Islamic cultural reading club organizes “Civilization Journey” across the Balkans
The Book Reading Club operating under the İskeçe Mufti Office has completed a cultural and educational tour across the Balkans, exploring the region’s historical, architectural, and spiritual heritage.
The program was organized with the support of Mustafa Trampa, with participation from his spouse Nadire Ömer Trampa, and brought together members of the reading group for a multi-day field study of Balkan civilization.
The itinerary focused on key historical cities across North Macedonia and surrounding regions, highlighting Ottoman-era architecture, shared cultural heritage, and religious landmarks that reflect the region’s layered historical identity.
The journey began at Lake Ohrid, one of the largest and most historically significant lakes in the Balkans, followed by visits to the UNESCO-listed city of Ohrid.
Participants explored major cultural and religious landmarks including Çınar Square, the Old Bazaar, Ali Pasha Mosque, Halveti Tekke, and several Byzantine-era churches such as Saint Sophia, Saint Clement, and Saint Panteleimon, as well as the Samuil Fortress and traditional Ottoman-era residential architecture.
The second stage of the trip included a visit to Tetovo, home to the historic Painted Mosque (Alaca Mosque), widely regarded as one of the most distinctive examples of Ottoman-Balkan architectural synthesis.
The group also visited the Matka Canyon near Skopje, a natural landmark known for its dramatic landscape and hydroelectric reservoir.
In the capital city of Skopje, participants toured sites associated with diverse historical layers, including the birthplace memorial of Mother Teresa, the Stone Bridge, the Old Bazaar, and major Ottoman monuments such as Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Sultan Murad Mosque, Kapan Han, Sulu Han, Kurshumli Han, and the Davud Pasha Baths.
Organizers described the trip as more than a cultural excursion, framing it as an immersive educational experience aimed at strengthening historical awareness, cultural memory, and a shared sense of regional heritage among participants.
The program concluded with reflections from participants who emphasized the importance of preserving collective memory and understanding the multicultural fabric of the Balkans through direct engagement with historical sites.
A cultural and educational “civilization journey” organized by the İskeçe Mufti Office Book Reading Club explored key Ottoman and Byzantine heritage sites across North Macedonia and the Balkans.
