Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer said that the Edirne Religious Specialization Center within the Religious Academy will also provide services to Muslims in the Balkans.
In his speech at the Religious Academy Candidate Clergy Graduation Ceremony held at the Mimar Kemaleddin Hall of the Public Education Center, Sezer stated that Edirne is a special city with magnificent memories of spirituality and history in every avenue and street.
Stating that the spiritual dynamics of the city are still visible, Sezer said, “Every time we visit the Old Mosque, Hasan Sezai Hazrat, Darülhadis Mosque, go to Muradiye Mosque and look at the palace from there, and visit the great people lying in the courtyard of Muradiye, we feel in our hearts that this city still stands on a greater spiritual dynamic.” he said.
Sezer stated that the Presidency of Religious Affairs has provided a very important service in Edirne with the Religious Academy.
Stating that the academy will also appeal to the Balkans, Sezer said:
“We consider Edirne to be the capital of the Balkans. It is a great and very valuable service for our city and for keeping the covenant that they have started to serve here again in a way that will appeal to the Balkans. Our intention here and the purpose of opening this place is to appeal to the Balkans. Our teachers from Türkiye are also on top of our heads, but the place where this place will serve is the Balkans. Our imams, muftis and religious officials who will come from the Balkans are a very good service.” “It will be much better for us to provide in-service training here in terms of service to our Muslim brothers and sisters there.”
Vice President of Religious Affairs Hatice Boynukalın Şenkardeşler also stated that the messages of religious officials must directly reach the conscience and life practice of the community.
Emphasizing that the place where the knowledge gained at the academy will be embodied is not only the altar and the pulpit, Şenkardeşler said, “When you get off the podium and mix with the public, you will show with your moral seriousness and spiritual stance how much you can internalize the knowledge you have acquired. The important thing is not what you know, but how you represent that knowledge in the eyes of the public. Our people, and especially your community, will read your sincerity and lifestyle before your words.” he said.
Tevfik İşçen, Director of Edirne Religious Specialization Center, also stated that they are excited and proud to have their first graduates in Edirne.
Stating that the center started training on April 14, 2025, İşçen stated that at the end of the 8-month training, 45 hafiz trainees were qualified to become candidate religious officials.
The program, in which Emrullah Gülmez made a speech on behalf of the graduates, ended with the singing of hymns and the presentation of certificates to the graduates.
Edirne Mufti Ercan Aksu, representatives of public and non-governmental organizations and the families of the graduates attended the ceremony.
