2022-04-30
Respecting each other's traditions and creeds is our way of life, as evidenced, among others, by the Georgian state's and our Government's efforts to protect the rights, traditions, and culture of the Muslim community, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated at Funicular restaurant while hosting an iftar honoring Georgia's Muslim community.
As the Head of Government pointed out, the authorities, together with the public, appreciates the efforts and selflessness of the Muslim community, being committed for its part to continuing doing everything to strengthen the existing brotherhood and friendship.
"Dear friends, welcome! I wish you all the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan. And I am grateful to you for attending our iftar. We are all proud of our centuries-old brotherhood and friendship, and we are sure to pass this treasure down to our children, future generations. Respecting each other's traditions and creeds is our way of life, as evidenced, among others, by the Georgian state's and our Government's efforts to protect the rights, traditions, and culture of the Muslim community, to strengthen and develop each of you and your families. You are aware that this care by our Government goes back to 2012. In 2014, during my tenure as Prime Minister, we established the State Agency for Religious Issues with one of its key duties being the protection and development of the traditional religions in our richly diverse country. On our decision, the agency's fund is growing by the year, and I pledge to increase it even further. In 2015, we handed over the mufti residence and the madrasa in Batumi to the Muslim community. A few months ago, on my decision, the Muslim community also received a land lot in Tbilisi where the central office of the Administration of the Muslims of Georgia will be built. So far, almost 200 mosques have been handed over, with 28 more to follow soon.
Georgia is our family, our homeland, and you, through your daily labors, are making a tremendous contribution to our country's development, progress, empowerment. Our Government, together with the public, appreciates the efforts and selflessness of the Muslim community, being committed for its part to continuing doing everything to strengthen our brotherhood and friendship.
My brothers, and this is how I would like to address you. Once again, I welcome and thank the Sheikh, muftis, religious leaders, esteemed ambassadors. Once again, I wish you all the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan. I wish you prosperity, health, peace, and happiness. Ramazan Bayramınız," the Prime Minister said.
Representatives of the Muslim community presented the Head of Government with a copy of the Quran published for Muslim soldiers at the initiative of Irakli Garibashvili during his tenure as Defense Minister.
At the iftar honoring Georgia's Muslim community, speeches were also delivered by Chairman of State Agency for Religious Zaza Vashakmadze, Georgia's Mufti Adam Shantadze, Sheikh of the Georgian Muslims Ramin Igidov, and Mufti of East Georgia Etibar Eminov.
The iftar was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps.
Press Service of the Government Administration