In the divisive times we are living in it is more important than ever to unite and support one another, said President Rumen Radev at last night’s official iftar dinner in Sofia marking the beginning of Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims. In his capacity of host of the dinner, he invited the guests to partake of the meal together, “as your ancestors have done as a symbol of our enduring values”.

“At a time when, under the force of weapons, the human side in our nature has been cracking, meetings and examples such as this, based on understanding, become particularly important,” Rumen Radev said, and went on that humility and respect are the virtues which have withstood the test of time and which can help us live in a more peaceful world. “People around the world pray for the same things and it does not matter in what temple they do so or what language they pray in. That is why I believe our common prayer will be heard,” Rumen radev said.

Grand Mufti Mustafa Hadzhi said that Muslims have been living together with the people in Bulgaria for centuries. “In our day we need to support and respect one another even more. Iftar is a way for people, whatever their differences, ethnic or religious, to be together and to find a balance between traditions and personal values,” he added.

The official dinner was attended also by Vice President Iliana Iotova, representatives of the Muslim and of other traditional religious communities in the country, of the diplomatic corps, as well as of culture, education and science