One of the oldest mosques in Kirkovo region was officially opened after restoration

The mosque in the village of Fotinovo (Municipality of Kirkovo, Kardzhali region), which is one of the oldest ones in the region, was officially opened after restoration. The event on the occasion of the opening of the newly restored temple took place on December 27 (Friday), before the Friday prayer (Jumu'ah).

Official guests of the festive ceremony on the occasion of the opening of the mosque in Fotinovo were the Grand Mufti of the Muslims in the Republic of Bulgaria Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi, the Chairman of the Supreme Muslim Council (SMC) Vedat Ahmed, regional muftis and guests from Grand Mufti’s Office, representatives of the Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey in Plovdiv, also municipal mayors, politicians, guests from the Republic of Turkey and Muslims from the region.

Greeting addresses to the participants were delivered by Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi and Vedat Ahmed. The Grand Mufti delivered khutba (sermon) in which he focused on the blessing of the freedom in which we are living today and the opportunity to perform peacefully our obligations to the Almighty. “That is why we must not abandon the mosques and let us make them the place to perform our acts of worship.” – said Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi.

“Jannah” begins with the letter “Jeem”, “Jahannam” begins with “Jeem”, “jami” (mosque) also begins with the letter “Jeem”. But we have to trust Allah and to visit mosques in order to win the Jannah; if we abandon the mosques and disobey Allah, the result is Jahannam”. – further said the spiritual leader of the Muslims in Bulgaria.

Participation of the cultural and religious program took also hafizes from the city of Bursa in Turkey, who recited Mawlid. Qur’an-i Kerim was also recited.

According to the Regional Mufti of Kardzhali Beyhan Mehmed, the mosque in the village of Fotinovo, Kirkovo region, is one of the few imaret complexes in our country. It was constructed in XVI century and is still one of the central mosques on the territory of Regional Mufti’s Office – Kardzhali, in which every Friday gather about 400 people for the festive Friday prayer. There is a guest room at the Muslim temple, a room for carrying out courses and trainings, as well as rooms for lectures and religious talks. It is foreseen to be constructed also gasilhane (a special place for ritual washing of the deceased). The historical Muslim temple has a large garden and a playground at it.

“The mosque in the village of Fotinovo was restored within 7-8 months. The funds for this were from donations from Grand Mufti’s Office, as well as with the financial support of TİKA from the Republic of Turkey” – further said for Grandmufti.bg the Regional Mufti of Kardzhali Beyhan Mehmed.

Author: L. Chausheva