Throughout its history, Cyprus has been a center of confrontation between great civilizations and cultures, a place where the West and the East unite. The cultural heritage of Cyprus is closely related to Greek traditions and Christianity, but the influence of the Arab world is very strong.
Mosques and Muslim holy sites are an integral part of the culture of Cyprus. Tolerance, mutual respect and understanding of the importance of preserving the traditions and history of all peoples related to Cyprus is the most important aspiration of modern society.
The fourth shrine of the Islamic world - the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque - is located in Cyprus, just 3 kilometers from Larnaca. This holy place is second in grandeur and importance only to Mecca, Medina and the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
The history of the construction of the mosque goes back to the Middle Ages. In 649, Cyprus was invaded by the Arab armies. Together with the soldiers, their wives landed on the island. One of these women was Umm Haram, the aunt of the Prophet Muhammad. She died in an accident - falling from a horse. A giant stone was laid at the place of her burial, and later in 1760, when Cyprus was conquered by the Turks, a mausoleum was built. And already at the beginning of the 19th century, the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque was erected with a beautiful minaret, a garden and a fountain.
The mosque was considered active before Turkey's invasion of the Republic of Cyprus in 1974, but now it comes to life only on the days of major Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Adha.
If you have come to Cyprus and immersed yourself in the study of its rich culture and traditions, then you should not ignore the heritage of Arab history and culture. Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque is open to visitors, in fact, all day. This beautiful building, surrounded by a well-tended garden, is kept clean and looks unshakable since its construction. The only restoration of the mosque was in the middle of the 20th century. There is an ancient mausoleum, residential buildings for pilgrims and employees of the mosque, burial places of famous Muslims are located here. For example, here is the sarcophagus of Queen Adil Hussein Ali, who was the wife of one of the rulers of Mecca. Another attraction of these places is the Salt Lake. In winter, pink flamingos flock here.
