Power and authorities of chief muftis based on bilateral agreements between Turkiye and Bulgaria (1909-2021)

The region of contemporary Bulgaria, influenced by its long history under Ottoman rule, remains one of the areas in the Balkans where Turks and Muslims reside. From 1908 to 1945, Bulgaria experienced various forms of governance and witnessed significant wars. Following the Balkan Wars in 1912, World War I ensued, in which Bulgaria inevitably participated and was profoundly affected. The Balkans hold strategic importance for Türkiye and Islamic basin due to their Muslim population and in the context of any relations established with Western Europe. Today, the Balkans are home to 60 million people, with Muslims constituting one-fifth of this population (12 million). Of these, approximately 2.5 million are Turks. This number is significant and has been increasing over time. The Muslim population in the Balkans and Bulgaria conducts various activities through the institution of the grand mufti to systematically manage their religious life. However, these activities have occasionally been restricted for various reasons, leading to challenges for the Muslim community in fulfilling their religious obligations. Particularly under communist regimes, Muslims faced various forms of oppression and persecution. During this period, Muslims residing in Bulgaria were subjected to numerous methods aimed at alienating them from their religion and ethnic identity. Despite this, they continued to strive to preserve their identity and selfhood. This study aims to examine the historical development of the Chief Mufti institution, an important entity for Bulgarian Muslims, and analyze the powers and responsibilities of the grand muftis within the framework of bilateral agreements between Türkiye and Bulgaria. Key Words: Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire, Grand Mufti, Muslims, Religious life.