Where relaxed fasting rules meet religiosity and tradition
Al-Masry Al-Youm (Egypt) – English Edition by Hugo Massa – Sat, 20/08/2011Говорящая открытка. Новый вариант.
Turkey is considered a Muslim country because over 95 percent of its citizens subscribe to Islam, but it is a secular state. This mind-set is likely to be at the root of Turkish society’s less rigorous approach to fasting during the holy month. Eating, drinking and smoking in the streets are not stigmatized and most street-food stands and restaurants are open, especially in Ankara, Istanbul and Antalya.
This mix of religiosity and relaxed fasting rules may lead to surprising situations. “Some people would all of a sudden stop working to pray while they are not fasting. This is unthinkable in other Muslim countries where fasting is much more valued…”
Iftar is considered the appropriate time to eat even for those who do not actually fast. It is common knowledge that trying to find a seat on a restaurant terrace at this time is hopeless.
Unsurprisingly, the race home to break the fast triggers infamous traffic jams in every major city before sunset.
As in other Muslim countries, it is during iftar that the food traditions attached to Ramadan are expressed best. Soups, lentils and vegetables meals make the most of the fast-breaking meal.
In Istanbul, as in Egypt, Ramadan also occupies the city’s soundscape at sahur (as it is spelled in Turkish). At this time, just before dawn, drummers walk the streets to make sure people wake for their last meal before the next day of fasting.
According to a recent article in Britain’s Guardian newspaper, Istanbul’s Ramadan drummers fear their centuries-old tradition is dying out since it is increasingly considered noise-pollution and people have long used alarm clocks and other electronic devices to avoid sleeping through sahur time.
(Şeker)Bayram, the Turkish version of Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of the fast, is a four-day national holiday.
