Ramadan is a month of increased prayer, charity, reflection and renewal of friendships for the Muslim community.
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan – known as Ramazan in Turkish – is a time of fasting, prayer and celebration. All the rules on culture and etiquette in Turkey should be even more carefully observed during this period.
In Turkey, life pretty much goes on as usual. There are some details to know about Ramadan culture in Turkey. Generally ‘Dates’ and ‘Olives’ are staple Ramadan appetizers in Turkey, and they are the first foods to be eaten when breaking the fast. However, it is also possible to break the fast by drinking water. Eating dates during Ramadan is a very old tradition, dating back to the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who recommends consuming it for its health benefits such as its anti-inflammatory effect.
According to the Daily Sabah News, historic mosques become more crowded during Ramadan as people visit and observe prayers both before and after iftar, the fast-breaking meal. Large masses gather to break their fast in areas close to the mosques, which host more people for the Tarawih prayer, a voluntary prayer that Muslims commonly observe throughout Ramadan.
Interestingly, while people are enjoying their deep sleep in their houses, an unexpected drumming sound mixed with a man’s loud voice may wake you up in Turkey. These Ramadan drummers are employed to help Muslims in Turkey, wake up for Sahur, the pre-dawn meal, and take to the street for the entire holy month Ramadan. Although the tradition is dying out, but you can still see them appear on the streets in the middle of the night beating their drums in rhythmic manner and reciting “mani,” a Turkish folk poem tradition. Some of them appear in traditional clothes and people often give them money for their work.
In Turkey helping others is often part of people's resolutions in Ramadan. Organizing fast-breaking meals during Ramadan is a popular way of doing this for many Muslims in Turkey.
"I want to serve people iftar in many home this Ramadan, as I do each year," Halit Ari, a 52-year-old tradesman from Istanbul, said.
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