FOR THE first time in almost 30 years, the call to prayer sounded from the top of the minaret of the Baraktar Mosque in Nicosia yesterday, as the leader of the Turkish Cypriot Muslim community, Sheikh Nazim Kibrisi, crossed to the free areas for an unprecedented ceremony to mark the reopening of the shrine, closed since the Turkish invasion in 1974.
The shrine was reopened after restoration work undertaken by the government and UNOPS.
The Bayraktar Mosque is located on the western edge of the Constanza Bastion in Nicosia. Its name derives from the Turkish word for flag-bearer, and was built in the 19th century on the spot where besieging Ottoman forces breached the Venetian walls of the city and raised the banner in 1570.
The mosque is a simple building of no particular architectural value, but is a of key symbolic importance, and is tucked away in a haven of greenery behind the busy Ochi Square.
Yesterday’s ceremony was opened by Tumer Halil, co-ordinator for bi-communal affairs at DISY, who, speaking in Greek, Turkish and English, presented guests including Sheikh Nazim, Father Isaiah of Kykkos Monastery, representing the Church of Cyprus, and Interior Minister Andreas Christou.
“Europe does not just deal with economy, it deals with human souls,” Halil said, adding: “This monument is holy for Muslims and is part of the history of the island. Today, this holy place will send a message of unity and faith.”
Sheikh Nazim expressed his delight at yesterday’s ceremony, and extended a message of friendship to the Church of Cyprus: “I am happy today on this our most Holy day. We are reaching a time of good tidings with the coming of Jesus Christ.”
And, turning to Father Isaiah, he added: “I thank His Holiness my brother. If you are entering paradise first, you must look after me. If I enter first, I’ll take care of you.”
The Muslim leader also sent his greetings to Archbishop Chrysostomos and thanked all involved in enabling the reopening of the shrine.
Father Isaiah said Kykkos Monastery was undertaking initiatives to build ties of friendship with the religious leadership of the Turkish Cypriots with the aim of restoring unity and peace between the faiths on the island.
