The Huzur Lessons as a Factor Reinforcing the Affiliation of the Balkan Muslims with the Ottoman Empire and the Participation of Scholars from Philippopolis (Filibe) in These Lessons

Abstract The Huzur Lessons were imperial sessions devoted to tafsir (Qurʾanic exegesis) held in the presence of the Ottoman sultan during Ramadan from 1759 until 1924. As one of the most prestigious institutions of the Ottoman scholarly hierarchy, they brought together leading scholars of the empire. This study examines the participation of scholars from Philippopolis (Filibe) in the Huzur Lessons and evaluates the role of these sessions in strengthening the affiliation of Balkan Muslim communities with the Ottoman imperial center. Using a prosopographical approach, the study identifies several Filibe-origin scholars who took part in these lessons. The findings suggest that the Huzur Lessons functioned not only as scholarly gatherings but also as a mechanism reinforcing intellectual representation and imperial cohesion.