US encouragement for higher entry to spiritual websites in Cyprus
Encouraging higher entry to spiritual websites on each side of the Inexperienced Line and lowering discrimination in opposition to minority spiritual communities, US embassy representatives mentioned with authorities officers, in accordance with the US State Division's report on spiritual freedom in Cyprus for 2023.
It’s famous that representatives of the US Embassy met with authorities officers from the Ministries of Inside, International Affairs and Justice of the Republic of Cyprus to debate spiritual freedom points, together with encouraging higher entry to spiritual websites on each side of the “Inexperienced Line” and lowering of discrimination in opposition to minority spiritual communities.
It additionally refers to data offered by a consultant of the Church of Cyprus that there was little or no entry to some Orthodox spiritual websites within the occupied territories, and that lots of them had been transformed into stables, mosques or used for different functions.
Particularly, it’s acknowledged, amongst different issues, that within the free areas guests might solely have entry to 5 of the 19 mosques which were designated as cultural heritage monuments, in addition to 5 different mosques that haven’t been designated as such.
The Antiquities Division continued to restrict common entry to the Hala Sultan Mosque, one in every of 10 working mosques, to solely two of the 5 every day prayer occasions, though it normally granted prolonged entry throughout Ramadan and on the imam's request.
It is usually famous that of the ten mosques that had been working, 9 had been accessible for all 5 every day prayers. Additionally 9 had the mandatory amenities for ablution earlier than prayer. One mosque had amenities for ablution however was not open for all 5 prayers and one was open for all 5 prayers however didn’t have amenities for ablution, it added.
The report additionally refers back to the Jewish group's request for permission to slaughter animals for meals manufacturing in accordance with the dictates of Mosaic legislation.
In line with the report, representatives of the Jewish group mentioned that officers of the Division of Veterinary Companies of the Republic of Cyprus continued to disclaim exemptions to the Mosaic legislation's requirement to stun animals earlier than slaughter after the division's 2019 resolution to discontinue the exemptions for spiritual slaughter. The Jewish group reported having the ability to import kosher meat from different EU nations, albeit at a considerably increased value than if it was accessible domestically, the report mentioned.
It additionally notes {that a} consultant of the Muslim group reported that the group didn’t expertise difficulties accessing halal meat.
In December, a police spokesman reportedly confirmed that on November 3, authorities within the Republic of Cyprus had arrested two Iranians on suspicion of planning assaults on Israeli and Jewish targets in Cyprus.
The report additionally mentions the work of the Technical Committee of Cultural Heritage, particularly that in September, the Committee accomplished the upkeep of the mosque in Kalo Chorio within the Larnaca Province and in Could the restoration of the mosque within the village of Maroni in the identical province.
The Division of Antiquities continued the restoration of the Nice Mosque of Limassol, it added.
The report additionally states that spiritual minority teams continued to report experiencing social stress to take part in public Greek Orthodox spiritual ceremonies, similar to weddings and baptisms, and that Orthodox Christians reported that they generally confronted ostracism from their group in the event that they transformed to a different faith.
Occupied
The report, which additionally refers back to the occupied territories, says the “overseas ministry” mentioned it accepted 128 of 185 requests to carry Greek Cypriot spiritual ceremonies between January and December, in comparison with 107 of 173 requests between January and December 2022.
It additionally notes that in accordance with representatives of the Greek Cypriot group, the “police” continued to observe church features and perform identification checks on individuals. At features held after permission was sought, “police” checked and photographed the identification playing cards of all individuals, it’s reported.
A spokesman for the Church of Cyprus is quoted as saying that there was little or no entry to some Orthodox spiritual websites and that lots of them had been changed into stables, mosques or used for different functions. A spokesman additionally mentioned Greek Orthodox cemeteries within the north had been in a state of disrepair, with crosses and different spiritual symbols damaged and eliminated, whereas some cemeteries had been fully razed. Of the roughly 500 cemeteries, solely three to 5 had been in good situation, in accordance with the spokesman, the report mentioned.
It’s even reported in a number of media reviews that in November, Rabbi Chaim Hillel Azimov, who led a small Jewish flock within the occupied territories, fled Cyprus along with his household, citing rising hostility, together with from Turkish Cypriot “officers ” to the Jewish group following the Hamas terrorist assault on Israel on October seventh.
It is usually famous that the Turkish-Talking Protestant Affiliation (TSPA) reported that Turkish Cypriots who transformed to different religions typically skilled social stress, verbal abuse, insults, public criticism and office discrimination.
The report notes that the Authorities of the Republic of Cyprus is the one internationally acknowledged Authorities on the island, whereas referring to the occupied territories, saying that since 1974, the northern a part of Cyprus has been “administered by Turkish Cypriots”. He additionally notes that the “tdvk”, as it’s referred to within the pseudo-state, will not be acknowledged by the USA or every other nation besides Turkey. It additionally states {that a} vital variety of Turkish troops stay “within the Turkish Cypriot-administered space” and that this report describes developments in each communities.
Supply: KYPE
