Cyprus-Forum.com

[Oracle]

The Tekke in Larnaca is not a Turkish monument, it is the burial site of an Arab lady, the prophet's nanny. She died before Turks arrived in the area, sometime in the 7th century aD.

Oh that one! That's ours then! I might visit, next time I am passing, and pay my respects to the lady.

But, the point I was making (somewhat lost) is that the RoC funds an Imam (mostly for the benefit of the TCs) yet the TCs are the first to scream that the Greek Orthodox Church has an unfair influence over government decisions. All the while, the government is paying for Muslim rituals!

[repulsewarrior]

Obviously Ms. O, you are leaping at the chance to castigate. Grace and charity are in our nature; this is not a failing. By whining over a trivial matter, all Cypriots are lessened in the esteem we earned over centuries, if not millenia of goodwill. I love Teke as much as the relics so many call "Greek".

... think again.

[Oracle]

Hello RW. It's been a while -- hope all is well with you.

RW, this is a matter of a secular government paying religious figures taxpayers money. I have no strong feelings on this if it is right and proper under EU laws that such practices occur and I will be only too pleased if that was the case that when they paid for an Imam to carry out a Muslim service they also paid for some Greek and Armenian Orthodox priests, Maronite priests, Yogis etc etc etc to make it all balanced and fair. But, I suspect that most EU countries don't subscribe to paying Holy men in such service-giving capacity. What is more, I wished only for the TCs to appreciate this gesture and next time our Archbishop makes a comment, they do not rush to say he should stay out of politics.

[denizaksulu]

Hello RW. It's been a while -- hope all is well with you.

RW, this is a matter of a secular government paying religious figures taxpayers money. I have no strong feelings on this if it is right and proper under EU laws that such practices occur and I will be only too pleased if that was the case that when they paid for an Imam to carry out a Muslim service they also paid for some Greek and Armenian Orthodox priests, Maronite priests, Yogis etc etc etc to make it all balanced and fair. But, I suspect that most EU countries don't subscribe to paying Holy men in such service-giving capacity. What is more, I wished only for the TCs to appreciate this gesture and next time our Archbishop makes a comment, they do not rush to say he should stay out of politics.

The GO Church in Cyprus is the richest and largest land owner in Cyprus. The Tekke was once maintained by the VAKF - which according to your beloved GR was disposed of 'god only knows when by the Brits. So it falls onto the RoC gov to maintain the place and it is used as I understand it by the vast muslim population of the RoC which includes Arabs, Palestinians even TC's etc.

Stop whining O, or soon you will be having a nervous breakdown (God forbid )

[Gasman]

Plenty of tourists visit the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque. They arrive by the coachload. It is also the destination for the Larnaca Open Top Tour bus from Finicoudes (they do a night time one too to see it lit up).

There is at the moment all sorts of builders rubbish and rubble dumped right outside it and graffiti on the walls of the former Halili Restaurant next to it. So that might cheer Lady O up a bit.

I suggest she moves over to Cyprus for, say, even one year and get out and about and then she might learn a little about 'real' Cyprus - not the Cyprus she knows - her ex pat Brit protectorate in Polis. The Mosque in the town centre is in daily use and used in the evenings too (I think as a sort of community centre/meeting place)

[growuptcs]

She might be avoiding roachcoaches. To each their own.

[Gasman]

How very sad to live in denial of some of the most historic and beautiful places (and the best beaches and scenery) on the island you call 'your native home', not even wanting anyone to mention their names or speak of their existence (for fear it will bring on an apoplexy) lol!

[shahmaran]

Hello RW. It's been a while -- hope all is well with you.

RW, this is a matter of a secular government paying religious figures taxpayers money. I have no strong feelings on this if it is right and proper under EU laws that such practices occur and I will be only too pleased if that was the case that when they paid for an Imam to carry out a Muslim service they also paid for some Greek and Armenian Orthodox priests, Maronite priests, Yogis etc etc etc to make it all balanced and fair. But, I suspect that most EU countries don't subscribe to paying Holy men in such service-giving capacity. What is more, I wished only for the TCs to appreciate this gesture and next time our Archbishop makes a comment, they do not rush to say he should stay out of politics.

Excuse me, did you say "secular government" ?

[Oracle]

Hello RW. It's been a while -- hope all is well with you.

RW, this is a matter of a secular government paying religious figures taxpayers money. I have no strong feelings on this if it is right and proper under EU laws that such practices occur and I will be only too pleased if that was the case that when they paid for an Imam to carry out a Muslim service they also paid for some Greek and Armenian Orthodox priests, Maronite priests, Yogis etc etc etc to make it all balanced and fair. But, I suspect that most EU countries don't subscribe to paying Holy men in such service-giving capacity. What is more, I wished only for the TCs to appreciate this gesture and next time our Archbishop makes a comment, they do not rush to say he should stay out of politics.

Excuse me, did you say "secular government" ?

Precisely, shah! You have grasped the point exactly! Would you have believed the RoC funded a Muslim cleric? Such a thing could be used to besmirch its character! Yet, the magnanimous RoC is willing to compromise itself on behalf of the TCs! Bless!

Paying for your preachers ...

[shahmaran]

I truly do not care about the support of any religious activity, waste of money if you ask me, so I'm glad it is not my tax

I was just confused about you believing that you live under a secular system, when clearly, your first ever president was a religious monkey who dressed like a clown.

How does that make you secular?