Gathering at the organization held in Edirne, religious scholars and clergy from North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Western Thrace, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Montenegro, Croatia and Crimea gave a message of unity and brotherhood, emphasizing the unifying role of Türkiye for the Balkans.
Guest clergy who attended the “Balkan Scholars Meeting” organized by the Islamic Scholars Foundation and hosted by the Edirne Governorship over the weekend evaluated the program.
Chief Imam of the Islamic Community of Slovenia, Munzir Efendi Çelenka, said in his statement to the AA correspondent that the scientific and spiritual meeting is extremely valuable for the Balkan countries.
Stating that the meeting strengthened the bonds of brotherhood, Çelenka said, “Our determination to serve our religion and society has been strengthened. We express our deepest gratitude for the hospitality shown to us and the successful organization. We also commemorate the role of the Republic of Turkey with great appreciation for the support it provides to religious and cultural studies in the Balkans.” he said.
“We will be stronger for the Islamic Ummah”
Albania Tirana Pulpit Research Center President Dr. Ferit Beku thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Edirne Governorship and Islamic Scholars Foundation for the organization.
Beku stated that when they came to Türkiye, they felt “as if they came to their father’s house” and said:
“Only Turkey can bring us to the same table, the same table, the same hearth. Edirne is a gate of conquest for the Balkans, and the Balkans is a gate of conquest for Istanbul. For this reason, we are stronger together, we feel safer here.
Türkiye needs to be closer to the Balkans in political, economic and scientific terms. We are stronger when we are united as before. We will be stronger not only for ourselves, but for the entire Islamic Ummah. We thank Türkiye very much.”
Attention was drawn to the problems of Muslims
Vedat Ahmet, President of the Supreme Islamic Council of Bulgarian Muslims, stated that they were pleased to be in neighboring Edirne.
Stating that they took part in an organization held with sincere feelings, Ahmet made the following evaluation:
“It is an organization with wide participation. It brings together people who share the same concerns, especially those who touch on the problems of Muslims in the world, but also in this context, who try to address the problems of Muslims in the Balkans. I believe that from here, our bonds of brotherhood continue stronger, and such meetings will lead to more beautiful and beneficial works over time.”
“May God protect Edirne and our Turkey”
Professor of Islamic Civilization and Philosophy at the North Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Dr. Numan Aruç emphasized that a strong message and philosophy has been conveyed to the Balkans for two years within the scope of the organization.
Stating that the spiritual touch and message are very important for the Balkans, Aruç said, “You hosted us very nicely. May God protect Edirne and our Turkey.” he said.
Chief Imam of the Islamic Union of Kosovo, Vedat Sahiti, stated that they were pleased to participate in the “Balkan Scholars Meeting” and thanked the Edirne Governorship and those who contributed.
“We hope that the meetings will continue to increase”
Üner Karabıyık, Chairman of the Board of Istanbul Family Foundation, said that thanks to the meeting, the determination to fight against threats in the spirit of unity and solidarity with the Balkans was confirmed.
Emphasizing that they clearly see that the threats have now become “sociocultural terrorism”, Karabıyık said:
“We determined that sociocultural terrorism should be fought with the same determination as terrorism is fought. In addition, the delegation revealed in the final declaration that those who committed genocide in Gaza were carrying out extermination projects all over the world. This was very valuable. We hope that these meetings will continue increasingly.”
