Legal Aspects of Turkish Cypriot Waqfs and The Waqf Culture

The deep-rooted tradition of waqfs within Ottoman civilization shaped the social and cultural life of the Turkish Cypriot community by establishing over two thousand charitable institutions on the Island of Cyprus starting from 1571. However, this historical heritage faced illegal expropriation and removal from the control of Turkish Cypriots during the process that began with the British administration in 1878. The waqf properties, which are one of the most critical subjects of disagreement in the Cyprus issue today, represent an existential matter for the Turkish Cypriots. This collective work brings together expert academics and scholars from Turkey and Northern Cyprus to address the Cyprus waqf issue through its historical, cultural, social, and legal dimensions. Examining the journey of waqfs from the Ottoman archives to the present day, the book focuses on contemporary problems such as illegally seized properties and avenues for fair resolution, within the framework of international law and the principles of Ahkâmü’l-Evkâf (Laws of Endowments), while also addressing the issue’s cultural aspects. This volume is intended as a comprehensive reference source for all researchers seeking to understand the complex structure of Turkish Cypriot Waqf Law.