site.btaPM Zhelyazkov: Bulgaria Serves as Example with Cultural, Religious Diversity

Bulgaria serves as an example with its cultural and religious diversity, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov wrote in his greetings to Muslims on the occasion of Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha), published on the Council of Ministers' Facebook page. "Shared efforts and mutual respect between communities in our country are the basis for stability and development," the Prime Minister wrote.

The holiday is a symbol of faith, responsibility, and care for the other. It carries a message of empathy, generosity, and respect - values that every society needs to be sustainable and compassionate, Zhelyazkov added.

Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha, or Feast of the Sacrifice) is celebrated for four days, during which families meet and take forgiveness. The day heralding the coming of Bayram is called Arafat Day. Then women knead mekitsa, home-made cakes, prepare halva and distribute the food to their neighbours, relatives and friends for the souls of the deceased. On the first day of the holiday, a traditional prayer called Bayram Namaz is said in which only men participate. It is preceded by the customary morning prayer, Sabah Namaz, and the time between the two is filled with the reading of sermons specially prepared for the occasion. A major tradition of the festival is the sacrifice of animals for health, success, and prosperity. Tradition dictates that the wealthy give a portion of the sacrificed animal to relatives and poor families.