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.

The main entrance door is still part of the original 14th century building of the Omeriye Mosque. A nave 41×11m was initially covered with cross vaults. The most imposing building of Medieval Nicosia, after St Sophia will be initially 15m high. The architecture of the building is generally simple, with heavy exterior façades and buttresses. The beautiful sculptural decorations of the vaulted entrance are preserved at its best.

A minimal percentage of the population in Cyprus practice and are devoted to Islam

The Omeriye Mosque can be identified as a super structure but it bears the scars of the Turkish siege in the country. The siege of Nicosia in the year 1570 left roughly damaged the structure with the cannonades.

The Turks failed to reign the city and the walls of the Omeriye Mosque was rebuilt. Wooden roof and minaret were added in an attempt to restore it. It was Mustapha Pasha who converted the Augustinian structure into a mosque in the year 1571. The name Omeriye Mosque was associated with a Muslim prophet by the name of Omer during the 7th century. Omer was said in legends that he was the prophet who visited Nicosia while he was bound for Egypt. The prophet stayed in the ruined church and spent a night on the porch for a rest.