We regret and condemn the Larnaca Municipality’s organisation of a beer festival at Zuhuri Square, where the Zuhuri Mosque and Dervish Lodge, which have survived from the Ottoman period to the present day, are located. In its event announcement dated 27 September 2026, the Municipality declared Zuhuri Square as the venue of the festival.

The religious sensitivities of Muslims and the historical and religious identity of this place should have been taken into account. Holding the festival here, despite the objections of Muslims in the area calling for the event to be moved elsewhere, is unacceptable.

We call on the Larnaca Municipality and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus to show respect for the historical identity of the Zuhuri Mosque and Dervish Lodge, to consider the objections raised with due seriousness, and to take the necessary steps so that similar events are not held at this place. Respect for the cultural and religious heritage of Cyprus is a shared responsibility of everyone living on the island.