Cyprus-Forum.com

[joe]

Sad return to vandalised monastery in north

THE 200 Armenians returning to a Mediaeval monastery in the occupied areas were confronted with the building’s tragic decay.
The walls of the Monastery of Sourp Magar echoed with prayer for the first time in the 33 years since the Turkish invasion.
The pilgrims, most of whom used to spend holidays at the monastery prior to the invasion, travelled in a convoy of five buses and were escorted by the UN and Turkish Cypriot ‘police.’
On arrival, the visitors’ enthusiasm was dampened by the condition of the church. Prospective developers had also destroyed all of the holy building’s inscriptions as part of plans to turn the monastery into a casino.
The site had also been looted and is in danger, some of the pilgrims said, of collapsing completely with the next few years.
Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian led those present in a prayer of grace, Hayr Mer, in Armenian, while some of the pilgrims had brought candles with them to mark the holy day of the monastery's patron saint.
Saint Magar was a Coptic recluse who, in the 12th century, lived in the caves below where the monastery stands today.
"I held a service and performed my last christening here in 1973," said Hergelian, who had travelled in civilian clothes so as not to incite any reaction from Islamists or Turkish nationalists living in nearby villages.
"It is in a tragic condition," he said, adding that the baptisterium had been totally defaced since his last visit to the monastery three years earlier.
Although the monastery dates back to 1642, it is highly unlikely that any renovation work will be possible any time soon.
For work to take place, the UN would have to ask the occupation regime for permission, as the monastery and its surrounding land lies within a military zone and near a Turkish army camp in the Kyrenia mountain range.
"We only managed to halt the plans for development by the intervention of the Vatican," said the Armenian deputy in the House of Representatives, Vartkes Mahdessian, who organised the trip.
Previous members of the Cypriot parliament had sought the intervention of the Council of Europe when Turkish Cypriot developers allegedly won the privatisation licence for the land and announced plans to turn it into a casino, hotel and leisure venue.
"I will try to organise a similar pilgrimage next year as well, as we must remind ourselves of our heritage before the older generations start to disappear”, Mahdessian said.

From the Cyprus Weekly

[Nikephoros]

In Islamic jurisprudence the only way conquered non-muslims can have churches or synagogues is if the area was surrendered to the muslim army. Before any invasion a muslim commander is supposed to give the option to accept the divine rule of Islam and be allowed to keep their Churches. If not they are destroyed or converted to a mosque.

More of the world needs to know the disgusting face of Islam. Unfortunately the "Islam is peace" chants are too loud at present. I am sure more extended contact with Turks will change the chants to "islam is war".

[denizaksulu]

Yes Joe.
I agree with you that the wanton destruction and looting of any building especially churches , monasteries and mosques is inexcusable. This year I passed by the said monastery and turned my head away in shame. It is sick. I'd like to think that it would have been done by the "ignorant" rather than as a policy. I am sure you will agree with me that both sides 'authorities should condemn these actions, albeit too late. I know that under the auspices of the UN / Unesco? some repairs have been carried out North and south, but it should never have happened.
Selam / Peace

[bigOz]

Sad return to vandalised monastery in north

THE 200 Armenians returning to a Mediaeval monastery in the occupied areas were confronted with the building’s tragic decay.
The walls of the Monastery of Sourp Magar echoed with prayer for the first time in the 33 years since the Turkish invasion.
The pilgrims, most of whom used to spend holidays at the monastery prior to the invasion, travelled in a convoy of five buses and were escorted by the UN and Turkish Cypriot ‘police.’
On arrival, the visitors’ enthusiasm was dampened by the condition of the church. Prospective developers had also destroyed all of the holy building’s inscriptions as part of plans to turn the monastery into a casino.
The site had also been looted and is in danger, some of the pilgrims said, of collapsing completely with the next few years.
Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian led those present in a prayer of grace, Hayr Mer, in Armenian, while some of the pilgrims had brought candles with them to mark the holy day of the monastery's patron saint.
Saint Magar was a Coptic recluse who, in the 12th century, lived in the caves below where the monastery stands today.
"I held a service and performed my last christening here in 1973," said Hergelian, who had travelled in civilian clothes so as not to incite any reaction from Islamists or Turkish nationalists living in nearby villages.
"It is in a tragic condition," he said, adding that the baptisterium had been totally defaced since his last visit to the monastery three years earlier.
Although the monastery dates back to 1642, it is highly unlikely that any renovation work will be possible any time soon.
For work to take place, the UN would have to ask the occupation regime for permission, as the monastery and its surrounding land lies within a military zone and near a Turkish army camp in the Kyrenia mountain range.
"We only managed to halt the plans for development by the intervention of the Vatican," said the Armenian deputy in the House of Representatives, Vartkes Mahdessian, who organised the trip.
Previous members of the Cypriot parliament had sought the intervention of the Council of Europe when Turkish Cypriot developers allegedly won the privatisation licence for the land and announced plans to turn it into a casino, hotel and leisure venue.
"I will try to organise a similar pilgrimage next year as well, as we must remind ourselves of our heritage before the older generations start to disappear”, Mahdessian said.

From the Cyprus Weekly

Although you have my sympathy - I wonder how many mosques you are aware of in the South - the minrets of which were blown! At least the buildings in your case are still standing!

As for someone who is not too keen on religion and knowing what both Armenian and Greek Orthodox churches preach (hatred for anything that is related to a Turk or Muslim) I am aginst any development investment to turn them into houses of prayer! They should be renovated and maintained as museum pieces or works of art as part of Cyprus' history and culture...

[joe]

Although you have my sympathy - I wonder how many mosques you are aware of in the South - the minrets of which were blown! At least the buildings in your case are still standing!

I live in the South and I have not heard of one instance of a mosque being blown—that would definitely made the front pages here in all reputable news organizations. Although, I am not old enough to know if it happened during the intercommunal fighting. Doing a brief google search…two minutes max, using the following keay search “churches mosques destroyed Cyprus” I came across three articles posted by:

1) Turkish Cypriot Afrika News site
2)The UK Times News site
3) The Italian chiesa news site

The Turkish Cypriot newspaper criticized the destruction and desecration of churches in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus and wondered how the T/C would react if the Greek Cypriots destroyed mosques in the Government-held areas of the Republic.

The UK Times said: The church Bible had been used as toilet paper and the wall paintings gashed and disfigured. The icons had vanished. From the state of the place it was clear that this was not a single act of violation. The place obviously had been a public convenience for months. ... On the Greek side all the mosques I have seen are securely locked and protected

Chiesa:
Huseyn Ozel, a government spokesman for the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, displays great cordiality with the foreign journalist. The destroyed and sacked churches? “There was a war, and bad things happened on both sides,” he explains.

I point out to him that most of the mosques in Greek Cypriot territory have been restored, while his government has authorized the transformation of churches into restaurants and hotels, an insult to the sentiment of believers.
“They did this to keep the buildings from falling into ruin, and anyway, these are decisions made by the preceding government, which I do not share,” Ozel counters.

I insist: what do you have to say about the churches that, still today, are being turned into mosques? The Turkish Cypriot functionary spreads his arms wide: “It is an Ottoman custom...”

While you will probably do a google search your self and may find a particular case on vandalization or something posted on some Go Go Turkey website, i will use these sites that i mentioned and from my own experience of actually living in the South to say what you are saying above is completely false. I simply would like to point out that millions of tourists visit this island every single year and they clearly see the mosques standing or being restored--it is visible just by looking at them. And with this comment, i will let you have the last say--its still sunny outside so i will going out to enjoy the beautiful weather.

[Peterc]

Ive got to tell you, I very seldom get involved in the politics of the Island as youll see from previous posts, but i can confirm that i dont remember ever seeing a vandalised mosque/minaret in Cyprus.

[Natty]

Ive got to tell you, I very seldom get involved in the politics of the Island as youll see from previous posts, but i can confirm that i dont remember ever seeing a vandalised mosque/minaret in Cyprus.

It's true, neither do I...

The two main mosques in the area that I stay (Larnaca) are still standing in pretty good condition and I think also in use...I've visited them both...(Very beautiful..)..

[Viewpoint]

Although you have my sympathy - I wonder how many mosques you are aware of in the South - the minrets of which were blown! At least the buildings in your case are still standing!

I live in the South and I have not heard of one instance of a mosque being blown—that would definitely made the front pages here in all reputable news organizations. Although, I am not old enough to know if it happened during the intercommunal fighting. Doing a brief google search…two minutes max, using the following keay search “churches mosques destroyed Cyprus” I came across three articles posted by:

1) Turkish Cypriot Afrika News site
2)The UK Times News site
3) The Italian chiesa news site

The Turkish Cypriot newspaper criticized the destruction and desecration of churches in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus and wondered how the T/C would react if the Greek Cypriots destroyed mosques in the Government-held areas of the Republic.

The UK Times said: The church Bible had been used as toilet paper and the wall paintings gashed and disfigured. The icons had vanished. From the state of the place it was clear that this was not a single act of violation. The place obviously had been a public convenience for months. ... On the Greek side all the mosques I have seen are securely locked and protected

Chiesa:
Huseyn Ozel, a government spokesman for the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, displays great cordiality with the foreign journalist. The destroyed and sacked churches? “There was a war, and bad things happened on both sides,” he explains.

I point out to him that most of the mosques in Greek Cypriot territory have been restored, while his government has authorized the transformation of churches into restaurants and hotels, an insult to the sentiment of believers.
“They did this to keep the buildings from falling into ruin, and anyway, these are decisions made by the preceding government, which I do not share,” Ozel counters.

I insist: what do you have to say about the churches that, still today, are being turned into mosques? The Turkish Cypriot functionary spreads his arms wide: “It is an Ottoman custom...”

While you will probably do a google search your self and may find a particular case on vandalization or something posted on some Go Go Turkey website, i will use these sites that i mentioned and from my own experience of actually living in the South to say what you are saying above is completely false. I simply would like to point out that millions of tourists visit this island every single year and they clearly see the mosques standing or being restored--it is visible just by looking at them. And with this comment, i will let you have the last say--its still sunny outside so i will going out to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Ask miltiades for details of villages where the mosques have been vandalized or raised to the ground not as innocent as you wish to make out.

[Peterc]

viewpoint, i take acception to your comment "not as innocent as you wish to make out." i merely said that i have never seen a vandalised mosque/minaret in Cyprus, please dont get me involved in your politics.

[Kikapu]

Although you have my sympathy - I wonder how many mosques you are aware of in the South - the minrets of which were blown! At least the buildings in your case are still standing!

...

My two weeks in the RoC and 1558 Kilometers of driving to all over, never saw any mosque that had it's minarets blown, because there were no missing minarets !. Some mosques were simply closed off or were under some repairs.

I'm not saying it did not happen, I just did not see any.