Bulgaria cleric slams Israeli attack on Anadolu Agency

By Ihvan Radoykov

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AA) - Top Muslim cleric of Bulgaria on Thursday condemned Israeli airstrikes that hit Anadolu Agency’s office in the Gaza Strip last Saturday.

Mustafa Alis Haji, head mufti of Bulgaria’s Muslim community, said Anadolu Agency along with other global media organizations have the right to report about the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Interacting with media at an event coinciding the iftar --the breaking of the fast at sunset during the month of Ramadan -- Haji stressed that the world media has right to report freely to reflect the events in Gaza.

“We certainly do not accept such kind of attacks and we will stand against them, as best as we can,” the top cleric said.

On Saturday, Israeli warplanes hit the building housing the office of Anadolu Agency in Gaza, with at least 5 rockets following warning shots. No casualties were reported, but the building was razed to ground.

Founded in 1920, Anadolu Agency currently produces news in 13 languages and serves to 6,000 subscribers in 93 countries. The Agency employs at least 3,000 people, stationed in 100 countries.

On a daily basis, Anadolu Agency on an average publishes 1,600 stories, 2,300 photos, six infographics, and 400 videos, and airs 15 live broadcasts.

* Writing by Zehra Nur Duz