Muslims help Christians rebuild church in Bulgaria

Muslims helped both in raising funds and in restoring a Christian church in the small Bulgarian village of Kozlets, and the mayor expressed that this an example of tolerance among those of different faiths.

According to Haskovo.net, the bell tower of the hundred-year old Church of the Archangel Michael was in brink of collapse. Village mayor Kadir Beynur explained that the Christians in the village were worried that it would fall down and crush the roof on top of them. With this, they decided to raise funds, and Christian Today says the Muslims in the community were able to come up with around £800, or more than US$1,100, to restore it.

With the money raised along with the materials donated and labor offered to them, they were able to not only fix the bell tower but also to renovate the interior of the church, change the windows, and fix the fence. The church sexton said that everything was donated, from the tables to the floor mats.

"This is an absolute sign that not only people becoming more strong in faith, but in a village where there are Muslims and Christians, all have played their part, rolled up their sleeves and taken care of their houses of prayer," Beynur said. "Kozlets is a true example of tolerance, especially in these times when it is so important and necessary."

The example set forth by the villagers of Kozlets shows that people of different faiths can live in one area in peace and even help each other. It is a deed much needed amidst the violence happening in the other parts of the globe.

Kozlets is located in Haskovo, a province in the south of Bulgaria that has a rich history, with the first settlement dating back to 5,000 BC. The village currently has 600 residents, about 60 of whom are Christians. The people of different faiths reportedly celebrate each other's holidays there.

The church will re-open on May 1, the date of the Orthodox Easter.