THE HISTORIC home of a pioneer of bi-communal relations faces demolition, despite initial assurances that it would be preserved in his memory.
Dr Ihsan Ali, who served as councilor to former President Makarios, is acknowledged for publicly speaking against Turkish policy on ethnic segregation during politically volatile times during the 1960s.
His house, which was completed in 1954, hosted a number of significant political meetings during these times and is seen by many as a landmark of his achievements.
Ihsan Ali’s daughter is currently appealing to the Interior Ministry for help, in an attempt to save her father’s house from being demolished.
The house is located in Griva Digenis Avenue, in central Paphos.
The new owners of the property have plans to demolish it and erect a multi-storey office building in its place.
Ulgen Ali Ihsan Scoatarin, told the Cyprus Mail she sold the property under pressured circumstances, at a time when health problems she was suffering from left her unable to maintain the house.
The house was bought by an insurance company in 2003 for 200,000 pounds on the condition it would be preserved in its current state, and that her elderly mother could spend the rest of her years there.
“At the time I was negotiating selling the house I was told it was going to be used as a base for the company offices,” said Ulgen. The house which is on a large plot of land has 10 rooms.
The original buyer of the house died some time later and when Ulgen’s mother passed away in 2007, her daughter heard that the inheritors planned to demolish the residence and erect an office block in its place.
In a letter to the Interior Minister, Ulgen stated that she chose the specific buyer over several others specifically because of the assurance she was given that the property would not be demolished, and that it would be kept as a reminder of her father’s contributions to the people of Cyprus.
“Despite having had offers from other buyers for considerably more money,” said Ulgen, “I decided to go with this one due to the promise he made me.”
Ulgen added that when she found out the new owner’s intentions she offered to buy back the house at a higher price than she had sold it for.
They however declined her offer stating that building plans had already been sent to a contractor, and work was due to start soon. In desperation she applied to have the building designated a listed building, but no decision has yet been reached.
“I expect the promise I was made at the time of the sale to be honoured,” said Ulgen. “This is why I have contacted authorities and made the story public.”
Dr Andreas Sophocleous, member of the board of trustees of the Ihsan Ali foundation, said it was a great indignity that a house with such historical links might be demolished.
“Dr Ihsan took a clear stand on Cyprus existing as an entity and spoke in favour of unity on the island,” said Sophocleous. “His actions displayed true bravery during these troubled times. The foundation is dedicated to promoting his ideologies, on Greek and Turkish Cypriot coexistence.”
He is often referred to by peace activists in Cyprus as ‘the true son of Cyprus’.
