Iyi Bayramlar – Kurban Bayram

Iyi Bayramlar, or Happy Bayram! 

From Friday, November 27 at midnight until 23.59 on Sunday, November 29, business stops for Kurban Bayram, a holiday that is celebrated by Muslims worldwide.

 It is also referred to as the Festival of Sacrifice, or sometimes the Baqri Eid (cow festival), and in some countries it is known as Eid al Adha.

The festival commemorates the Islamic prophet Ibrahim, sacrificing a ram -  in place of his son Ismael -  as an act of obedience to God.

The banks close at lunch time on Thursday November 26 and reopen on Tuesday, December 1.

It is traditional for followers to wear their finest clothes as they attend prayer meetings during this festival. 

Those who can afford to do so will sacrifice an animal – usually a goat, sheep or cow. An important part of this festival is the sharing of the meat, and in particular consideration is given at this time to those who have less.

In modern Turkey, however, there are some who prefer to give money to the less fortunate rather than slaughter an animal.