Religious Effects of Ottoman Empire on Cyprus

Ottomans 687-1343 After Hijrah/ 1288-1924 A.C being attributed to one of the Turk tribes entitled Qez became at the service of Saljuqids and established a kingdom in littleAsia. This territory was developed at the beginning of 8th century After Hijrah / 14th century A.C and gradually it changed into a great empire being included numerous lands of Asia, Europe and Africa continents. Ottomans sallied towards Cyprus in time of the second sultan Salim. These invasions were followed by three centuries of Muslims ruling on this land. Ottoman government put the considerable effects on Cyprus community in political, economical, and religious aspects. This research investigates the religious effects of Ottoman presence in Cyprus. It seems that the entrance of ottomans in Cyprus in religious aspect, led to the orthodox Christians losing the dominance of Catholic church and through the settlement of Muslims in Cyprus and the acceptance of Islam by a group of Christians present in the island, a fixed religious element entered into Cyprus so that nowadays, Muslims are considered as the greatest religious group of Cyprus after orthodox Christians.