Mosque in Cyprus defaced on bicentennial of Greek uprising

·

Vandals defaced the facade of a mosque in ethnically split Cyprus on Thursday, daubing it with Greek flags and slogans and drawing a harsh condemnation from authorities.

The mosque, located west of the city of Limassol close to Cyprus’s southern coast, was spray-painted blue with stencils of the Greek flag on its stone exterior. Christian crucifixes, also in blue, were painted on its two wooden doors.

Thursday marked the bicentennial of an 1821 Greek uprising which ended Ottoman rule in Greece. Cyprus, which was also part of the Ottoman Empire, became a British protectorate in 1878, later became a colony and then gained independence in 1960.

Cypriot authorities condemned the incident, calling it “an unacceptable and senseless act of so-called patriotism which desecrated places of religious worship.”

A quote spray painted on a mosque in Cyprus. Photo: Twitter

The Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process, an interfaith religious group, called it “shameful.”

Cyprus was split between its Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot population after a Turkish invasion in 1974 prompted by a brief Greek inspired coup. Countless mediation attempts have failed to heal the divide, with the United Nations poised to launch a new effort in Geneva in April.

“Malicious acts such as these do not contribute in any way to the creation of the right climate to solve the Cyprus issue and reunify our country,” Cypriot government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said in a written statement.

“Idiots of the day” wrote one user on Twitter under a picture of the mosque.

Sourced By: Reuters

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Teen star Sam Konstas earns first Cricket Australia contract

Sam Konstas, the 19-year-old opener from New South Wales, has been awarded his first Cricket Australia contract for the 2025–26 season.

Brisbane taverna owner John Theoharis disqualified from driving after licence breach

John Theoharis, co-owner of Brisbane’s popular Lefkas Taverna, has been fined $300 and disqualified from driving for three months.

Giannis Antetokounmpo in talks to buy the Sydney Kings

NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is in talks to buy a stake in the Sydney Kings — with plans to rename the team the ‘Spartan Kings.’

Paros submerged, Syros pelted by hail as storms sweep the Cyclades

Severe weather swept across several Cycladic islands on Monday, March 31 with Paros and Syros among the hardest hit.

Sydney remembers Cyprus’ fight for freedom ahead of National Day anniversary

Cypriot and Greek Australians gathered in solemn remembrance on Sunday, 30 March, for a memorial service marking Cyprus National Day.

You May Also Like

Effy Alexakis to exhibit powerful female portraits at ‘Hellenic Horizons’ IWD event

An intimate, powerful exhibition by photographer Effy Alexakis will be on display at the International Women’s Day ‘Hellenic Horizons’ event.

Greek-Australian Olympian Michael Diamond selling gold medal for heart transplant funds

Former Greek-Australian Olympic shooting champion Michael Diamond is in possible need of a heart transplant and is selling a second gold medal to support...

‘I was always different’: Konstantinos Dosis on taking part in Sydney WorldPride 2023

Sydney stylist and hairdresser, Konstantinos Dosis, shares what it's like to be taking part in Sydney WorldPride 2023.