Bulgaria’s Kardzhali Marks Formal Opening of Major Mosque
The mosque, whose construction began in 2015, is described by organizers as one of the largest in the Balkans. It opened for worship about three years ago, but its official opening had been postponed.
The event drew local residents as well as Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak, TİKA President Abdullah Eren, Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) President Safi Arpaguş, and Bulgaria’s Chief Mufti Mustafa Hacı Aliş.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Mufti Mustafa Hacı Aliş said mosques play a role in guiding younger people.
He said, “To keep our youth away from harmful habits and to build a healthy society, we need to bring them more into mosques and places that strengthen spirituality.”
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Arpaguş said the Kardzhali Mosque would serve as a gathering point for Islamic values in the Balkans.
He described it as “one of the largest mosques in the Balkans in terms of size, architecture and capacity,” and said it would host many visitors.
Minister Ersoy said the building would function as a cultural and social center for the local Muslim community.
He added that the mosque was also a reflection of cooperation between Turkey and Bulgaria.
Officials then cut a ceremonial ribbon to mark the mosque’s formal opening. The event ended with prayers offered by community members.
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