Divided Cyprus' top Muslim cleric says Christians, Muslims can again live in peace as in past

A muslim woman from the Turkish Cypriot northern third of ethnically divided Cyprus visit the Halal Sultan Tekke, one of Islam’s most important holy places, near Larnaca in the Greek Cypriot south on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. The visit to the Tekke, where according to tradition the Prophet Mohammed’s foster mother is buried, took place as part of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha . (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) (The Associated Press)

Muslim women from the Turkish Cypriot northern third of ethnically divided Cyprus pray at the Halal Sultan Tekke, one of Islam’s most important holy places, near Larnaca in the i, Greek Cypriot south on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. The visit to the Tekke, where according to tradition the Prophet Mohammed’s foster mother is buried, took place as part of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha or Kurban Bayram. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) (The Associated Press)

A muslim elderly man prays as he sits on a small stool, with other faithful from the Turkish Cypriot northern third of ethnically divided Cyprus visit the Halal Sultan Tekke, one of Islam’s most important holy places, near Larnaca in the Greek Cypriot south on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. The visit to the Tekke, where according to tradition the Prophet Mohammed’s foster mother is buried, took place as part of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha . (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) (The Associated Press)

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 recognized Greek Cypriot south on the feast of Eid al-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.