Renovation of Maroni mosque completed

The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in Cyprus has completed the renovation works on the mosque in the village of Maroni, in the district of Larnaca, a project which Jakhongir Khaydarov, head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Cyprus programme, hailed as a significant milestone.

The committee held an event on Friday to mark the completion of the mosque’s restoration.

“This is a very important project of cultural heritage, which was generously funded by the European Union,” Khaydarov said.

“The restoration of the mosque in Maroni is a significant milestone and a symbolic act because it was built jointly by the community in 1892, and we see that history goes far back.

“The preservation of this type of cultural monument is very important for the UNDP and the entire international community supporting Cyprus, for the recognition of the island’s diversity.”

Present at the event was also Judit Rozsa, the director of the EU Reform Support, who also praised the committee for the achievement.

“We are here today to celebrate the completion of the renovation works on the mosque in Maroni, mainly funded by the European Union, and to acknowledge the great collaboration that led to the successful completion of this project.

“Preserving Cyprus’ rich and diverse cultural heritage for future generations was the focus of a project aimed at demonstrating the communal character of life before the island’s division.

Sotos Ktoris, co-chair of the Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage, told the Cyprus News Agency that the restoration works, that began in February, cost around €170,000, including the study and execution costs, as well as the supervision of the work.

“Next to the mosque was the old Turkish Cypriot school, which was also restored. Essentially, we preserved the historic footprint for future generations,” he said.