42 children celebrated their first entire reading of the Qur’an in Rudozem

Several thousand people gathered in front of the central mosque of the town of Rudozem where on August 25 (Sunday), 2019, 42 children from the municipality presented a religious and cultural program during a specially organized hatim-celebration. The occasion for this kind of celebration was their first entire reading of the Holy Qur’an.

During the official program the children prepared by the teachers Vahdi Delihusev, Nihat Ademov and Myumine Sherifova recited verses from the Holy Qur’an in Arabic and their meaning in Bulgarian language, performed instructive songs and poems, with which reminded the participants about the Islamic virtues and values. The hatim-celebration was held at the initiative of the parents of the children and took place with the assistance of the Muslim Board of Trustees – town of Rudozem.

The program ended with a supplication (dua) for guidance and welfare for entire Bulgaria, made by the children.

Official guests of the celebration were the Grand Mufti of the Reoublic of Bulgaria Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi, the Regional Mufti of Smolyan Nedzhmi Dabov, the Regional Mufti of Pazardzhik Abdullah Salih, the Mayor of the Municipality of Rudozem Rumen Pehlivanov and his deputy Nedko Kulevski, as well as other representatives of the municipal administration in Rudozem. There were also the MPs Hayri Sadakov and Dr. Daniela Daritkova, the Regional Governor of Smolyan region Nedko Slavov as well as the Mayor of the Municipality of Madan Fahri Molaysenov. The celebration was also attended by the Director of Religious School – Momchilgrad Ahmed Bozov, chairmen of Muslim boards of trustees, imams, public figures and also guests from neighboring Greece.

In his greeting address the Regional Mufti of Smolyan Nedzhmi Dabov greeted the teachers, the parents and the children for the efforts and the patience, which they showed while training and educating the children in accordance with the Islamic values.

“Each one of us has as a mission to contribute to the welfare of the society and our country. Society and institutions have to support the future of our children and it is important that the principles of Islam are laid in their hearts and give a reflection in their deeds and behavior.” – the Regional Mufti of Smolyan said in his greeting address.

The Mayor of the Municipality of Rudozem wished the children this day to be the beginning of their way, to continue in this direction because this way will bring them only benefits – both for them and for their families:

“In order to have a strong society we have to possess values; thus it is important along with the school education and the education at home to teach and to develop also the religious values which are increasingly missing. Only in this way we will have a guarantee for a secure society.” – said Rumen Pehlivanov. The Mayor of the town also assured that such initiatives have always been supported and will continue to be supported by the Municipality of Rudozem.

The Grand Mufti Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi greeted the children, their parents and their teachers and addressed all participants with an instruction to emphasize on the religious education of the children, because children who are not educated in the religious values, risk to fall in the trap of violence, immorality and all other vices of our time, without caring about others.

“We are living in troubled time, when the absence of religiosity gives its negative impact. And history has shown us that society without religion cannot exist, because the world does not consist only of the material things.” – with these words the Grand Mufti addressed the thousands of guests at the event and said that only when the younger generation is educated in religious values and follows them, then the society can hope for good future and prosperity.

At the end of the program the Grand Mufti Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi gave the children gifts from Regional Mufti’s Office – Smolyan and from the Mayor of the Municipality of Rudozem Rumen pehlivanov. The attendees also made donations in the specially placed for the children donation boxes.

The celebration ended with a lunch for all guests and participants, provided by the parents of the 42 children who completed their first entire reading of the Holy Qur’an.