U.S. Department of State (2020), 2019 Report on International Religious Freedom: Cyprus, 15 July 2020.
Country
Cyprus
Title
Year
Type of publication
Geographical coverage
National
Area/location of interest
Type of Institution
Public authority
Institution
Main Thematic Focus
Discrimination Religious freedom
Target Population
Muslims
Key findings
Τhe report recorded the following 2019 incidents: (1) The expulsion from a public school of a Syrian student because she was wearing a headscarf, despite school regulations that the prohibition to cover their heads should be implemented without discriminating. The Education Ministry ordered an investigation but did not publicize the findings, announcing only that it would handle the matter in accordance with the law. Subsequently, in response to continued criticism from students of the school, the Ministry transferred the headmaster to another position. (2) Problems with the operation of the mosques reported by the Muslim community: Two of the eight functioning mosques under the guardianship of the Ministry of Interior continued to lack bathroom and ablution facilities; the Great Mosque of Limassol was suddenly shut for restoration without previous notice to the Muslim community or a timeline for completion; the government allowed the access for religious services to only six of 19 mosques located on cultural heritage sites; no permission was granted to perform improvements at the functioning mosques, as per the long term request of the Muslim community; visiting government staff refused to wear appropriate clothing when entering a Muslim holly site and security guards sometimes allowed visitors to enter the mosque wearing shoes. (3) Private employers refusing to hire women who wore hijabs.
Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative and exact type used, questionnaires etc)
The report compiles data from the national press and from NGO consultation.