Abstract

Cyprus Island, became a Turkish island with the resettlement policy of the Ottoman empire during its reign of 308 years (1570-1878). In mid 19th Century, intense population of Turks used to live in Baf province of Southern Cyprus. There wasn’t any madrasa in Baf to serve the educatıon needs of the Muslim-Turkish population. This situation caused the population to fall behind in the means of education and culture, to lose the conscious of religion and nationality and brought the nation to the risk of becoming christianize. After receiving education in Istanbul Fatih Madrasah, İbrahim Sıdkı Efendi got a diploma from there. He also received tasavvuf education from competent sufi leaders and returned to his homeland as a mudarris and a sufi leader. He later succeeded to establish a madrasah in Baf. Until the end of his life, for 35 years, he studied as a mudarris and a sufi leader in the madrasah that he built, serving the Turkish Muslim population in the island he made efforts to spread knowledge and for acceptence of religious life. He managed to provide a peaceful environment in the island with good relations based on mutual trust with the Greek community. After him, his son in law Ali Faik Efendi, his sons and his grandsons continued his mission. Baf madrasah has been the center of our article because of it’s standing up to mid 20th century and for educating many religion men, teachers and administrators who served the Cypriot society during its century- long life.

Authors and Affiliations