Turkish Cypriots celebrate Mawlid, birth of Prophet

By Murat Demirci

LARNACA, Greek Cypriot Administration

The Department of Religious Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) organized Tuesday a visit to the Hala Sultan Lodge Mosque in Greek Cypriot Adminisration’s port city of Larnaca.

Thousands of visitors took buses from different cities and visited the lodge to mark Mawlid al-Nabawi, the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

Greek Cypriot police officers took wide security measures in the city.

The Hala Sultan Lodge Mosque is named after Prophet Muhammad's wet nurse, who according to some accounts accompanied a military campaign to the island -- and was later martyred -- during the rule of Caliph Osman.

Speaking during the visit, Talip Atalay, the head of TRNC Department of Religious Affairs, called on Muslims to unite in good deeds.

Muslims across the world celebrate the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, with the day varying from country to country according to the lunar calendar. The prophet passed away on the same day as that of his birth, at the age of 63.

The day is a public holiday in several Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and some parts of India.