| As Ramadan gets closer every year to summer, (this | | | | breaks the days fast. Turks love to share this meal |
| year Ramadan runs from September 2nd to October | | | | of heaping plates of food, some which is prepared |
| 1st) you might wonder if traveling to a Muslim | | | | only during Ramadan. Joining a family for Iftar is a |
| country is a good idea or not. Many people are | | | | great experience, just make sure you don't dig in until |
| wondering, "Is it safe?", "How will Ramadan affect | | | | the appropriate time! |
| my travel plans to Turkey?" and "Will I be expected | | | | Visiting Mosques |
| to fast all day long as well?" Read on, you may be | | | | This is a really busy time in and around mosques. The |
| surprised! | | | | whole country casts their eyes towards the Blue |
| What is Ramadan? | | | | Mosque in Sultanahmet and the celebrations held |
| Ramadan is a month long Islamic celebration, which | | | | there, (a TV channel broadcasts live from the |
| involves Muslims worldwide refraining from letting | | | | Hippodrome for the whole month). The Eyup Sultan |
| anything pass their lips from sunrise to sunset. This | | | | Mosque in Istanbul is busy with activity the whole |
| means no eating, drinking or even smoking during | | | | month. Avoid Fridays and evenings at all |
| daylight hours. Then, in the half hour before sunset, | | | | mosques--morning and afternoon are best. |
| restaurants fill up, blankets are spread in the parks | | | | The Beat of a Different Drummer |
| and loaded with food. Upon hearing the call to prayer | | | | In the wee hours of the morning you may hear the |
| or a cannon fire, Muslims break their fast with a meal | | | | beating of drums up and down the street. This is to |
| called Iftar. | | | | wake the faithful for one last meal before sunrise. |
| Ramadan in Turkey | | | | Some people hate the drums and feel an alarm clock |
| Luckily, compared to Arab countries, Turkey is much | | | | is sufficient. Others love the drums and uphold them |
| less rigid in its rules during Ramadan (and for the rest | | | | as a symbol of Ramadan tradition. The city of Edirne |
| of the year for that matter!) Unlike some Arab | | | | chooses its drummers based on drumming skill, and |
| countries, you will not be penalized or jailed (gulp!) for | | | | the drummer wears a uniform to preserve the |
| drinking water in a public place. | | | | tradition. |
| Tourists in Istanbul and along the west coast cities of | | | | On the Road |
| Kusadasi, Marmaris and Bodrum may not even notice | | | | Muslims are not expected to fast while traveling, so |
| Ramadan, you'll see many people (tourists and locals), | | | | when the bus makes a rest stop food and drink will |
| eating and drinking during the day. Muslims who | | | | be available and you don't have to feel shy about |
| choose not to fast will not consume in public, but | | | | eating or drinking in public. As some people avoid |
| almost all will refrain from alcohol for the entire | | | | traveling during Ramadan, you may see the hotels |
| month. | | | | and beaches become less crowded. |
| Visitors traveling around the more conservative areas | | | | The last week however becomes a traveling frenzy |
| of central Anatolia, such as Cappadocia and Konya, | | | | as people return home for the big Eid feast. At this |
| will notice shorter restaurant hours, folks fasting and | | | | time it's best to avoid the roads, there are a lot of |
| big family meals at sunset. Alcohol may not be | | | | accidents over these three days due to increased |
| available, (especially in Konya) during the month. | | | | traffic. |
| Eating, Drinking, Smoking and you | | | | Special Celebrations = Food! |
| As tourists, you won't be expected to fast. In some | | | | There's a lot of colour and activity at night during |
| of the more conservative areas hotel kitchens will | | | | Ramadan, particularly around the Blue Mosque in the |
| serve meals during the day, but you might have to | | | | Sultanahmet area of Istanbul. Traditional sweets and |
| enjoy your meals indoors, away from the general | | | | special dishes will appear at cafes and restaurants. |
| public. | | | | Make sure you try the Gulach, a delicate dessert |
| Smoking next to a fasting person would be quite | | | | made with rosewater and walnuts, and the special |
| frowned upon. | | | | wheels of "Ramadan bread" prepared with black |
| Whether you have fasted all day or not, it's almost | | | | sesame seeds. |
| certain you'll be invited to Iftar, the sunset meal that | | | | But is it safe to visit Turkey during Ramadan? |