Protect Zuhuri Tekke
The Issue
In 2020, the Municipality of Larnaka received EU funding to regenerate the historic Zuhuri Tekke compound, an Ottoman-era Islamic place of worship belonging to the pious foundation Evkaf Administration of Cyprus.
The proposed redevelopment raised serious concerns over plans, that included the sale of alcohol, within this sacred Islamic site. Cezire Derneği launched a successful campaign to protect the complex. The Mayor of Larnaka, Andreas Vyras, gave assurances that alcohol would not be sold on the premises and that the project would respect and enhance the importance of the Mosque and Tekke complex.
These assurances have since been undermined. A beer festival was held at the site in 2025, followed by another on 26–27 September 2026, raising renewed concerns over the use and protection of this Islamic heritage site.
Article 110(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus provides for the protection of vakf properties, including mosques and Muslim religious institutions, under the Laws and Principles of Evkaf (Ahkâmü'l-Evkaf).
Holding beer festivals at this historic religious site raises serious concerns about respect for its Islamic character, the Mayor's assurances and the protection of its vakf status.
We therefore call upon the Municipality of Larnaka to:
- Honour the assurances given and prohibit the sale of alcohol at the Zuhuri Tekke complex.
- Respect its Islamic religious character.
- Ensure that future events respect the site's religious significance and are arranged in consultation with the relevant Islamic religious authorities.
Zuhuri Tekke is an important part of Cyprus's Islamic heritage. Its preservation requires not only the restoration of its buildings, but also respect for its religious identity and the assurances given to protect it.
Please sign and share this petition to protect Zuhuri Tekke and safeguard its Islamic heritage.
۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞
ZUHURİ TEKKESİ'Nİ KORUYALIM!
2020 yılında Larnaka Belediyesi, EVKAF'a ait Osmanlı devrinden kalma Zuhuri Tekkesi'nin ihyası için Avrupa Birliği'nden fon almıştır.
Projede alkollü içki satışı plânlarına karşı Cezire Derneği'nin yürüttüğü başarılı kampanyanın ardından Belediye Başkanı Andreas Vyras, tekkede içki satılmayacağını ve projenin cami ile tekkenin ehemmiyetine riayet edeceğini taahhüt etmiştir. Ancak 2025 ve 26–27 Eylül 2026 tarihlerinde burada bira festivalleri düzenlenmiştir.
Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti Anayasası'nın 110. maddesinin 2. fıkrası vakıf müessesesini ve Ahkâmü'l-Evkaf hükümlerini tanımaktadır. Larnaka Belediyesi'ni verilen taahhütlere uymaya, tekkede alkollü içki satışını ve tüketimini yasaklamaya, mekânın İslâmî mahiyetini ve vakıf statüsünü muhafaza etmeye davet ediyoruz.
Zuhuri Tekkesi'nin ve Kıbrıs'ın İslâmî mirasının korunması için dilekçemizi imzalayıp paylaşınız.
۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞
Ας προστατεύσουμε τον Τεκέ Ζουχουρί!
319
The Issue
In 2020, the Municipality of Larnaka received EU funding to regenerate the historic Zuhuri Tekke compound, an Ottoman-era Islamic place of worship belonging to the pious foundation Evkaf Administration of Cyprus.
The proposed redevelopment raised serious concerns over plans, that included the sale of alcohol, within this sacred Islamic site. Cezire Derneği launched a successful campaign to protect the complex. The Mayor of Larnaka, Andreas Vyras, gave assurances that alcohol would not be sold on the premises and that the project would respect and enhance the importance of the Mosque and Tekke complex.
These assurances have since been undermined. A beer festival was held at the site in 2025, followed by another on 26–27 September 2026, raising renewed concerns over the use and protection of this Islamic heritage site.
Article 110(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus provides for the protection of vakf properties, including mosques and Muslim religious institutions, under the Laws and Principles of Evkaf (Ahkâmü'l-Evkaf).
Holding beer festivals at this historic religious site raises serious concerns about respect for its Islamic character, the Mayor's assurances and the protection of its vakf status.
We therefore call upon the Municipality of Larnaka to:
- Honour the assurances given and prohibit the sale of alcohol at the Zuhuri Tekke complex.
- Respect its Islamic religious character.
- Ensure that future events respect the site's religious significance and are arranged in consultation with the relevant Islamic religious authorities.
Zuhuri Tekke is an important part of Cyprus's Islamic heritage. Its preservation requires not only the restoration of its buildings, but also respect for its religious identity and the assurances given to protect it.
Please sign and share this petition to protect Zuhuri Tekke and safeguard its Islamic heritage.
۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞
ZUHURİ TEKKESİ'Nİ KORUYALIM!
2020 yılında Larnaka Belediyesi, EVKAF'a ait Osmanlı devrinden kalma Zuhuri Tekkesi'nin ihyası için Avrupa Birliği'nden fon almıştır.
Projede alkollü içki satışı plânlarına karşı Cezire Derneği'nin yürüttüğü başarılı kampanyanın ardından Belediye Başkanı Andreas Vyras, tekkede içki satılmayacağını ve projenin cami ile tekkenin ehemmiyetine riayet edeceğini taahhüt etmiştir. Ancak 2025 ve 26–27 Eylül 2026 tarihlerinde burada bira festivalleri düzenlenmiştir.
Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti Anayasası'nın 110. maddesinin 2. fıkrası vakıf müessesesini ve Ahkâmü'l-Evkaf hükümlerini tanımaktadır. Larnaka Belediyesi'ni verilen taahhütlere uymaya, tekkede alkollü içki satışını ve tüketimini yasaklamaya, mekânın İslâmî mahiyetini ve vakıf statüsünü muhafaza etmeye davet ediyoruz.
Zuhuri Tekkesi'nin ve Kıbrıs'ın İslâmî mirasının korunması için dilekçemizi imzalayıp paylaşınız.
۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞
Ας προστατεύσουμε τον Τεκέ Ζουχουρί!
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 28 September 2026