“The Place Where Christians and Muslims Live Best Together”: Iftar in Plovdiv for Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Bulgaria
19 March 2026 News
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nadezhda Neynski, hosted an official iftar dinner for the heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the Republic of Bulgaria on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. The event took place in Plovdiv and was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, official guests, as well as representatives of state institutions and religious communities. Among those present were the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Marin Raykov, Radi Naydenov and Velizar Shalamanov; the Director-General of the Bilateral Relations Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Petko Doykov; the Mayor of Plovdiv, Kostadin Dimitrov; the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Zakia El Midaoui; the Grand Mufti of the Republic of Bulgaria, Dr Mustafa Hadzhi; and the Metropolitan of Plovdiv, His Eminence Nikolai of Plovdiv.
Minister Neynski highlighted the symbolism of Plovdiv as host of the event, describing it as a city of cultural and religious diversity and a vivid testament to the ability of different communities not only to coexist, but also to thrive together in a spirit of understanding and mutual respect. Emphasis was also placed on Plovdiv’s rich historical heritage, as reflected in the venue itself – the house of Hadzhi Aleko Tsvetkov, which is now home to the art restaurant “Philippopolis”.
The Grand Mufti of the Republic of Bulgaria, Dr Mustafa Hadzhi, delivered a festive greeting and prayer in Bulgarian and Arabic and announced the breaking of the fast. He also stated that Plovdiv is not merely an example, but perhaps the place where Muslims and Christians live best together. On behalf of the diplomatic corps, H.E. Zakia El Midaoui also delivered remarks, expressing gratitude for the thoughtful gesture towards Muslims, while His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv underscored the imperative for believers to strive to live in peace, a value shared by both religions.
As part of the programme, the guests also visited the museum exhibition at the “Philippopolis” Art Centre and were introduced to the history of the classical painting tradition in Bulgaria.
More photos
