It has been reported that the decision to build a masjid near the Apostolos Andreas Monastery has been cancelled due to reactions.
According to Bugün Kıbrıs news, the construction work on the mosque has ceased completely.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Reactions had been poured in on the decision to open a mosque next to the Apostolos Andreas Monastery of the Orthodox Church in Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpaso) last week. Craftsmen had refused to move into rooms built for craftsmen selling souvenirs during restoration work.
It was decided to convert the remaining two empty rooms into a mosque. After the decision, reactions rained on social media. Dipkarpaz Mayor Hamit Bakırcı argued that the construction of a mosque was the demand of the people. “
In the meantime, General Manager of Foundations Administration İbrahim Benter said that the rooms were prepared and attempts were made to move the shopkeepers to these places at the request of the church.
Benter had said that he had no intention of going all the way to the edge of the Karpaz and opening a small mosque. Benter also said that he was in contact with church officials and that they did not complain about it.
After this development, the Bishop of Karpas, Christoforos, made it clear that the character of the Apostolos Andreas Monastery should not change and noted that both sides should respect the other’s religious sites. It also denied the explicit claim of the Cyprus Turkish Religious Foundation’s management (Evkaf) that it had no complaints on the matter. He said he was not aware of any move and said: “any decision announcement does not constitute consultation”.
