Cyprus Turkish Waqf Culture Carried into the Future Through a Scientific Work

Within the scope of collaborative efforts between the Cyprus Evkaf Administration and the Northern Cyprus Campus of Ankara Social Sciences University (ASBU), an important publication bringing together waqf heritage and scientific knowledge has been presented to the public.

The book launch, signing session, and panel held at the Lefkoşa Bedesten marked both the 455th anniversary of the Cyprus Evkaf Administration and the 70th anniversary of its transfer from British administration. The event once again demonstrated that waqf culture is not only a legacy of the past but also a guiding value for the present and the future.

The event was attended by Deputy General Director of Foundations of the Republic of Türkiye, Hayrullah Çelebi, and Kayseri Regional Director of Foundations, Murat Seçilir.

The book, prepared by compiling the papers presented at last year’s “International Symposium on Cyprus Turkish Foundations with Legal Dimensions,” stands as a concrete outcome of academic knowledge and archival accumulation.

Published with the sponsorship of Hiperlink, the work is supported by a strong informational infrastructure that sheds light on waqf history, formed through the examination of numerous historical documents, their digitization, and their inclusion in archival records.

During the panel held as part of the event, waqf heritage was discussed from various academic perspectives. The session began with opening speeches by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Tümer, General Director of the Cyprus Foundations Administration, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Harun Tunçer, Editor at Hiperlink Publishing. Prof. Dr. Enver Arpa shared his evaluations of Islamic and Turkish-Islamic waqf heritage both globally and in Cyprus. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emete Gözügüzelli addressed the issue of confiscated Turkish waqf properties in Cyprus from legal and historical perspectives, while Dr. Zeki Akçam presented significant findings on Turkish cemeteries as elements of lost cultural heritage.

Students from ASBU Northern Cyprus showed strong participation and interest in waqf culture. During the book launch and signing session, copies were signed for attendees, and the free distribution of books by the Cyprus Evkaf Administration attracted considerable attention from young participants. This was regarded as an important step in passing waqf culture on to future generations.

The Cyprus Evkaf Administration and ASBU Northern Cyprus Campus emphasized that their cooperation will continue in preserving waqf heritage, supporting it through scientific research, and transforming it into social benefit.