The oldest functioning mosque in Bulgaria was officially opened after a major repair

After nearly two years of repair works on June 15 (Saturday) this year the “Esqi Mosque” in the town of Haskovo was officially opened. The Muslim temple is known as the oldest functioning mosque on the territory of Bulgaria. It has a history of 625 years and is one of the oldest mosques built in our country. Constructed in 1394 according to the Arabic inscription at the entrance, the temple is pointed out in the different sources as the oldest Muslim prayer house on the entire Balkan Peninsula. In 1968 “Esqi Mosque” is declared cultural monument of local importance.

“The opening of the renovated “Esqi Mosque” in Haskovo is ahistorical event of a great importance for our beautiful town” said the host and also a Regional Mufti of Haskovo Basri Eminefendi during the official opening of the temple on Friday. He thanked all guests who attended the event and shared about the excitement of the Muslim community in Haskovo.

Among the official guests of the official opening were the Grand Mufti Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi, the Chairman of the Supreme Muslim Council (SMC) Vedat Ahmed, the regional muftis from the entire country and other representatives of the Muslim Denomination in Bulgaria, as well as representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey and the general consulates of the Republic of Turkey to Bulgaria.

There also were a number of high-ranking foreign guests. Among them was the President of the Presidency on the Religious Affairs “Diyanet” of the Republic of Turkey Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, as well as Muslim clerics from different Balkan countries.

The event was also attended by the Mayor of the Municipality of Haskovo Dobri Belivanov and also by representatives of the local authorities.

“We are glad that the Muslim community in Haskovo already has one repaired temple of faith.” – said in his address to the guests the Mayor Belivanov. – “I wish all Muslims and Christians from the region health, peace and welfare and always to remember the slogan of Haskovo: “Dignity and faith.” – he further added. On behalf of the Municipality of Haskovo Belivanov presented a gift to the Regional Mufti Basri Eminefendi – a crystal engraved with the slogan of the town as a symbol of purity in relations between the different religious communities in the town of Haskovo.

The Grand Mufti Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi noted that the opening of the renovated “Esqi Mosque” is a feast not only for the town of Haskovo but for the entire Muslim community in the Republic of Bulgaria. “This mosque is more than 600 years old. This reminds me that when people were constructing at those times they gave their best – love, affection, justice and this is why these buildings have existed so long time.” – with these words Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi addressed all the guests at the festive event in Haskovo. He emphasized on the fact that Haskovo is an example of good neighborhood and mutual understanding between people of different religions.

The official guest from Turkey Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş also welcomed all participants and presented them special greetings on behalf of the Turkish President Recep Erdogan and added: “Churches, mosques, masjids, synagogues, and monasteries are sacred places where people pray with highest sincerity, they send their supplications to the Almighty and should separate themselves from the worldly disputes.” He also said that the restoration of different religious temples no matter whether Muslim or Christian, is an opportunity for cooperation and mutual help between the different states. Prof. Erbaş urged everyone to work for increasing the examples of the peaceful cultural co-existence passed down through the generations after us.

After the end of the official opening ceremony of the renovated “Esqi Mosque” in Haskovo the Muslims gathered to perform the first prayer in the temple after the repair.

The necessity of the major repair of the “Esqi Mosque” in the town of Haskovo arose when over the recent years it was in increasingly bad condition, at the threshold of ruin. Emergency measured had to be undertaken for its reconstruction and repair. The repair works started began in October, 2017 and for less than two years, at the beginning of 2019 the major repair of the mosque, including renovation of the building, work on the interior with new wood carving, reinforcement and strengthening the construction of the minaret and others was entirely completed. All this was done with the preservation of the original construction of the historical temple without disturbing its historical value.

Author: L. Chausheva