TRT World - World in Focus: Turkey's Farewell to Ramadan

Описание: FAREWELL TO RAMADAN
The anticipation of waiting to hear the call to prayer when sun sets every day for one holy month of fast-breaking dinners or iftars with family and friends, long late-night prayers at mosques and public events has all come to yet another end, a feeling Muslims experience every year as they prepare to bid farewell Ramadan. Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims in which they fast every day from dawn to dusk and are not allowed to eat or drink during the time in between. The end of Ramadan marks the beginning of the Eid el-Fitr holiday in which the entire country mobilizes to visit their loved ones, shops for new clothes, cook for their visitors as love and appreciation spreads in this special holiday Turks call “bayram.”

RAMADAN IN ISTANBUL
The atmosphere of Ramadan is relatively much more significant in Istanbul than in many other cities in the country. As residents of other cities focus more on family events during the month, the residents of Istanbul take over the streets, especially at fast breaking time. Much of the historic peninsula turns into a giant picnic area as believers want to be surrounded with Istanbul’s spirituality and hear the echoes of the call to prayer from numerous mosques in the area. Spending sahur eating an early breakfast before dawn in around historic sites has also become a tradition among Istanbul’s residents. During the month, local and international visitors also flock to the streets of Istanbul for a full house Ramadan experience in the city. Several areas across the city have been designated for Ramadan programs where small concerts, lectures and plays are presented, festivities are organized and small theme parks are established for the joy of observers of all ages. Istanbul is home to many shrines belonging to prominent spiritual scholars attract a scores of visitors coming to perform their prayers. The renowned mosques of Istanbul, however, play a major role in bringing out the Ramadan spirit within people as these mosques hold crowded prayers and inspirational sermons.

EID MUBARAK
Long lines of traffic stretching towards the outskirts of the megapolis of Istanbul signals the arrival of yet another Eid holiday as millions leave Istanbul to visit their families throughout the country. In the meantime, long lines gather at airport gates and border crossings entering Turkey are also seen as members of the millions strong Turkish diaspora in Europe come to visit their families. Tour companies estimate that around 20,000 residents will be spending their Eid holiday abroad. During Eid, families gather at the house of their eldest family member, children run around neighborhoods collecting candy, as gifts are exchanged and feasts takes place to appreciate their blessings. Istanbul takes a breath from the crowds it hosts on a daily basis and becomes quieter during bayram.

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