As an important step for the protection of the “historic property rights of the Turkish Cypriot people”, the “general director” of EVKAF, Ismail Bender, described the decision of the “real estate committee” to of Famagusta.
According to t / k media, Mr. Bender stated in a written statement that in a case before the “committee” by an e / c applicant, EVKAF, for the first time participated in a lawsuit as an interested party.
“We appreciate this important and logical decision of the real estate committee, which recognized the interest of EVKAF in this case and allowed us to be parties to the case. “We consider this decision an important step in protecting our historic property rights.”
In 2020, he added, EVKAF applied to the “committee” to become a party in the case number 1732/2011 on behalf of the Vakuf Abdullah Pasha, which is administered by EVKAF. “However, the Greek Cypriot applicant objected to the EVKAF being part of the proceedings and a legal dispute arose. After hearing the arguments for and against, the TMK (“Real Estate Committee”) accepted the application, considering that EVKAF had legitimate reasons to participate in this case “.
Mr. Bender states in his statement that EVKAF claims to be the legal owner of 100% of Varos and that when Cyprus was under British colonial rule (1878-1960), EVKAF assets were illegally transferred to individuals, institutions and organizations. “According to the laws governing EVKAF and the international agreements signed by the United Kingdom, the assets of the Foundation may not be sold or transferred.”
Noting that EVKAF is a charity and one of the oldest in Cyprus, Mr. Bender said that it was founded in 1571 by order of Sultan Selim I to manage Muslim donations and works for the benefit of all Cypriot citizens regardless of nationality, religion, or gender.
Traditionally, he continued, the Muslims of Cyprus leave their land or money as a legacy to EVKAF or an institution and ask EVAKF to manage them on their behalf. One of these institutions, he said, is Abdullah Pasha's bakuf.
According to Mr. Bender, with the income from the rent of the property in the fenced Varosi, EVKAF pays the salaries of local teachers, schools and school uniforms for children, health services, help for widows and orphans, dowry for poor young girls, maintenance and repair .
He also said that EVKAF, which closed 450 years of life, manages more than 2200 institutions.
Source: KYPE
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