About 1000 Pilgrimage Expected At Larnaca, Southern Cyprus

About 1000 people who are engaging on Holy pilgrimage will the crossing from Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus over to the Southern Cyprus tomorrow Saturday 22nd November, 2013 to visit a prominent Muslim Shrine, on the west of the Salk Lake in Larnaca.  

The movement will be accompanied by police officers alongside the pilgrims.

Pilgrims are expected at the Agio Dometios Checkpoint in Nicosia around 10.00 am and will return by 3.00 pm.

THE BEAUTIFUL OF THE VISIT

This year the Hala Sultan Tekke recieved a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor

According to an Antiquities Department announcement, the certificate is based entirely on the comments of visitors following their visit to the mosque of Hala Sultan during the previous year.

"The Department of Antiquities considers this distinction of special importance since it is the result of the experiences of the visitors and their subsequent comments,” the announcement said.

The Muslim shrine, on the west bank of Larnaca Salt Lake, was the Islamic prophet Muhammad's wet nurse and the wife of Ubada bin al-Samit.

In Ottoman times, a mosque complex was built in stages around the tomb, especially as of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The shrine structure was first erected by Sheikh Hassan in 1760. Later the mosque was constructed and the complex assumed its present form around 1816/17.

Hala Sultan Tekke complex is composed of a mosque, mausoleum, minaret, cemetery, and living quarters for men and women.

While being acknowledged as a holy site for Turkish Cypriot Muslims, the mosque has also been described by secular contemporary sources as being revered by all Muslims.

Culled: Famugusta Gazette