The Muslims from the village of Asenovo, Tarnovo region, got their first masjid

The day of October 12, 2019, (Saturday), was very special for the Muslims in the village of Asenovo, Veliko Tarnovo region (Municipality of Strazhitsa). On that day for a first time they officially got a Muslim temple – masjid, which was opened with an official ceremony. Among the official guests of the celebration were the Regional Mufti of Veliko Tarnovo Syuleyman Masurev, representatives of Mayor’s Office – Asenovo and the Municipality of Strazhitsa, as well as nearly 100 Muslims from the village and the surrounding settlements.

“There has never been neither a Muslim Board of Trustees, nor a masjid or a mosque in the village of Asenovo until today. Muslim Board of Trustees – Asenovo was established for a first time on March 19, 2018. During that time were elected Chairman and members of the Board. One of the first decisions then was to make a masjid in the village. And about a year later this project was officially implemented.” – said for Grandmufti.bg the Secretary of Regional Mufti’s Office – Veliko Tarnovo Yashar Mehmed.

According to him an already existing building in the village, about 100 m² was donated by the Municipality of Strazhitsa to the Muslim Board of Trustees – Asenovo in order to be readapted as a masjid. The Mayor’s Office and the Municipality of Strazhitsa took an active part in the funding of this project. The municipality granted an amount from its budget in order to readapt the building and successfully transform it for the religious needs of the local Muslim population.

On the occasion of the opening of the first Muslim temple in the village of Asenovo the Muslims in the village slaughtered qurban. In his greeting address to all guests of the festive ceremony on Saturday the Regional Mufti of Veliko Tarnovo Syuleyman Masurev expressed his hope that in nearest time from Asenovo to be proposed a candidate for the training courses for imams of Grand Mufti’s Office or candidate – students for the religious schools in the country. Since it would be good when there already is a temple for the Muslim acts of worship there also to be a local religious leader – imam.

Author: L. Chausheva