A new gateway of Islamic learning from İpsala to the Balkans: New Qur’an memorization school opens
A newly built boarding Qur’an memorization school and conference hall, named Muhammet Altunsoy Hafiz Qur’an School, has officially opened in İpsala, a district of Edirne, Türkiye. The opening ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, President of Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet).
The event gathered numerous dignitaries, including Aykut Ünal, Türkiye’s Consul General in Komotini (Gümülcine); Mustafa Trampa, President of the Advisory Board of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority and Mufti of Xanthi (İskeçe); İbrahim Şerif, Elected Mufti of Komotini; and İsmail Ahmedov, Mufti of Varna, along with many local residents and guests from the region.
In his speech, President Erbaş emphasized that the institution is more than a physical structure; it represents a lasting charitable work (sadaka-i cariye) and a beacon of Islamic knowledge:
“Through this school, young people from the Balkans and across Turkey will receive Qur’anic education, learn, and live by the Qur’an. This project will leave behind a legacy remembered with blessings.”
İpsala: A Gateway Traced in Evliya Çelebi’s Footsteps
Highlighting the historical significance of İpsala, Erbaş referenced Evliya Çelebi’s Seyahatname, noting:
“Evliya Çelebi wrote that Ottoman armies would perform Friday prayers in İpsala before departing on Balkan campaigns. The name ‘İpsala’ is believed to be derived from the phrase ‘iptida sela,’ reflecting its status as the place of the first call to prayer.”
A Meeting Point for Türkiye and the Balkans
Deputy Governor of Edirne and İpsala District Governor Ömer Sevgili, who also spoke at the event, underlined the school’s regional importance:
“İpsala is set to become a cultural and spiritual bridge between Türkiye and the Balkans. This is not just a center for Qur’an memorization, but a multifaceted educational institution offering moral and religious instruction.”
Attendees and Acknowledgements
Other attendees included Presidential Advisor İsrafil Kışlalı, AK Party MP for Edirne Fatma Aksal, Consul General Aykut Ünal, muftis from Western Thrace and Bulgaria, as well as many local residents and guests.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, President Erbaş presented certificates of appreciation to philanthropists Nuri Albayrak, Ekrem Altunsoy, and Mahmut Altunsoy for their generous contributions to the project.
