Cyprus-Forum.com

[DT.]

http://www.financialmirror.com/News/Bus ... ance/21183

All 17 mosques, with the exception of Omerieh mosque in Nicosia, while are located in the southern government controlled part of Cyprus, will be restored by the end of 2011, according to the Department of Antiquities.

The Republic of Cyprus has spent over three million euro between 1975 (a year after the Turkish invasion of the island) and 2009 to maintain and restore the 17 mosques, which have been declared ancient monuments.

Cyprus’ long history is reflected in its monuments. A significant part of this history relates to coexistence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and it is mirrored in the Moslem monuments, most of which were Christian churches converted into mosques.

The mosque in the village of Episkopi, near the town of Limassol in south west Cyprus, was the Byzantine church of Agios Georgios. Over the restoration work, the upper parget was removed and Christian paintings were uncovered, with vivid colors. Touzla mosque in Larnaka was a Medieval church while Kebir mosque in Limassol was built above the base of a Byzantine church which was discovered during the work on the sewerage system.

The Republic of Cyprus through the Department of Antiquities tries to keep intact the island’s religious heritage, with respect to monuments and holy sites. Seventeen mosques in the southern government controlled areas of Cyprus have been declared Ancient Monuments, which means that the state and the owner – in this case is the Evkaf - jointly undertake the responsibility to restore and maintain the mosques.

After the Turkish invasion in 1974, mosques passed under the control of the Interior Ministry and the Department of Antiquities undertook the restoration and maintenance work under a special budget. The Curator of Antiquities, Marina Solomidou – Ieronymidou and George Philotheou, Archeological Officer A are in charge of the restoration and maintenance of the Monuments, supervise the work and evaluate the progress made on the 17 Moslem mosques, declared Ancient Monuments.

With the exception of Omerieh mosque in Nicosia, restoration work has finished in 13 out of 17 mosques, while in two this work is in the final stages and it is expected to be completed by the end of 2010 and 2011.

Omerieh mosque is being used and a political decision needs to be taken to relocate the faithful to another site and thus allow restoration work to start. Out of the 17 mosques, 11 were originally Byzantine churches converted into mosques after the conquest of Cyprus by the Turks in 1571 and 4 out of 17 are being used as places of worship. These are: Hala Sultan Tekke mosque in Larnaca destrict, Kebir mosque in the town of Larnaka, Kebir Mosque in the town of Limassol and Omerieh mosque in Nicosia.

When the need arises, Turkish Cypriots can also use Bayraktar mosque in Nicosia for religious service. Mosques Kebir in Larnaca and Limassol and Omerieh in Nicosia are being granted for use by the Republic to the Moslem community in the government controlled areas.

Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaca operates under the responsibility of the Cyprus government which pays for its safe-keeping. During the Razaman period, the government pays the Imam to be available for prayer. Restoration work is currently underway in Kebir mosque in Larnaca town but it is also in full operation.

In an interview with CNA, both officers of the Department of Antiquities have highlighted the archaeological and historical significance of the Christian as well as the Moslem monuments.

Between 1975 and 2009 the government spent 3,195.561 euro for the restoration and maintenance of the 17 mosques declared ancient monuments.

The maintenance of Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaca has been carried out through a UN program with American funds in the framework of an agreement for the maintenance of Apostolos Andreas monastery in Turkish occupied Rizokarpazo. Restoration work at the occupied monastery has not progressed.

Peristerona mosque in Morphou will soon been declared ancient monument also according to the criteria of the Antiquities law, Ieronymidou said.

The policy of the Department of Antiquities is to preserve all the historical phases of a monument, Christian, Moslem and others, he added. “The aim is not to eliminate any part of our history, on the contrary, all the phases of the monuments must be visible,” he said.

“It’s an open book. You can see that a mosque was built on top of an old Christian church which may have been located above an ancient tomb. So, someone can read the history of the monument and consequently the history of Cyprus,” he pointed out.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Peace talks are currently underway between President Demetris Christofias and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Dervis Eroglu to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country.

[zan]

On one hand the EU and on the other..................The EU.....O! How di ell did dat appen!!!

[Paphitis]

The RoC should be congratulated! Well done!

[zan]

Sorry! Thought I did...........................................................................................................................................................For the right reasons!!

[Get Real!]

Cyprus govt to restore all mosques in free areas by 2011

While all Churches in the occupied area are trashed! Wise move!

[Paphitis]

Cyprus govt to restore all mosques in free areas by 2011

While all Churches in the occupied area are trashed! Wise move!

It's just another reminder of what we are dealing with!

We can't stoop to their level! We are far batter than them!

[Get Real!]

Cyprus govt to restore all mosques in free areas by 2011

While all Churches in the occupied area are trashed! Wise move!

Maybe that's what Bananiot means when he talks about Turkey being two steps ahead of Cyprus... one is destroying the other's culture while the other is helping them preserve it!

[zan]

Cyprus govt to restore all mosques in free areas by 2011

While all Churches in the occupied area are trashed! Wise move!

It's just another reminder of what we are dealing with!

We can't stoop to their level! We are far batter than them!

Careful sonny......The burning embers of over 300 TC villages will blacken your teary eyes!!!

[Paphitis]

Cyprus govt to restore all mosques in free areas by 2011

While all Churches in the occupied area are trashed! Wise move!

Maybe that's what Bananiot means when he talks about Turkey being two steps ahead of Cyprus... one is destroying the other's culture while the other is helping them preserve it!

On a humanitarian level, we are miles ahead of them. The above proves this!

[zan]

Cyprus govt to restore all mosques in free areas by 2011

While all Churches in the occupied area are trashed! Wise move!

Maybe that's what Bananiot means when he talks about Turkey being two steps ahead of Cyprus... one is destroying the other's culture while the other is helping them preserve it!

On a humanitarian level, we are miles ahead of them. The above proves this!

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