Symposium in London examines history of Turkish Cypriot people
History of the Turkish Cypriot People symposium in London, United Kingdom. (AA Photo)
A symposium titled “History of the Turkish Cypriot People” convened Thursday at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, shedding light on the historical roots and identity of Turkish Cypriots. The event was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to the UK, Osman Koray Ertas, and Cimen Keskin, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ (TRNC) Representative to London, alongside prominent historians and community leaders.
Key speakers included Mustafa Kureysi, president of the Cezire Association, and Ersu Ekrem, former chairperson of the British Turkish Cypriot Association (BTCA), both of whom presented research and historical perspectives on the evolution of Turkish Cypriot identity and its connections to broader historical dynamics.
Kureysi traced the presence of Turks in Cyprus to Islamic military expeditions during the Umayyad and Abbasid periods, suggesting that Central Asian Turks who joined Islamic armies may have settled on the island. He highlighted historical documents indicating the existence of mosques and madrasas in Cyprus before the Ottoman conquest in 1571, as well as the settlement of Anatolian Turks on the island during Ottoman rule.
Kureysi also addressed the presence of Turkish slaves in pre-Ottoman Cyprus, noting that some converted to Christianity and became ancestors of certain Greek Cypriots. “British records referred to Turkish Cypriots as ‘Turkish-Muslims,’ while Greek sources broadly labeled all Muslims as ‘Turks,’” he added, underscoring the complex historical narratives surrounding the island’s communities.
Ersu Ekrem delved into the political history of Turkish Cypriots, focusing on their status during the modern Cyprus issue. His presentation outlined the community’s struggles and resilience in the face of political and social challenges.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Ertas emphasized the importance of preserving and narrating Turkish Cypriot history to build a shared future. “The current peaceful atmosphere on the island presents a unique opportunity for cooperation between the two communities,” he said, calling for dialogue and mutual understanding.
