Balkan scholars gather in Edirne, emphasize brotherhood between Islamic World and Balkans
Supported by the Edirne Governorship and hosted by Trakya University, the event was organized by the Islamic Scholars Foundation in collaboration with the Edirne Mimar Sinan Foundation and the Edirne Platform for Cooperation among Balkan Cities. Held under the theme "Our Own Celestial Dome," the meeting took place at the Balkan Congress Center and brought together prominent scholars, muftis, and religious leaders from across the Balkans, including representatives from North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Sandžak region, Western Thrace, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Crimea.
Western Thrace’s Turkish Minority was represented by significant figures such as İbrahim Şerif, Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace and Mufti of Komotini, along with Mustafa Trampa, Mufti of Xanthi. Other Western Thrace representatives included Fehim Ahmet, Deputy Mufti of Komotini; Hüseyin Bostancı, President of the Western Thrace Culture and Education Company; Erol Yaluç, President of the Association of Mosque Religious Officials of Western Thrace; and Cüneyt Sadık, a member religious official.
During his speech, Turkey’s President of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, highlighted the importance of re-evaluating approaches to knowledge and science to renew humanity, describing Islam as a civilization rooted in knowledge and learning. The event hosted 175 scholars from ten countries, reinforcing connections among Balkan Muslim communities and underlining shared cultural and religious heritage.
