Religious scholars from the Balkans hather in Edirne for “Under Our Sky: Meeting of Balkan Scholars II”
Islamic scholars from across the Balkan region convened in Edirne, Türkiye, for the “Under Our Sky: Meeting of Balkan Scholars II” program, organized by the Islamic Scholars Foundation (İslam Alimleri Vakfı).
The gathering, hosted by the Edirne Governorship at a local hotel, began with a recitation from the Qur’an by Yusuf Serenli, imam of the iconic Selimiye Mosque.
A Platform for Brotherhood and Reflection
The event brought together key religious leaders, including Chairman of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board and Mufti of İskeçe Mustafa Trampa, Mufti of Gümülcine İbrahim Şerif, and numerous religious officials from both mufti offices.
In his opening remarks, Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer emphasized that such events serve as a “reunion of hearts and a means of strengthening bonds of brotherhood” among Muslim communities of the region.
Deputy President of Türkiye’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), Dr. Hafiz Osman Şahin, noted that the meeting was an opportunity to reconnect with religious leaders from across the “spiritual geography of the ummah,” particularly in light of the suffering in Gaza.
“We are pleased to host our brothers from the Balkans in Edirne,” Şahin said, expressing his hope for lasting unity and solidarity.
“True Civilization Is Islam”
Prof. Dr. Nasrullah Hacımüftüoğlu, President of the Islamic Scholars Foundation, thanked Governor Sezer for his support, describing him as a “wise leader who values art, science, and scholarship.”
Hacımüftüoğlu reflected on the long history of challenges faced by Muslim societies, linking historical and contemporary injustices.
“From the fall of Andalusia to the Crusades and today’s massacres in Palestine, the struggle between truth and falsehood has persisted. What is being done today under the names of democracy and human rights is not civilization, but barbarism. True civilization is Islam — a faith that declares all humans as brothers and forbids the killing of innocents.”
Symbolic Gifts and Closing
Prof. Dr. Ali al-Qaradaghi, President of the World Union of Muslim Scholars, also addressed the gathering.
At the close of the ceremony, Governor Sezer and Prof. Hacımüftüoğlu presented the visiting scholars and imams with handcrafted wooden plaques decorated with traditional Edirnekari motifs and Selimiye Mosque engravings, symbolizing cultural and spiritual unity between Türkiye and the Balkans.
