Bulgaria adopts religious denominations act amendments

By Ihvan Radoykov</p> <p>SOFIA, Bulgaria (AA) – The Bulgarian Parliament on Friday adopted an amendment bill on religious denominations that will see an increase in public subsidies for two largest religious communities — Orthodox Christians and Muslims.</p> <p>Under the amendments in the Religious Denominations Act, the Grand Mufti’s Office will receive an annual support of €3 million (around $3.41 million) from the government. </p> <p>Celal Faik, the secretary general of the Grand Mufti`s Office, told Anadolu Agency that: &quot;Our lawmakers have accepted the most 'soft' version of the bill, which has been discussed for about three months.&quot;</p> <p>According to the bill, each follower of different religions identified in the last census held in 2013 will receive €5 (around $5.7) aid per year. </p> <p>Communities with a ratio of less than 1 percent to the general population of Bulgaria will also be supported every year from the state budget.</p> <p>Bulgaria with a total population of 7 million hosts some 1.5 million Muslims.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church — the most followed congregation in the country — will receive annual support of €20 million (around $22.7 million) from the state budget.</p> <p>The law also allows the foreign clergymen to serve in the country.</p> <p>The adopted bill is to be effective on Jan. 1, 2019.