Cyprus and the role of religion in conflict and peacebuilding to be discussed at Almedalen Week in Sweden

Representatives from the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process (RTCYPP) are currently in Gotland, Sweden to be part of a seminar on 4th of July on the role of religion in conflict and peacebuilding at “Almedalen Week 2017”.
Bishop Porfyrios of Neapolis, head of the Representation of the Church of Cyprus to the European Union, Imam Shakir Alemdar of Hala Sultan Tekke, representative of the Mufti of Cyprus and Salpy Eskidjian one of the architects of the RTCYPP will elaborate on the joint efforts of the Christian and Muslim religious leaders of Cyprus for human rights, peace and reconciliation.
They will be joined by Dr Zahra Langhi, co-founder of the Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace (LWPP) and Judge Mohammad Abou Zaid, President of Saida Islamic Sunni Court of the Lebanese Republic to explore how religious leaders from different faith backgrounds working together can prevent or resolve violent conflicts, promote the respect of human rights and contribute to peace building.

Professor of peace and conflict studies Dr Isak Svensson from Uppsala University will be moderating the debate that will take place at the Bishop’s official residence in Visby from 10:00 – 11:30.
The seminar is co-hosted by the Bishop of Visby Sven Bernard Fast and Mr Peter Weiderud, director of the Swedish Institute Alexandria.

Further information and photos can be found on Office of RTCYPP’s Facebook and by following #CyprusinAlmedalen #rtcypp.

Almedalen Week is Sweden’s largest and most significant political meeting space in Sweden, taking place annually in Visby on the island Gotland for almost fifty years. It all began in 1968 when former education minister Olof Palme spoke from the back of a lorry at Kruttornet by Almedalen in Visby. Through democracy and openness, the week gives everyone who wants to debate social and political issues the opportunity to participate. The transparency and accessibility of Almedalen Week are unique for Sweden and the rest of the world. All events during the week are free and open to the public. The government of Sweden, all political parties, civil society organisations, the media, international partner organisations participate. The parliamentary parties, via their local representatives in Gotland, are the main organisers of Almedalen. The Municipality of Gotland is the host.

The events during Almedalen Week are conducted in Visby city centre. Organisers rent venues all around the centre and invite participants to attend. For approval, the events are required to meet certain criteria such as raising a current social or political issue and offering the opportunity for dialogue.

In 2016, 1756 different organisations held 3796 events around current social issues in one week. The number of contributors was 7540 people, 48 per cent of these were women.

9th Special Pilgrimage to Hala Sultan Tekke on the Occasion of Eid al-Fitr - Ramazan Bayram

On the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr, a special pilgrimage to Hala Sultan Tekke, organised and led by the Mufti of Cyprus took place on 27 June 2017, for 900 faithful of Turkish origin that cannot otherwise cross the buffer zone in the divided island of Cyprus.

The head of the Church of Cyprus H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos II through his representative, Archimandrite Rev. Ioannis Ioannou of Apostolos Barnabas Monastery sent greetings of peace and love to the Mufti of Cyprus. Father Ioannis was joined by Father Jerzy Kraj, Latin Patriarchal Vicar and Representative of the Apostolic Nunciature in Cyprus. Both clerics extended their best wishes to all Muslims living in Cyprus on the occasion of the feast of Ramazan Bayram. “We pray for a Cyprus where Christians and Muslims can once again know each others traditions and feasts and celebrate them together like they used to” said Father Ioannis Ioannou at the end of the prayer service.

The Mufti and the pilgrims present warmly received the Christian religious leaders and the Office of RTCYPP who came to express their best wishes.
“Today is one of the fruits of the religious leaders dialogue and cooperation for which we are both committed to and most grateful for.” said Mufti Talip Atalay. “Before we initiated the RTCYPP the religious leaders of Cyprus had not met for decades, nor did they know each other, now they tell each other that they are brothers and stand up for each other.” said Salpy Eskidjian, Executive Coordinator of the Office of RTCYPP who serves as the main facilitator of the religious leaders dialogue in Cyprus. “With their united presence here today, the religious leaders of Cyprus as well as the pilgrims send another positive message that Christians and Muslims of Cyprus respect religious freedom and each other and if given the chance they can live together again.” Archbishops of the Armenian and Maronite Churches of Cyprus sent their messages of support and best wishes for the Bayram via the Office of RTCYPP.

The special pilgrimage to Hala Sultan Tekke is the result of an unprecedented agreement between the religious leaders of Cyprus, namely H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos II of the Church of Cyprus and the Mufti of Cyprus H.E. Dr Talip Atalay. The agreement was reached in 2014 within the framework of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden (RTCYPP) and has had the full support of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Mr Kasoulides.

The special pilgrimages organised by the Mufti of Cyprus are coordinated by the Office of RTCYPP and facilitated by UNFICYP. This was the 9th pilgrimage within this framework agreement since 2014.

Ramazan Bayram or Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that takes place annually. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, to Prophet Muhammad according to Islamic belief. For 30 days, followers of Islam pray and refrain from bad behavior — including cursing, gossiping or fighting — and impure thoughts. Fasting and focusing on prayer and charity during Ramadan is meant to purify the body and spirit and bring the faithful closer to God; fasting during the month is also one of the five pillars of Islam.

The special pilgrimage is a joint initiative, between H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos II and H.E. Mufti Dr Talip Atalay, for up to 1000 pilgrims of Turkish origin, who reside in the northern part of Cyprus and cannot, otherwise visit and pray at Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaca.

The agreement for the special pilgrimages to Hala Sultan Tekke annually (Eid al-Fitr -Ramazan Bayram, Eid al-Adha -Qurban Bayram and Mawlid-al Nabi -Mevlid) was reached in 2014 within the framework of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden (RTCYPP), supported by the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E Mr Kasoulides as well as the political leaders of Cyprus.

The special pilgrimages are organized by the Muftiate of Cyprus and coordinated by the Office of RTCYPP, facilitated by UNFICYP. Since 2014, eight special pilgrimages have taken place, providing up to 8000 pilgrims the opportunity to visit and pray at Hala Sultan Tekke.

In 2015 the Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus sent greetings of peace and best wishes to the Mufti and faithful at Hala Sultan on the occasion of the feast of Eid al-Adha through his representative who joined the special pilgrimage for the first time ever and was warmly welcomed. In 2016 the Chancellor of the Archbishopric and the Abbot of Apostolos Barnabas Monastery, representing H.B Archbishop Chrysostomos II together with representatives of Archbishop Soueif of the Maronite Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Nareg of the Armenian Church of Cyprus and Father Jerzy Kraj, head of the Latin Church and the Apostolic Delegation in Cyprus were present at Hala Sultan Tekke to bring greetings of peace and love from the Christian religious leaders of Cyprus to the Mufti on the occasion of the special Muslim feasts and express their respects. These encounters and meetings of cooperation and confidence building were facilitated and coordinated by the Office of RTCYPP under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden.

The Mosque of Umm Haram at Hala Sultan Tekke is considered the most significant Muslim place of worship in Cyprus. The Tekke is open daily at set hours and used by Turkish Cypriot and other Muslim faithful freely. With the support of the Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus, former Ministers of Interior of the RoC and the Office of RTCYPP, the Mufti’s representative has been able to set up an office at Hala Sultan Tekke including cooking and guest facilities to serve pilgrims and has access to use the living quarters and other rooms there. During Ramadan and other special feasts, the Antiquities Department of the Republic of Cyprus makes special arrangements for Hala Sultan Tekke to be open longer hours day and night to accommodate the worshipping needs of the faithful.

Statement of the Religious Leaders of Cyprus Condemning all forms of Violence against Women and Girls to be released on The International Women’s Day

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, the Office of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden in Nicosia, (RTCYPP) will be hosting the official ceremony to release the joint statement of the religious leaders of Cyprus condemning all forms of violence against women and girls. The event will take place at The Ledra Palace Hotel in the UN Controlled Buffer Zone, on 8 March 2017 at 10.00hrs (Eastern European Time/EET).

H.E Ms. Margot Wallström, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden (via a video message) and H.E Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) to Cyprus and Head of UNFICYP will address the event alongside the religious leaders of Cyprus.

The “invitation-only” gathering will bring together the religious leaders of Cyprus, leadership of the different faith communities and civil society, clerics, women’s organizations and political parties, municipal leaders of Nicosia, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the UN, the EU and the media.

“We are delighted that for the first time in the history of Cyprus the religious leaders of the Church of Cyprus, the Muftiate, the Armenian, Maronite and Latin Churches of Cyprus agreed to jointly address issues of violence against women,” said Salpy Eskidjian, the Executive Coordinator of the Office of RTCYPP and one of its co-founders. “This is the third significant joint statement we have facilitated for the religious leaders of Cyprus since we initiated the religious leaders’ dialogue in 2009, under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden in Nicosia, known as the RTCYPP. “We are deeply honored to work with them in this regard and encouraged with their commitment to continued dialogue and peacebuilding.”

The gathering will be under the High Auspices of H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos II, H.E. Mufti Talip, H.E Archbishop Youssef representing also Rev. Father Jerzy Kraj and H.G Archbishop Khoren.
Guest speakers, Susana Elisa Pavlou, director of the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS) and Mine Atli, project coordinator at Association of Women to Support Living (KAYAD) will discuss the current situation of violence against women in Cyprus.

The religious leaders’ statement will be read out for the first time and presented in three languages. Members of the media have been invited to cover the event.

Join the conversation and spread the word on social media using:
#RLagainstVAW #RTCYPP

Read the joint statement in three languages here>>

8th Special Pilgrimage to Hala Sultan Tekke on the occasion of Mevlid

The special pilgrimage to Hala Sultan Tekke on the occasion of Mawlid-al Nabi or Mevlid in Turkish took place today, December 20, 2016, when Mufti of Cyprus, H.E Dr Talip Atalay led prayers at noon for 850 pilgrims of Turkish origin who reside in the northern part of Cyprus.

The special pilgrimages are part of an agreement made between H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos II of the Church of Cyprus and H.E. Dr. Talip Atalay, Mufti of Cyprus within the framework of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden (RTCYPP), supported by the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E Mr Kasoulides.

Special pilgrimages to Hala Sultan Tekke have been taking place annually as per the request of the Mufti of Cyprus on the occasions of Eid al-Fitr, Eid al- Adha and Mawlid-al Nabi. They are organized by the Muftiate of Cyprus, facilitated and coordinated by the Office of RTCYPP with the full cooperation and support of UNFICYP. This is the 8th special pilgrimage since 2014.

Cyprus: The Prospects for a Settlement and Wider Implications discussed at the 13th Round Table of the Trilateral Strategy Group meeting in Stockholm, 16-18 November 2016

Cyprus and the prospects for a settlement and wider implications was one of the sessions on the first day at the 13th Round Table of the Trilateral Strategy Group with the theme “The Long Disorder” taking place currently in Stockholm, Sweden.

Peter Weiderud, Moderator of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process (RTCYPP) under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden and Director of the Swedish Institute Alexandria, was one of the speakers at the panel alongside Kathleen Doherty, Ambassador of the USA to the Republic of Cyprus and Soli Ozel, Professor of International Relations at the Istanbul Kadir Has University and a columnist at Haberturk. The panel was moderated by Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, Director of the Ankara Office of the German Marshall Fund of the USA.

“One promising development in the midst of the long disorder in the world is Cyprus”, was a statement repeatedly heard at the round table which brought together 40 experts including diplomats, government officials, parliamentarians, scholars, academics, businesspersons and journalists mainly from Turkey, USA and Sweden. All agreed that currently Cyprus is “the silver lining that gives the region and the transatlantic partners the much needed hope.”

The round table discussed the number of highly complex and sensitive issues that remain to be resolved as well as the role of different actors in Cyprus including the Religious Track and its contribution to the peace process. Discussions focused on understanding the prospects of a solution including the concrete concerns and fears of the communities. In his introduction, Peter Weiderud stated that, “the current phase in the Cyprus peace process is a chance for all Cypriots to determine their future themselves”. “The status quo is neither possible, sustainable nor workable.” In describing the RTCYPP, he stated that it “was established to encourage, facilitate and serve the religious leaders’ dialogue and efforts for religious freedom and peace in Cyprus; to acknowledge the historic presence of Christianity and Islam on the whole of the island and to contribute positively to the Cyprus peace talks.”

The support and commitment of Turkey, USA and Sweden to the current negotiations for comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus conflict was reiterated.

Ambassador Olsson Vrang of Sweden hosts her first meeting of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process (RTCYPP) in the Presence of UN SRSG Spehar

The Ambassador of Sweden to Cyprus, Ms. Anna Olsson Vrang, hosted the religious leaders of Cyprus for a lunch meeting within the framework of the RTCYPP, on 31st October 2016 at the Swedish Residence in Nicosia.

The UN Secretary General’s Special Representative (SRSG) to Cyprus and Head of UNFICYP, Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, was the honorary guest. Ms. Spehar reiterated UNFICYP’s commitment to support the religious leaders’ joint efforts for freedom of religion, human rights and peace in Cyprus. “I very much admire and value your work. Everyone needs to do his or her part on this island for peace and you have a special and important role in this regard.” The religious leaders thanked the UN for all its efforts for peace in Cyprus and expressed their best wishes to Mr. Anastasiades and Mr. Akinci for a positive outcome from their intensive talks in Switzerland this week.

The meeting, moderated by Mr Peter Weiderud, Director of the Swedish Institute Alexandria, took stock of the direct and indirect achievements of the religious track since 2009 and the historic steps taken by all involved. Mufti of Cyrus, Archbishop of the Maronite Church, Representative of the Apostolic Nunciature in Cyprus and head of Latin Church as well as the representatives of the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus and incoming Archbishop of the Armenian Orthodox Church thanked the Swedish Government, ambassadors and the facilitators of the RTCYPP for their invaluable role and support for dialogue, human rights, peace and reconciliation in Cyprus. “Promoting and securing human rights is key to building peace, trust and confidence. The Swedish Government is committed to continue its support to the efforts of the religious leaders of Cyprus. Their joint achievements have been widely recognized in Cyprus and beyond”, said Ambassador Olsson Vrang. The Ambassador also thanked UNFICYP for the fruitful cooperation with the RTCYPP.

The meeting also discussed the existing status of religious monuments and the right to worship across the dividing line. “One of the root causes for the difficulties we face in our work seems to be the lack of knowledge, understanding and respect for religious freedom as a human right. Respecting all places of worship and allowing for each faith community to care for them and use them in accordance to their religious tradition is a right that should not be kept hostage to the Cyprus problem,” said Salpy Eskidjian, the Executive Coordinator of the Office of RTCYPP and co-facilitator of the religious leaders’ dialogue for peace.

The religious leaders once again reiterated their conviction that places of worship in Cyprus should be restored, open and fully accessible. They all emphasized that sharing hope by staying together, witnessing and working together for peace as religious leaders is a daily duty rooted in their faith.

Swedish Ambassador Anna Olsson Vrang pays courtesy visit to Archbishop Chrysostomos II and Mufti Talip Atalay

On 6 October 2016, the new Ambassador of Sweden to Cyprus, H.E Mrs Anna Olsson Vrang, paid her first courtesy visit to His Beatitude Chrysostomos II, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus and to the Mufti of Cyprus, H.E Dr Talip Atalay. The two separate meetings were held within the framework of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process (RTCYPP), which is under the auspices of the Embassy of Sweden since its inception in 2009.

Both the Archbishop and Mufti warmly welcomed Ambassador Olsson Vrang with whom they met separately and expressed their sincere appreciation to the Swedish Embassy and its support to the work of the Office of RTCYPP for accompanying the religious leaders of Cyprus in their joint quest for peace.

Ambassador Olsson Vrang reiterated the commitment of the Swedish Government to contribute to lasting peace in Cyprus and assured the religious leaders of its continued support to their efforts in this regard.

“I’m honored by the religious leaders’ acknowledgment of the contribution of Sweden to assist in the further promotion of freedom of religion and belief in Cyprus”, said Ambassador Olsson Vrang, “I’m also pleased to continue Sweden’s engagement with the religious leaders and the faith communities in Cyprus to work together to promote religious freedom, peace and reconciliation.”