During Ramadan , the Turks are keen to revive the customs and traditions of the days of the Ottoman caliphate that represented Islam and Muslims . The Holy Month of Ramadan is considered as a holy month for the Turks , as mosques , streets and homes of Turkey are preparing annually to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan , and the balconies are decorated with decorations and colored lights , and the minarets of the mosques are adorned with illuminated signs that carry different religious phrases , which is an Ottoman habit that has continued since 450 years in Turkey , mosques are ready to welcome worshipers to pray Tarawih and read the Qur’an , which is done collectively in mosques in Turkey during the holy month of Ramadan , along with many other aspects that the Turks are keen on during the month of Ramadan , which is considered sacred especially in Turkey .
But as a result of the spread of the Corona Covid-19 virus , and in the concern of the Turkish government for the safety and health of its people , gatherings and prayers in mosques were prevented , in addition to a number of preventive measures taken by the Turkish government to reduce the spread of this virus .
We at Right Home Real Estate Consulting recommend that you stay in your homes as a matter of individual social responsibility and duty to protect yourselve, your family and loved ones by staying in your house and not leaving the house except for necessity , for your safety and to limit the spread of the virus and reduce the possibility of infection and to others , and you should go to the hospital immediately if you show any symptoms of infection and to ensure your safety .
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Ramadan rituals in Turkey
Istanbul is one of the most cities in which Ramadan is considered as a distinctive month , so many tourists from all over the world visit Istanbul in the blessed month of Ramadan , and appearances that are famous during Ramadan in Istanbul are :
- Collective Iftar or Ramadan tents :
Every year , the municipality of each Istanbul neighborhood organizes Iftar tables in parks , roads , squares and famous mosques such as Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul , and this collective Iftar is a distinctive sign of this holy month , where all sects of the Turkish people meet , and it is not limited to the poor families only , as it is considered in Turkey as a form of social communication , and the wealthy neighborhoods finance these tables , and the families of the neighborhood residents participate in preparing them , and the municipalities provide localities with the integrated of the preparation of Iftar programs , where religious seminars are provided after the collective Iftar and neighborhoodd compete to attract famous preachers to it , Iftar tables include many famous Turkish dishes such as pide bread ( handmade in the ovens ) , and Turkish soup , where most Turks prefer Ifter with dates and then soup as a Turkish habit , then eat other main dishes such as grape leaves , Turkish pies and other items , and the Iftar ends with baklava and Turkish tea .
- Tarawih prayers :
Tarawih prayer is an important manifestation of the holy month in Turkey , where Turkish Muslims of all ages are keen after eating Iftar to attend mosques to secure their places for evening prayer and Tarawih , and mosques are heavily crowded with worshipers during the month of Ramadan , and Tarawih prayer is distinguished in Istanbul by the speed of its performance , that only a little of the Qur’an is read in it , but there are some mosques that are obligated to read the complete conclusion of the Qur’an during the blessed month . Also , worshipers are keen to pray the praises that they perform during the last days of Ramadan or on the night of Eid , as they pray and read the prophetic praise and some religious chants , just as mosques at the end of the month are keen on accomplishing of reading the Qur’an and celebrating this by reading the supplication of the accomplishment of the Qur’an.
- The establishment of the book fair :
The book fair is one of the Ramadan customs that Turkish citizens are keen on , as the book fair is held and opens its doors every day after Maghrib prayer until late at night , and it is popular with many people .
- Visit to the " Hırka-i Şerif Mosque " :
With the entry of the second half of the month of Ramadan , the crowds of Turks begin to come from all parts of Turkey to Istanbul to visit the " Hırka-i Şerif Mosque " , which contains the blessed mantle of Prophet Muhammad , that Sultan Selim brought to Turkey during his journey to the countries of the Islamic East in 1516 AD , and this mosque opens the visit during Ramadan and only in the second half for men and women visitors on specific dates .
- Daily reading of the Qur’an in “ Topkapi Palace ” :
By the month of Ramadan , reading the Qur’an begins in the “ Topkapi Palace " without interruption , day and night throughout the holy month of Ramadan .
- Almesaharati
Despite the existence of modern warning tools , Ramadan Mesaharatiare still wandering in the cities of Turkey , knocking on their drums and chanting phrases and poems to wake people up before dawn , and with each Ramadan , municipal councils in Turkey grant permits for those who have a profession of Mesaharatiare to wake people from their sleep , it is not a random profession practiced by people on their own .
