This 11 March marks the beginning in Turkey and for millions of Muslims around the world of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the most important month in the Islamic calendar, during which the faithful must fast daily from sunrise to sunset, not only abstaining from drinking or eating but also refraining from smoking, sexual relations, blasphemy and improper acts.
However, children, the elderly, the sick, travellers and pregnant women are exempted from fasting. At nightfall, the fast is broken with iftar, a meal that is usually a time of gathering for family, friends and neighbours, and which in many cases is communal, in large gatherings in the streets and squares of the neighbourhoods.
On a religious level, Ramadan marks the time when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, according to Islamic teachings. Large charitable donations are also made at this time, and mosques across Turkey are adorned with mahya lights, huge messages in luminous letters depicting verses from the holy book for Muslims or other religious messages, which are hung between the minarets. In Istanbul, places like Eminönü buzz these days with shoppers rushing to buy dates, olives and other products to break the fast each night.
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Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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