Grand Muftis of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had an official meeting in the city of Ta‘if

The Grand Mufti of Bulgaria Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi held an official meeting with the Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah al Ash-Sheikh on July 2, Tuesday, 2019. It was also attended by the other representatives of the delegation of the Muslim Denomination Vedat Ahmed – Chairman of the Supreme Muslim Council and the Deputy Grand Mufti Birali Myumyun Birali. Within about a week the representatives of the Muslim community in Bulgaria held a number of official meetings in Medina and Makkah.

The delegation from Bulgaria was welcomed at the meeting with the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia in the city of Ta’if. Despite of his advanced age the 83-year old host expressed his wish to be acquainted in details with the life of the Muslims in Bulgaria. Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi responded to the interest of his colleague by informing him about the structure of the Muslim Denomination in Bulgaria and told about the activities and the work of the institution.

The Grand Mufti of Bulgaria focused also on the good relations of the Muslim community with the other religious communities in the country. The host was informed about the functioning of the National Council on the Religious Communities in Bulgaria which currently is even chaired by the Muslim community in the country.

“In connection with our work with the state institutions we have experience related to certain legislative initiatives of the Bulgarian Parliament, where there has always been sought also the official opinion of the Denomination.” – said the grand Mufti Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi during the meeting. – “This shows that the institution of the Muslims in the Republic of Bulgaria defends the rights and the religious freedoms of the Muslims, according to its possibilities and respecting the state laws.” – further added the leader of the Muslims in Bulgaria.

The representatives of the Muslim Denomination shared that anyway there are some challenges to the community which, compared to those of the past, have their specific and complicated character. But they assured that a solution for them is also being sought.

“Our desire as an institution is to have a stable and sophisticated organization with quality and well-trained staff, working for the training and the education of the Muslims in a religious aspect as well as to make them decent citizens of the state.” – Dr. Hadzhi said within the meeting with his Saudi colleague.

At the end of the meeting the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia sent the Bulgarian delegation with the best wishes for the institution to continue its activity in this direction and not to become despondent before the difficulties. “Because all believing people face difficulties and this is in the basis of our earthly existence.” – said Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah al Ash-Shaeikh. He expressed readiness to provide any kind of support which the Muslim Denomination in Bulgaria needs in connection with the its activities.