Cyprus' top Muslim cleric sends message of peace

Cyprus' top Muslim cleric says Christians and Muslims can again live together peacefully on ethnically divided Cyprus as they did for hundreds of years.

Turkish Cypriot Grand Mufti Talip Atalay says Muslims should emulate the "good example of our ancestors" and that "we should build on the good memories." Atalay was speaking Wednesday at the Hala Sultan Tekke, an important holy place in Islam, where tradition says the Prophet Muhammad's foster mother is buried.

Hundreds of Muslims from Cyprus' breakaway Turkish Cypriot north made the pilgrimage to the shrine in the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot south on the feast of Eid ul-Adha or Kurban Bayram.

Talks are taking place to reunify Cyprus, which was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece.    (AP)

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