Archive for June, 2008

The Omeriye Mosque standing tall in the city of Nicosia

Though in modern Cyprus, Islam is practiced by only 18% of the population, near the Main Municipal Market in the walled city of Nicosia lies another cultural and religious heritage of of the country - the Omeriye Mosque - one of the many influences of the faith.

Ironically, the Omeriye Mosque was identified as the original church of the Order of the Augustinians which was dedicated to St. Mary. The discovery of the several numbers of tombs where the Augustinian hermits finally laid to rest proved the assumption that the Omeriye Mosque was once a cradle for the Augustinian Order.

Above: The crowd at the Cyprus Music Awards 2007

If anything, the beauty of having a history of colonial invasions is that a nation’s culture becomes richer. It can be seen most apparent in architecture, language, and customs. Cypriot music is no exception. As an important trading post between European, African, and Middle Eastern civilisations throughout history, the influences of these cultures on Cypriot music cannot be denied.

Traditional Cypriot music