Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, inaugurates its first Imam Hatip High School
New Imam Hatip High School Opens in Sofia, Bulgaria
The new Imam Hatip High School in Sofia, Bulgaria, opened its doors at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. The school, a combination of religious and secular learning, hosts both the Imam Hatip High School and a Higher Islamic Institute.
The school's opening was attended by Turkey's Ambassador Mehmet Sait Uyanik and Bulgaria's Chief Mufti Mustafa Alis Haci. Ambassador Uyanik encouraged students to excel academically, participate in social and cultural activities, develop hobbies, follow global developments and technology, improve their Turkish and foreign language skills, and take advantage of scholarship opportunities in Turkey for higher education.
The Chief Mufti explained the school's purpose and the condition of the building at the time of acquisition. The building for the Imam Hatip High School and Higher Islamic Institute was restored and modernized with support from the Bulgarian government and Turkish organizations, including the Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı) and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).
Initially, the school will enroll 19 students, with plans for future expansion. Over 716,000 students are enrolled in 2,300 schools across Bulgaria, and the new Imam Hatip High School provides Muslim students in Sofia with an opportunity for a comprehensive education combining religious and secular studies.
The school's opening strengthens educational ties between Bulgaria and Türkiye. The Imam Hatip High School in Sofia joins other longstanding institutions in Bulgaria, including schools in Shumen, Ruse, and Mestanli. The school's opening is a historic step for Bulgaria's Muslim community.
Contrary to other news items, the school does not mention any genocide reports, tourism minister explorations, investment plans, or corruption probes. The specific curriculum details for the school were not provided in the paragraph. However, the school aims to foster academic excellence, cultural development, and international opportunities for its students.
