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Before & After
USAID helped save this historic, religious, and cultural site
Restoring an Historic Mosque
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Photo: UNDP/Elias Karassellos
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BEFORE - The mosque and its grounds had deteriorated due to the humid climate of Cyprus, insect infestation, and water damage.
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Photo: UNDP/Nikos Savvides
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AFTER - The mosque and its minaret are now restored. USAID funding helped reinforce the building’s structure, ensuring that it will stand for future generations of Cypriots and pilgrims. The project also planted over 130 date and palm trees around the site to provide shade and restored the original footpath terraces that visitors have admired admired for centuries.
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The Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque in Larnaca, located on the southeastern shore of Cyprus is considered one of Islam’s holiest sites. It is believed to hold the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed’s aunt, Umm Haram. The mosque has long been a destination for Muslim pilgrims from Cyprus and the Middle East, and is one of the few Islamic sites dedicated to a woman.
With funding from USAID, the deteriorating mosque underwent restoration. Starting in 2001, the project brought together the island’s physically separated and estranged Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. They worked side-by-side to preserve a site they both cherish that symbolizes the island’s multicultural heritage. Under the direction of Dr. Salei Lamei from the Center for the Conservation and Preservation of Islamic Architectural Heritage in Cairo, work on the site was completed in December 2006. Now the restored site can be safely enjoyed by visitors, Cypriots, and pilgrims.
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