Muslims have joined their Christians fellow residents in the southern Bulgarian city of Kardzhali.

The people of Bulgaria's Kardzhali, which has a large ethnic Turkish and Muslim population, traditionally celebrate together each others' religious holidays.

This year's Easter, however, became special as the Kardzhali mufti Beyhan Ahmed together with members of the board of the local mosque appeared unexpectedly with presents in the local church just as the priests were serving the Easter mass.

"Yesterday we had a special celebration for the birthday of Mohammed. Father Petar (Kardzhali's Bulgarian Orthodox priest) was among the first who greeted us for this wonderful holiday. I also wanted to greet him and all Christians for their wonderful holiday," mufti Bayhan Ahmed said as quoted by BNT.

"He came as a heavenly envoy today. I must admit that I was surprised that the mufti came to the church today because he is new to our city," priest Petar Garena said in turn.

The mufti showed the Orthodox priest how to read correctly part of the Gospel in Turkish. Traditionally, the Kardzhali priest reads the Gospel in all local languages on Easter.  

"Both religions believe in life after death. That's is why we must be moral and good people," the mufti stated.