Prof. Dr. Mustafa Karataş from Turkey participated in a religious program in the city of Shumen

The historical mosque “Sherif Halil Pasha” in the city of Shumen welcomed the famous Turkish theologian Prof. Dr. Mustafa Karataş during his first visit to the city and in the Republic of Bulgaria. The highly-ranking guest from Turkey took part in the evening religious program on October 12 (Saturday), 2019, organized by Regional Mufti’s office – Shumen and Grand Mufti’s Office.

“We held the event on Saturday, after isha prayer, in the mosque “Sherif Halil Pasha”. There was a great interest because many Muslims from our region follow and listen to the participations of Prof. Karataş in the media. The mosque in Shumen was crowded and even could not gather all those who came to listen to the Turkish professor.” – commented for Grandmufti.bg the Regional Mufti of Shumen Mesut Mehmedov.

The religious program with the participation of the prominent Turkish theologian Prof. Karataş was opened by the host Mesut Mehmedov who welcomed all participants and presented the official guests. Greeting speech was also delivered by the Social Affairs Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Sofia Mehmet Genç.

In his lecture to the large audience in the mosque “Sherif Halil Pasha” prof. Mustafa Karataş addressed a wide range of topics – including the life of the Prophet (pbuh), the brotherhood in Islam and what are the qualities which every Muslim should have.

After the end of the religious program the official guests visited Religious School “Nyuvvab” located very close to the mosque, as well as Regional Mufti’s Office – Shumen.

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Karataş was born on March 20, 1961 in Gürün, Vilayet of Sivas in neighboring Turkey. After he completed his secondary education, in 1980 he went in Istanbul where he enrolled as a student in the Faculty of Theology at Marmara University. He completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the Department of Hadithology, and in 1998 he got a doctoral degree in the same university. Two years later, in 2000, he began working as an assistant at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Istanbul. In 2008 he became an Assistant Professor, and from 2013 he is a Professor in the Department on Hadithology at the Faculty of Theology in the University of Istanbul. Currently Prof. Dr. Mustafa Karataş is an advisor at the Presidency on the Religious Affairs “Diyanet” of the Republic of Turkey. He is a presenter of religious TV programs and shows which enjoy a great viewership.

Author: L. Chausheva