Islam in Cyprus

Mosque in Nicosia Islam in Cyprus was introduced when Uthman the 3rd Caliph conquered Cyprus in 649 . Muslims lived throughout Cyprus but prior to 1974, and since have been concentrated in Northern Cyprus . Until 1974, Turkish Cypriots (the Muslim community of Cyprus) made up 18% of the island's population . Today there are an estimated 264,172 Muslims based in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus . Turkish Cypriots are exclusively Sunni , with an influential stream of Sufism underlying their spiritual heritage and development. Nazim al-Qubrusi , the leader of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani order, hails from Larnaca and currently resides in Lefka . Several important Islamic shrines and landmarks exist on the island including: the Arabahmet Mosque in Nicosia (built in the 16th century ) the Hala Sultan Tekke / Umm Haram Mosque in Larnaca (built in the 18th century ) the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque , Selimiye Mosque and the Haydarpasha Mosque ; former Catholic cathedrals left from the Crusader era , which were meant to cater exclusively to the Catholic minority which ruled the island and were converted to mosques after the Muslim conquest in the Middle Ages .

Prior to this, the Muslim presence on the island was itinerant, with Arab raiders intermittently visiting and plundering coastal settlements. Before the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the Turkish Cypriots (the Muslim community of Cyprus) made up 18% of the island's population and lived throughout the island. Today, most of the estimated 264,172 Muslims are based in the north of the island. Turkish Cypriot society is markedly secular though, at least formally, adherents to the faith subscribe exclusively to the Sunni branch, with an influential stream of Sufism underlying their spiritual heritage and development. Nazim al-Qubrusi , the leader of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani order, hails from Larnaca and currently resides in Lefka . There are a few Ahmadi Muslims in the country.

Islam in Cyprus is the island's second-largest religion after Christianity , and is also the predominant faith of the Turkish Cypriot community which resides in Northern Cyprus . Before the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the Turkish Cypriot community made up 18% of the island's population and lived throughout the island. Today, most of the estimated 264,172 Muslims are based in the north of the island. Turkish Cypriot society is markedly secular though, at least formally; adherents to the faith subscribe mostly to the Sunni branch of Islam , with an influential stream of Sufism underlying their spiritual heritage and development. Nazim al-Qubrusi , the leader of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi order, hailed from Larnaca and lived in Lefka . Another branch among the Turkish Cypriot Muslims is Alevism . There are also a few Turkish Cypriots who are Ahmadi Muslims .

Islam in Cyprus is the island's second-largest religion after Christianity , and is also the predominant faith of the Turkish Cypriot community which resides in Northern Cyprus . Before the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the Turkish Cypriot community made up 18% of the island's population and lived throughout the island. Today, most of the estimated 264,172 Muslims are based in the north of the island. Turkish Cypriot society is markedly secular though, at least formally; adherents to the faith subscribe mostly to the Sunni branch of Islam , with an influential stream of Sufism underlying their spiritual heritage and development. Nazim al-Qubrusi , the leader of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi order, hailed from Larnaca and lived in Lefka . Another branch among the Turkish Cypriot Muslims is Alevism . There are also a few Turkish Cypriots who are Ahmadi Muslims . "تاریخ قبرس شمالی" [History of Northern Cyprus] (in Persian) . "مناطق مورد مناقشه: قبرس شمالی" [Disputed areas: Northern Cyprus] (in Persian) .