UN Secretary-General 's July 2021 report on his mission of good offices in Cyprus, once again highlighted how the Religious Leaders of Cyprus sustained their commitment to peacebuilding and reconciliation within the framework of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process (RTCYPP).

The Secretary General highlighted the joint public statements of the Christian & Muslim religious leaders, promoting forgiveness, counteracting further polarization and standing up for religious freedom.

Secretary General Guterres pointed out the joint statements issued by the religious leaders swiftly and in a conciliatory manner, for cases of desecration and vandalism of places of worship; prevented serious and potentially harmful to intercommunal relations, backlash. Lastly, the report highlighted how religious pilgrimages, part of an unprecedented agreement reached between Archbishop Chrysostomos II and Mufti Talip Atalay in 2014 within the framework of the RTCYPP and supported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus; have been an important confidence-building measure.

We are encouraged with the reports of rescuers coming together to help all who are in need. We pray for them, the firefighters and everyone who has come forth to help those in need. We are especially sorry for the loss of life and express our sincerest sympathies to the families of the victims. May Allah Almighty grant patience, courage and peace to them.

We regret the news of animals burnt to death, injured and hurting, the loss of property and the utter destruction of nature. The tragic loss of rich forests and wildlife including all animals pains us all. Natural environment is the foundation for life and humanities common heritage. We should take care of them together and help one another to overcome the harsh consequences of the destruction and death.

As Muslims of Cyprus, we stand ready to help now and later for the recovery process in any way we can.

May Allah be with everyone and have mercy!

Prof. Dr Talip Atalay

Mufti of Cyprus

Patriarchal decree of the Maronite Church issued 19.6.21 announces Patriarchal Administrator, Chorbishop Selim Sfeir, as Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus elected by the Holy Synod of Maronite Bishops on 16 June 2021 . Office of RTCYPP extends warmest congratulations to His Excellency, to the Maronite Church and community.

May God grant the new Archbishop strength and bless his mission.

“Bugün, Kıbrıs Rum Ortodokslarının en kutsal kilisesi olan Ap . Barnabas’da yapılan ayine Kıbrıs Müftülüğünü temsilen katıldık. Bütün ada genelinde herkes için Din ve İbadet özgürlüğü hususundaki prensiplerimizi tekrarladık. Barışın simgesi olarak, Hala Sultan Tekkesinin tuvale basılmış bir fotoğrafını Papaz İoannise hediye ettik.

Bu ayini mümkün kılan ve gerekli izinleri veren tüm devlet yetkililerine, huzurlu ve güvenli geçmesi için güvenlik önlemleri alan polis teşkilatına ayrıca teşekkür ederiz .

Ne mutlu bizlere ki, binlerce yıllık medeniyyetimizde din düşmanlığı hiç bir zaman olmamıştır. «Es Sulhu Hayr-Hayr Sulhdadır´ “ Imam Shakir Alemdar (10.6.19 At the chapel on top of the grave of Saint Barnabas near Salamis.)

Muslim religious leadership of Cyprus acknowledge the feast of St Barnabas and for the last 9 years graciously join the Christian religious leadership of Cyprus to partake in the celebration of the apostle & founder of the Church of Cyprus, as a sign of respect and fraternal relations.

Since the outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic in 2020, Christian religious community has not been able to visit & pray at the Cathedral of Saint Barnabas where the Apostle is buried.

The meeting is hosted H.E Anders Hagelberg, Ambassador of Sweden at the Swedish Residence, followed by lunch in honour of the RTCYPP. The meeting is chaired by Peter Weiderud, Sweden’s Special Advisor on Religion in Peace & Conflict and organized by the Office of RTCYPP under the auspices of the Swedish Embassy.

“Today is a day of joy, hope and thankfulness,” said Salpy Eskidjian, Executive Director of the Office of RTCYPP. “Once again the religious leaders of Cyprus demonstrated their staunch commitment to stand up together for religious freedom and continue to advocate for the right of the other. The RTCYPP is a witness that nothing can diminish the power of friendship nurtured over ten years of dialogue & cooperation.”

His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed H.E. Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana as Nobre Apostolic Nuncio to Cyprus. Archbishop Yllana will also serve as Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and the Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine. Messages of good wishes and congratulations on behalf of the RTCYPP were sent to the Latin Patriarchal Vicar of Cyprus, the Reverend Father Jerzy Kraj.

On 1 and 3 June 2021, Office of RTCYPP held its first Greek beginners’ class for Turkish-speaking youth and a new beginners’ class for Turkish-speaking team of young Imams including women.

Turkish language classes for priests and members of faith communities continue to take place every week with plans are underway to start a second beginner’s class for youth.

Office of RTCYPP has been organising Greek and Turkish language courses for priests, imams and lay leaders in the faith communities of Cyprus since 2017 in an effort to build bridges between the faith communities of the island. The Language Classes are endorsed by the religious leaders of Cyprus who have been in dialogue and working together for the last ten years, under Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden.