Turkey Events and Festivals

9/01/2008 - 9/29/2008Ramadan

Ramadan is the Muslim festival of fasting and is the most important festival in the Islamic Calendar which is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. The arrival of the crescent moon in the night sky signals the start of 30 days of fasting during which Muslims don't eat, drink or smoke during the day, eating all their meals before sunrise and after sunset. Consequently, many of Turkey's cafes and coffee shops throng with activity each evening during Ramadan as people catch up with one another and the day's news. Fasting is one of the pillars of the Islamic faith and reminds Muslims of the plight of the poor, sick and needy. Eid al-Fitr (see separate entry) marks the end of the 30-day fasting period and is a great celebration throughout the Muslim world