Press Release 27.6.17

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.

Press Statement 27.6.17

Statement from the Office of RTCYPP

Religious Leaders of Cyprus reaffirm that “everyone has a historic responsibility to ensure that the political conflict is resolved and the island is reunited”

In light of the upcoming conference on Cyprus, scheduled to start on June 28, 2017 in Crans Montana, Switzerland, the five religious leaders of Cyprus working together for human rights and peace since 2011 within the framework of the RTCYPP, pray for “a successful outcome that will ensure the end of the unacceptable status quo and entail the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as each others’ distinct identity and integrity.”

Reiterating their joint statement of 26 February 2014, in support of the joint communiqué of the political leaders of 11 February 2014, the Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos II, Mufti of Cyprus, Talip Atalay, Archbishops of the Maronite and Armenian Churches, Youssef Souief and Khoren Doghramadjian respectively, and the Reverend Father Jerzy Kraj, head of the Latin Catholic Church of Cyprus and the Apostolic Delegation express their conviction that “a settlement should be based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and the High Level Agreements.”

The religious leaders once again reaffirm that “everyone has a historic responsibility to ensure that the political conflict is resolved and the island is reunited.” They restate their conviction that “there is no alternative to communication, co-operation and co-existence to ensure that Cyprus becomes a haven of peace with justice where religion will no longer be a victim of a political conflict; Where Greeks, Turks, Armenians, Maronites, Latins, Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths will live, work and worship side by side in total freedom and harmony.”

The religious leaders reiterate their commitment to continue to meet regularly, openly express their respect and listen to one another. Their encounters have helped them to get to know each other and understand the other’s needs. Together they have tried to find practical solutions, build trust and confidence and succeeded.

They restate their firm belief that “working together, seeking to overcome differences and supporting each other are obligations for people of faith and tools to promote faith when there is doubt, love where there is hatred and hope to overcome despair.”

Press Release 18.5.17

Churches of St Jacob and St George will No Longer Fear Collapse

The religious leaders of Cyprus, working together within the framework of the RTCYPP, welcome the good news, that their joint efforts to save the two historic Churches found in the green line have born fruit, as per their request and they will soon be reinforced for protection.

The Churches of St Jacob and St George of 15th and 17th centuries respectively, have been at a high risk to collapse and in need for emergency interventions when the Nicosia Master Plan brought it to the attention of the Office of RTCYPP requesting the support of the religious leaders of Cyprus to highlight the plight of these two ancient monuments and ensure their reinforcement and eventual restoration.

“We thank God for the fact that after so many years of efforts together with the Mufti we are now promised that these two historic Churches will no longer fear collapse”, said H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos II. “We had hoped that our initial request to carry the responsibility for the studies as well as the reinforcements with a bi-communal team of workers would have been accepted but appreciate the decision for a speedy implementation of the reinforcements.”

“We could not have reached this result without the support of Mr. Akinci and the Turkish forces”, said H.E. Mufti Talip Atalay. “Our faith teaches us to protect and respect all places of worship. Historic monuments such as these ones need to be protected not only because they are the cultural heritage of Cyprus but because they are also sacred monuments for all believers.“

“We are grateful to UNFICYP and the Embassy of Sweden for all its support and look forward to a good cooperation with all those assigned for the oversight of the reinforcements and eventual restoration.” Said H.G. Bishop Porfyrios of Neapolis, assistant bishop to the Archbishop on the RTCYPP and President of the Synodical Committee on Monuments and Christian Art, a key person in this process since 2014. “We owe the success of this initiative to the commitment, hard work and persistence of many but specially three women, former UNFICYP Chief of Mission Lisa Buttenheim, former UNFICYP Force Commander Kristin Lund and our facilitator Salpy Eskidjian.”

“We are ever so privileged to have had the opportunity to lead this process since 2014 and witness once again first hand the consequences of honest, principled and good cooperation between the religious leaders of Cyprus working together persistently to save these historic religious monuments from total collapse”, said Salpy Eskidjian, Executive Coordinator, Office of RTCYPP. “Once there is respect and agreement on issues based on the principles of human rights and international law with a genuine commitment to work together for the common good, without ever giving up, there is bound to be success.”

The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage has taken on the project to reinforce the two Churches and they have agreed to do so immediately.

Press Release 8.3.17

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>>

Press Release 25.1.17

Secretary General of the United Nations Acknowledges The Efforts of the Religious Track and Calls for All Restrictions on Freedom of Worship including Access to Religious Sites to be Lifted

The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterress, calls for all restrictions on freedom of worship, including restrictions on access to religious sites, to be lifted. In his recently issued report to the UN Security Council on the UN Operation in Cyprus, he acknowledges the commitment of the religious leaders of Cyprus to joint dialogue and the promotion of religious freedom supported by the Embassy of Sweden, also known as the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process (RTCYPP).

Mr Guterres underlines that freedom of worship, as a fundamental human right is important in and of itself. In addition, he states, “it can also provide a context for enhanced interaction between the communities.”

Referring to the RTCYPP, the Secretary General underlined that the “joint efforts by the religious leaders continue to lend much needed and broad based support for freedom of worship and the peace.” The Secretary General notes “sustained open dialogue combined with a commitment to freedom of worship by both sides can only serve to open doors for greater understanding and trust.”

The 6-month report of the Secretary General (Reference: S/2017/20) on the operation in Cyprus was presented to members of the UN Security Council on 23 January 2017 when the renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate for an additional six more months was discussed.

Reports of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Cyprus are made twice a year and cover UNFICYPs operations and the political
developments on the island.

Full extract of the UN SG references to the RTCYPP are found here below.

Extracts from the UN Secretary General’s 6 months report on the Operation in Cyprus (23 January 2017)

Paragraph 24: The religious leaders of Cyprus continued to demonstrate their commitment to joint dialogue and the promotion of religious freedom, supported by the Embassy of Sweden. The visit on 7 July to Hala Sultan Tekke to celebrate the feast of Bayram included, for the first time, Greek Orthodox, Muslim, Maronite, Armenian Orthodox and Latin Catholic representatives. On 9 December, the religious leaders launched a joint appeal via video message to encourage all those with information on the missing to come forward and support the work of the Committee on Missing Persons. On 30 November, the name day of Apostolos Andreas and the first day the Monastery was open to the public, upwards of two thousand people attended a service and visited the Monastery throughout the day with the support of UNDP and UNFICYP.

Paragraph 44: As a fundamental human right, there can be no doubt that freedom of worship across the island is important in and of itself. At the same time, it can also provide a context for enhanced interaction between the communities. I call for all restrictions on freedom of worship, including restrictions on access to religious sites, to be lifted.

Paragraph 45: I note that joint efforts by the religious leaders continue to lend much needed and broad based support for freedom of worship and the peace. Sustained open dialogue combined with a commitment to freedom of worship by both sides can only serve to open doors for greater understanding and trust.

Press Release 20.12.16

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.

Press Release 18.11.16

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.

Press Release 1.11.16

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.

Press Release 6.10.16

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.”