Regional Mufti’s Office – Haskovo hosted a program on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the reclaim of the Turkish-Muslim names 

More than 150 guests attended the commemorative program on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the reclaim of the Turkish-Muslim names, which was held with the kind host of Regional Mufti’s Office – Haskovo. The event took place on January 27 (Monday) this year from 11:00 o’clock in the hall of the House of Technologies in the town of Haskovo.

The program was officially opened with a welcoming speech on behalf of the host and Regional Mufti of Haskovo Basri Eminefendi. The participants were also welcomed by the Deputy Consul of the General Consulate of the Republic of Turkey in Plovdiv Gülcan Ökçün, who was among the official guests of the event. The program was also attended by the regional muftis of Plovdiv and Stara Zagora, respectively Taner Veli and Turhan Hasan, as well as by municipal mayors, representatives of the local authorities and mayors of villages in Haskovo region.

The program was held as a scientific panel in which participated three speakers from the country and from the Republic of Turkey. Among them were the Turkish journalist and writer Mehmet Türker, who is a native of the village of Sindeltsi, Momchilgrad region, and is an author of more than 10 books. Türker was imprisoned in Belene and years ago, with the immigration wave, went to live in neighboring Turkey, where he resides today as well. During his presentation in the commemorative program in Haskovo he told about his memories from the repressions and what they experienced during the Revival process and from his stay in the prison.

The poet Bayram Kushku from the village of Boyan Botevo, Haskovo region, participated in the program with presentation of his poetry, dedicated to the events before November 9, 1989. Kushku is one of the prominent cultural and educational figures in Haskovo region. He is the Chairman of the Association for Turkish Culture and Art “May 10”, established about 7 years ago in the village of Karamantsi.

The third speaker during the commemorative event was Gyulgyun Gaygadzhova – vaiz (preacher) at Regional Mufti’s Office – Haskovo, who presented excerpts from her master’s thesis from the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” on the topic “The Revival Process in Gotse Delchev Region. The Balkans between Two Civilizations – Christianity and Islam”, related to the compulsory baptism of the Pomaks in the region of Gotse Delchev.

The program was varied with the participation of children from the year-round Qur’an courses at the mufti’s office in Haskovo, who presented thematic poetry recitals related to the change of the Turkish-Muslim names.

At the end the three speakers Mehmet Türker, Bayram Kushku and Gyulgyun Gaygadzhova received plaques of gratitude on behalf of Regional Mufti’s Office – Haskovo. The program was officially closed with a mutual dua (supplication) to the Exalted Allah.

Author: L. Chausheva