Participants of the “Balkan Scholars Meeting” held in Edirne evaluated the program.
With the support of Edirne Governorship, the meeting held at the Balkan Congress Center at the weekend under the name “Our Own Sky” by the Islamic Scholars Foundation, hosted by Trakya University, in partnership with the Edirne Mimar Sinan Foundation and the Balkan Cities Cooperation Edirne Platform, was attended by North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Grand muftis, muftis and scientists from Herzegovina, Sandzak region, Western Thrace, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Montenegro and Crimea attended.
North Macedonia Tetovo University Lecturer and President of Ensar Association Prof. Dr. Süleyman Baki told the AA correspondent that they attach importance to the fact that a meaningful meeting took place in Edirne, Turkey’s gateway to the Balkans and the border city.
Stating that such meetings should continue, Baki said, “The Balkans are a sensitive region of the Ottoman Empire and today’s Islamic geography. At this point, studies need to be carried out by taking into account the sensitivities of this sensitive geography. On this occasion, I once again thank the Presidency of Religious Affairs, TIKA and all kinds of institutions.” It should be noted that the services of the organization are valuable and I would like to thank the Islamic Scholars Foundation and the International Muslim Scholars Solidarity Association.” he said.
“For us, Turkey is a very big state”
Ferid Piku, President of Minber Research Center, also explained that they attended the meeting with a delegation of 7 people from Albania.
Stating that the Islamic Scholars Foundation is a very important institution for both Turkey, the Islamic world and the Balkans, Piku said, “Turkey is a very great state for us. There are very important doors for the Balkans in Turkey. The Presidency of Religious Affairs and the Islamic Scholars Foundation… We expect the solution to all our problems in the Balkans from Turkey after God. Therefore, I hope the work of this foundation will continue and Turkey’s strengthening and development will continue. We are much stronger with you, but you are also stronger with us. “You are strong.” he said.
Skopje Mufti Kenan Ismaili stated that they discussed issues including how to revive Islamic civilization at the meeting.
Stating that they discussed new activities that can be done together, İsmaili said, “We were together with our former teachers from both the Balkan countries and Turkey. We are very glad that we studied in Turkey, are Turkish graduates, and spent two days with our old teachers. We hope that we will work together with the Islamic Scholars Foundation in both Edirne and Edirne in the future.” “I hope that we will achieve good results by coming together and discussing the issues we need to discuss both in Turkey and in different countries of the Balkans.” he said.
“May God Almighty perpetuate our unity and solidarity”
Prof. from Sarajevo University of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dr. Kazim Hacimeyliç emphasized that the event was important for the exchange of ideas between Balkan scholars.
Pointing out that the meeting where different issues were discussed was a message to the world, Hacimeyliç said, “Scholars come together in this way and introduce themselves and the work they do in the places they live. Our aim is to present the Islamic civilization according to this time, this period, this understanding, these opportunities, this technology, to present it to the public and reflect it to the world.” he said.
Hacimeyliç stated that the scholars in the Balkans turned to Turkey and that they expected some kind of support from Turkey.
Sarajevo Religious Services Counselor Mustafa Güvenç also pointed out that experience was shared between scholars of the Balkan countries at the meeting.
Emphasizing that it is very important for Muslims in the region to be united, Güvenç said, “We will be strong when our unity and solidarity is strong in the Balkan countries, right at the foot of Europe. We will be strong when our unity and solidarity is strong. Such meetings are conducive to this. I thank the organizers. “May God preserve our unity and solidarity.” made his assessment.
Islamic Scholars Foundation Vice President Abdülvahap Ekinci said that the Balkans is a special geography where Turks have been the flag bearers of rights and justice for centuries.
Ekinci stated that, as a foundation, they carried out such a meaningful program thinking that Anatolian scholars, Rumelian and Balkan scholars should be in cooperation and solidarity, and said:
“Thank God, we talked about our common problems. We tried to answer the questions of what kind of contributions we can make to these countries as professors. Thank God, we carried out this program at a very productive and successful point that will achieve its purpose.”
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kara explained that he thought the experiences gained from the meeting would be evaluated in the future.
