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Mosque Name: Hala Sultan Tekke

Country: Cyprus

City: Larnaca

Year of construction (AH): 28 AH

Year of construction (AD): 649

GPS: 34°53’6.56”N 33°36’38.53”E

Gibson Classification: unknown

Rebuilt facing Mecca: 1232 AD


Description:

Most accounts establish a connection between this site and the death of Umm Haram during the first Arab raids on Cyprus under the Caliph Muawiyah between 647 and 649, which were later pursued throughout the Umayyad and the Abbasid periods. According to these accounts, Umm Haram, being of very old age, had fallen from her mule and had died during a siege of Larnaca. She was later buried where she died. However, according to Shia belief, her grave lies within the Jannatul Baqi cemetery in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The modern mosque in Larnaca was built beside this tomb in 1760 AD in Ottoman style. No previous Qibla could be determined.

There are however ruins of the original tomb and shrine, currently below a nearby building. Despite several visits to the shrine, Dan Gibson was not able to determine the shrine’s qibla. Below are photos taken in 2017.


The modern mosque

The modern mosque


The official government sign

The official government sign


Plaque over the mosque door

Plaque over the mosque door


Excavations of the original shrine

Excavations of the original shrine


Excavations of the original shrine

Excavations of the original shrine


Dan Gibson standing beside the minbar (pulpit).

Dan Gibson standing beside the minbar (pulpit).


The graves in the mosque.

The graves in the mosque.


Plaque in the Mosque.

Plaque in the Mosque.


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