Wedding rush before start of Ramadan

“Today’s Zaman” reports a wedding rush in Turkey as couples line up to wed before the start of Ramadan.  Store owners throughout Turkey are said to be “happy” with pre-marriage sales and no wonder;  the size of the marriage market in Turkey has reached a whopping 6 billion TL (about $4,000,000 CAD)

Ramadan (also known as Ramadhan or Ramzan) is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a period of prayer, fasting, charity-giving and self-accountability for Muslims.  It is believed that he first verses of the Koran (Qu’ran) were revealed to the Prophet Mohammad during the last third of Ramadan, making this an especially holy period for Muslims.

This year, Ramadan in Turkey is August 11 to September 9.  If you will be in Turkey during this time, you are respectfully reminded to smoke, eat and drink discreetly during daylight hours as many around you will have not eaten or let anything pass their lips from before sunrise.

I love being in Turkey during Ramadan and especially for the Bayram, which follows the month of fasting and comprises a ten day feast of celebration.  My favourite memory of Ramadan in Istanbul is watching the children, sitting with their families at tables in Sultanahmet Park, beside the Blue Mosque, savouring their soon-to-be meal.  You can feel the excitement in their eyes and the pride in their parents’ eyes as they wait for the call to prayer that announces sunset … and the start of feasting.

Enjoy Ramadan in Turkey, for it comes only once a year and you are fortunate to be able to experience it during your trip!