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Cami Kebir, Pafos

The Great Masjid of Paphos: According to rural accounts, the original building was a church, which was converted to a masjid in 1570 by the Ottoman Governor Mehmet Bey Ebubekir and by the order of Selim Khan, (Selim II). Sheikh Ibrahim Sitki Effendi, may Allah be pleased with him, is buried in the building. He was a graduate from Ottoman Istanbul and was offered a post in the capital which he refused. He said, 'I'd rather help my people where they need me most.' He established the Pafos Madrasa which went on to have two graduates who served as Grand Viziers to the Ottomans. The masjid has now been fully restored but is closed.

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