Religious Counseling Skills Course for Muslims Held in Bulgaria
In an important step that reflects the evolving role of Islamic institutions in Bulgaria in addressing social issues, the country’s Islamic community has completed the first course of its specialized religious guidance and counseling program, the Muslimsaroundtheworld website reported.
The course concluded with the graduation of 26 participants after five months of intensive training focused on addressing the psychological and social challenges of the Bulgarian Muslim community.
It aimed to create a new professional path in the religious field by preparing qualified individuals capable of providing humanitarian and psychological support to address issues such as anxiety, depression and addiction, using a combination of Islamic values with a realistic understanding of people’s needs.
The closing ceremony included the awarding of certificates to the participants, which are recognized in the Islamic community and qualify them to play an effective role in religious and social guidance.
Mustafa Haji, Grand Mufti of Bulgaria, emphasized that the knowledge acquired by the participants reflects the values of mercy and humanity in Islam, and emphasized that helping others and making them feel valued is the essence of the message of Islam.
The program began in September 2025 and lasted for five months, during which the participants received intensive and systematic training under the supervision of the Religious Guidance and Counseling Center. The training combined theoretical and practical aspects with a focus on real-life issues in society, thereby increasing the readiness of the learners to manage a variety of situations.
The program focused on developing effective communication skills, understanding psychological and social challenges, and methods of providing support to individuals in times of crisis. It also addressed contemporary issues such as anxiety, depression, hopelessness and addiction, while providing practical guidance tools that help transform religious values into practical solutions and societal stability.
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Meetings with program graduates are scheduled to continue periodically to discuss real-life cases and exchange experiences, and to continuously develop their skills. New courses of the program are also planned to be launched to expand its scope and increase the impact of religious guidance in society.
The program is an important step in the development of religious guidance in Bulgaria, combining a scientific approach with a humanistic dimension and training a generation of trained individuals capable of making a positive and lasting impact on people’s lives.
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