The condemnation messages continue after the arson attack on Denia Mosque which occurred on the night of 20th February. After the condemnation messages of President Mustafa Akıncı, the President of Religious Affairs Prof.Dr.Talip Atalay and the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades, the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and the United Nations Development Programme also jointly condemned the arson attack against the Denia Mosque.
According to the statement given, representatives of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and UNDP immediately visited the Mosque on Sunday morning in order to assess the damage which is limited to the roof of the Mosque.
The UNDP indicated that they are ready to provide any necessary assistance for the restoration of the damaged roof. It was also stated that they are already working in full coordination with the local authorities to ensure the future protection of the mosque.
Furthermore the joint statement continued as follows:
“The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and the United Nations Development Programme stand united by all communities of Denia and Cyprus and will continue in their efforts to safeguard Cyprus heritage”
Denia Mosque was built in the mid-19th century and was restored three years ago under the auspices of the bi-communal Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage supported by EU funds with help from the UNDP. It was one of the first heritage sites selected by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage to benefit from emergency measures within the EU funded and UNDP implemented programme.