15th Special Pilgrimage to Hala Sultan Tekke
Eid al-Fitr / Ramazan Bayram 2019
On June 6, on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr – Ramazan Bayram, the Mufti of Cyprus led a special prayer service for 600 pilgrims of Turkish origin who cannot otherwise visit and pray Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaca.
This pilgrimage is one the the three special pilgrimages to Hala Sultan Tekke taking place annually on the occasion of Ramazan Bayram, Qurban Bayram and Mevlid (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and Mawlid al-Nabi). This is a result of an unprecedented agreement from 2014 between the religious leaders of Cyprus, namely H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos II of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus and the Mufti of Cyprus H.E Dr Talip Atalay, reached within the framework of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden(RTCYPP).
“Religious Leaders advocating together the right to worship and free access to places of worship for everyone as a basic human right is a strong foundation for confidence building and reconciliation in Cyprus which my governemt is committed to support.” said H.E the Ambassador of Sweden, Anna Olsson Vrang.
The joint message and heartfelt wishes of all the religious leaders of Cyprus for a joyous and peaceful Eid was shared publicly and warmly received.
“We are encouraged and very grateful for the support of H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos II for the special pilgrimages. The joint efforts of all the religious leaders of Cyprus for religious freedom is a clear sign of hope which should be nurtured and supported by everyone.” said Salpy Eskidjian, Executive Director of the Office of RTCYPP.
Office of RTCYPP expressed special appreciation also for the support of H.E Mr Christodoulides, the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus as well as the Cyprus police, UNFICYP, UN Police and everyone involved for all they did to make the pilgrimage a success.
Hala Sultan Tekke was closed off for tourists and other faithful to accommodate the special pilgrimage that is facilitated by UNFICYP in coordination with the Office of RTCYPP.
