By Charlie Charalambous
THE GOVERNMENT has requested one million euros (CY£580,000) from the European Union to help repair and maintain the Hala Sultan Tekke and other Turkish Cypriot holy sites.
The appeal comes on the back of a pledge to do more to protect Muslim heritage sites in the wake of an arson attack on the 18th century Tekke shrine last month.
But despite the request for extra cash the government was criticised for doing too little too late.
Yesterday’s announcement came during a House Education Committee meeting which demanded that all religious monuments should be protected, regardless of whether they were Christian or Muslim.
“Officials gave us an optimistic and positive account on protection of mosques, but I think they have to indicate more interest and spend more money,” socialist Edek deputy Takis Hadjidemetriou told the Cyprus Mailafterwards.
Committee member Hadjidemetriou — who raised the sensitive issue of protecting, preserving and restoring Muslim sites — said he wasn’t convinced everything was being done by the government.
“I’m not sure the (government) conservation programme is happening as effectively as they are saying.”
The deputy — who is also a member of the Council of Europe’s education and cultural committee — said more should be done in restoring mosques and cleaning up the surrounding areas.
“The important thing is for the Republic to show greater interest in monuments because they are not only Muslim but Cypriot and part of our common heritage.
“We cannot separate people by culture and religion and this is the general view of the political and religious leadership,” said Hadjidemetriou.
The House of Representatives has requested a report on all mosques in the free areas and says it is prepared to act as a “watchdog” to ensure Muslim sites are maintained and protected.
“Although the government has asked for more money from the European Union, my position is that they should have started with the budget money,” Hadjidemetriou said.
Larnaca district officer Kypros Mathaiou said £1,800 worth of damage had been caused by the recent arson attack on the Tekke.
Representatives from the Antiquities Department and the Communications Ministry said that Muslim, Christian and ancient structures were always treated equally as far as was financially possible.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the state-run Turkish Cypriot Properties Service, Haris Kyriakides said that a government service should be established specifically to protect Turkish Cypriot cultural sites.
Around 100 mosques remain in government-controlled areas and some £200,000 was spent maintaining them between 1985 and 1990.
The Tekke will be closed to the public from today until September 15 for restoration work.
