A Research on the Sheiks of Hala Sultan Tekke in Cyprus (1570-1878)

Abstract

The tomb of Umm Haram bint Milhan, a lady of the kin of Mohammad, is in Larnaca, near the Salt Lake. Generally, it is considered that she took part in the fi rst military expedition of Cyprus by the Muslim and in the spring of A.D. 649 left Syria with her husband Ubada ibn as-Samit, for the conquest of Cyprus. When the army landed in Cyprus she died by a fall from her mule on the spot where she is buried. Having conquered Cyprus, the Ottomans attached importance to her tomb and some properties were allocated for her tomb as vaqfs and Türbedârs were appointed to protect her tomb. Even though the aforementioned tomb has not been known exactly whether it was built before the Ottomans, it is understood that the tomb and its protectors (türbedars) were existing in the fi rst years of the 17th century and onwards. Although the tomb was important for the Turkish Cypriots called her "Hala Sultan Tekke" and nominated türbedârs, it has not been made a comprehensive research to reveal its Türbedârs under the Ottoman Rule (1570-1878). Therefore, the aim of this study is to unearth its Türbedârs or Şeyhs and make a contribution its history during the period under question.