site.btaPatriarch Daniil Receives Grand Mufti Mustafa Hadzhi

The Head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC), Patriarch Daniil, Tuesday received the Grand Mufti, Mustafa Hadzhi  at the Synodal Palace, the Bulgarian Patriarchate said on its website.

The meeting was attended by Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Secretary General of the Holy Synod, Deputy Grand Muftis Ahmed Hasanov, Beyhan Mehmed and Murat Pingov, the Grand Mufti's Secretary General, Dzhelal Faik, and Assоc Prof Maria Kyoseva, legal advisor to the Holy Synod.

The sides stressed the good relationship between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Grand Mufti's Office. Cooperation on socially significant matters affecting both Christians and Muslims in the country was on the agenda.

The sides concurred that religion should be introduced as a subject in the regular curriculum of Bulgarian schools because it will contribute to the spiritual climate in Bulgaria and improve young people's knowledge of their faith.

Patriarch Daniil and Grand Mufti Mustafa Hadji also discussed the challenges facing society, the risks to the physical and spiritual well-being of children, the fight against addictions and the prevention efforts in which the country's traditional religions can play a role, the Bulgarian Patriarchate said.