Ramadan in Turkey – Traditions, Preparations, Calendar and More .. 2023

We will tell you everything you need to know about Ramadan in Turkey. History, traditions, activities.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a month of fasting, prayer and reflection. Ramadan lasts for 29-30 days depending on the moon cycle. This year, Ramadan starts on April 2th and ends on May 2th in Turkey. During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from dawn to sunset.

Importance of Ramadan in Turkey

Ramadan is an important time for Muslims because it’s a time for spiritual reflection and renewal. It’s also seen as a chance to cleanse oneself from sin, gain self-discipline and practice self-control.

It is also time to read the Qur’an, pray more, do good deeds, and give charity.

The benefit of fasting is that it helps build patience and discipline, as well as a sense of solidarity with people who are going through difficult times.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are five religious duties that every Muslim must perform.

Qadr Night

Qadr Night, also called Laylat ul-Qadr, is one of Ramadan’s final ten days. On this night, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had the first verses of the Holy Qur’an read to him as a guide for all the people.

As a result, Ramadan is an excellent time to reflect from your sins and seek forgiveness and the assistance of Allah (SWT). It is also known as the night when your destiny for the coming year is sealed.

During Ramadan month, hell is closed. During this time period, the devil is kept away from people. As a result, people gain the advantage and opportunity to have a more clear mind and a more pure soul. This is simply a night of prayer, recitation of the Holy Qur’an, and visiting the Mosque for the Muslims.

If you pray on Qadr Night, you will receive more benefits than if you devote a thousand years to worship and devotion. On this Qadr Night, good deeds performed with sincerity are as good as good deeds performed over a thousand months.

“You cannot attain During the month of Ramadan the Qur’an was sent down as a guidance to the people with Clear Signs of the true guidance and as the Criterion (between right and wrong). So those of you who live to see that month should fast it, and whoever is sick or on a journey should fast the same number of other days instead..”

The Holy Qur’an [2:185]

Ramadan Preparations in Turkey

Cleaning the houses is among the very old Ramadan traditions. Care is taken to keep every house clean during Ramadan and during the festive period. Cleanliness means abundance. Meals are handled with particular care. Plates, bowls, pots, cutlery, glasses are cleaned well.

Dinnerware that has not been used before is removed from their hiding place. Priority is given to personal items that are not used in daily life.

The covers, serving mats and even ablution towels to be used on the tables are cleaned and brought to the public. In short, everything is done to make the house look more magnificent, more attentive and sparkling.

While welcoming the month of Ramadan, kitchen shopping is done collectively. Large purchases are made to procure food supplies that will be needed throughout the month. Families with good financial status also do this shopping for those who are poor.

It is believed that the month of Ramadan will bring festivity to all tables and bring blessings to poor houses.

Traditions at Ramadan in Turkey

Hanging Ridges on Mosques (Mahya)

Mahya is the art of writing, which is written with oil lamps filled with olive oil between mosques with double minarets and expresses Ramadan. This tradition has reached the present day from the Ottoman Empire.

In ancient times, the arrival of Ramadan was announced to the public in this way. The mosques, which shine brightly during Ramadan, continue to reflect the enthusiasm of the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan Drummers

One of the oldest and most cheerful of the Ramadan traditions is undoubtedly the sahur drummers. This tradition is unique to Turkishness and Islam.

In the old days, during the month of Ramadan, Ramadan drummers used to walk around the street with a few people, and they would sing Ramadan mani in turn.

Even though he travels alone nowadays, he continues to cheer up the night with his drums and sing mani.

Mani Examples

For Welcoming the Ramadan

Good luck to all of us
Happy days to us
Sultan of eleven months
Welcome to our home.

For Farewelling the Ramadan

We thank the Lord,
We fasted.
We are waiting for you again,
Farewell Ramadan.

Ramadan Entertainments in Turkey

After the fasting all day, the meals that are eaten with pleasure and the festivities begin after the tarawih prayers. These entertainments, which last from evening to sahur, are quite enjoyable.

The coffeehouses under the mosques are overflowing, where foamy Turkish coffees are sipped by the crowd. This chat environment, which starts with the iftar with the crowded family and friends, continues until the sahur.

Excited to watch Karagöz-Hacivat plays, children run around the streets.

Even if you don’t go out, people gather at home and listen to the stories told by the elders.