Despite Delays, Mosque Opens for Ramadan in Cyprus City

TEHRAN (IQNA) – The department of public works in Paphos, Cyprus, announced that the small building that has long been used as the mosque in Paphos will be open for use during Ramadan, which started on Wednesday.

In a written statement, the public works department said it has managed to get the contractor restoring the mosque to complete construction work so that it can safely be used during Ramadan. 

The project, which is part of a wider project of the unification of archaeological sites in Kato Paphos, included the restoration of both the interior and exterior of the mosque. 

“Despite delays in the project, the department of public works, respecting the request of the Muslim community to secure a comfortable and safe site in order for them to exercise their religious rights and given that it was not possible to find another site managed to get the contractor to go ahead with construction work in the mosque so that it may be completed and used with safety during Ramadan,” it said. 

The move comes after calls from the Muslim community of Paphos to speed up ongoing upgrading work in the area of the mosque, which has almost ground to a halt, saying it was affecting their ability to pray and gather together at special times, including Ramadan. 

The department did not specify whether the mosque will be open for use immediately. 

Around 1,000 people are expected in the area of the mosque per day during the month-long Ramadan. 

Paphos’ main mosque in Moutallos has been out of action for years because of safety concerns over the minaret.

Source: Cyprus Mail