Turkish cemetery in Sofia to be restored

By Ihvan Radaykov

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AA) - The Turkish Embassy in Bulgaria and the grand mufti’s office in the country will launch a joint initiative to restore a historical Turkish cemetery in the capital Sofia.

Turkey's Ambassador in Sofia Aylin Sekizkok and the Grand Mufti of Bulgaria Muslims Mustafa Alis Haci visited the cemetery, also known as "Turkish plot (No. 42),” in the Orlandovtsi district of Sofia.

The “Turkish plot (No. 42)” is part of the central cemetery in Sofia, according to the grand mufti’s office.

Sekizkok and Haci agreed that the cemetery, where Ottoman Sultan Murat V’s daughter Fatma Sultan is also buried, need renovation.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ambassador Sekizkok said that they will speak with the municipality to open a new Muslim cemetery plot in Sofia and that they attach great importance to the Ottoman and Turkish history and cultural heritage in Bulgaria.

“Cemeteries are important cultural treasures that connect us to our past. At the same time, their preservation, maintenance and restoration are very important. We consider this as an important area of cooperation in our relations with Bulgaria,” she said.