After more than 70 years, on June 28 (Sunday) this year in Sofia was held the first khatam-celebration – an incomparable feast for the representatives of the Muslim community in the capital city. With the official permission of Sofia Municipality, the celebration took place at “Banski” square behind the central mosque “Banya Bashi” in the capital.

The occasion for it was the first entire reading of the texts of the Holy Qur’an from 17 students in total from the year-round Qur’an course at Regional Mufti’s Office – Sofia with a teacher Fatme Hatip. In the celebration participated also another 22 children from the Qur’an course in Sofia, who presented just a small part of what they have learnt during their training, and enriched the festive program with religious recitals, musical performances, plays, etc.

Official guests of the event, attended by more than 200 people, 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, the Deputy Grand Mufti Birali Birali, as well as the regional muftis of Smolyan, Pazardzhik, Blagoevgrad and Pleven – respectively Nedzhmi Dabov, Abdullah Salih, Aydan Mohamed and Murad Boshnak. The celebration was also attended by the Social Affairs Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Bulgaria Mehmed Genc.

“Such an event takes place in the capital for a first time for several decades, which attaches it an additional contribution and another value. I will not hide that for my team and me such a celebration was a dream from my first day as a mufti! And today, after many years of consecutive work, Alhamdullellah, this celebration is already a fact! The excitement, the emotions and the joy cannot be described by words! Today for us, the Muslim community in the capital, is Eid between the two Eid” – said in his address the Regional Mufti of Sofia and first host of the festive event Mustafa Izbishtali. He wished all the children, who made the khatam, and all who participated in the festive program, to hold fast to the Book of Allah and to be their Guide throughout their life.

“I would like to greet all organizers of the event today and to thank regional Mufti’s Office – Sofia and to the Regional Mufti Mustafa Izbishtali! I would like to greet the teacher Fatme Hatip for making incredible efforts to educate these children. In the Qur’an courses are educated persons, worthy members of the society in which we live!” – said in his official address the spiritual leader of the Muslims in Bulgaria Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi. He greeted also all parents who sent their children to be trained in the Qur’an courses, and called upon all others, who have not yet done this, to follow their example.

At the end of the program on behalf of all parents and students of the year-round Qur’an course in the capital a speech of gratitude and gifts were given to Regional Mufti’s Office – Sofia and the teacher Fatme Hatip, who has already been working tirelessly third year with her more than 50 students at the age between 4 and 15 years old.

“Today we all see that from the seeds which you have sown grew and blossomed with all of their beauty wonderful and colorful flowers, smelling of Islam. When a person puts his heart into the work to which he has dedicated himself, the result cannot be otherwise. On behalf of all parents I would like to express heartfelt gratitude for your devotion…” – Zehra Islyamova, a representative of the parents, said in an emotional address to the teacher Fatme Hatip.

The celebration ended with presenting gifts to all children on behalf of Regional Mufti’s Office – Sofia, the parents and many other donors.

For all guests of the festive event there was lunch and a treat from the hosts.

Author: L. Chausheva