human civilization and compromise the desire for peaceful co-existence.

Once again we witnessed a serious crime committed with a hatred and xenophobia. The exaggerated talking on behalf of the politicians for political gain, using hatred language and the open appeals for fragmentation of the society by certain far-right  or far-left organizations over the recent 10 – 15 years already bearing fruit. The media, the public figures and intellectuals, who form the public opinion, have a great responsibility, but unfortunately the failure is in all aspects in terms of humanism and human rights.

Our appeal is mainly to media, to not resort to dissemination, publication or speaking inciting hatred towards religious communities, minorities and to all people in general.

From the manifesto of the terrorist from Christchurch we understand that he is highly influenced by the Balkans and Europe, and we all know that the Balkans are like a powder keg. In connection with this we, who have been living for centuries on these lands, are obliged to preserve the good manners, the common co-existence and the world peace for our children and the future generations. Hatе, hostility, justifying hatred, racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other kinds of hate, based on intolerance and discrimination, build walls between people, foster prejudices and lead to serious consequences. Political and media propaganda, based on hatred and racism, provoke violence against certain people and unfortunately there are always people who are influenced by this. 

The Muslim Denomination offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes quickly recovery of the wounded. We express solidarity and sympathy to all Muslims in New Zeeland and we pray for their strong patience.