Turkish Hospitality Blew Me Away | Ramadan in Turkey

Turkish hospitality was highlighted during Ramadan. But what are the rules for Ramadan, why do muslims fast, and what’s it like to visit Turkey during the Islamic holy month? My cycle tour through Turkey, and visits to Istanbul, Aksaray, and Rize, coincided with Ramadan, a religious period I’d known embarrassingly little about before my arrival...

With the incredible Turkish hospitality I experienced, a hair-raising cycle into Istanbul, and my sense of awe at the sheer scale of the city and the diversity of Turkish culture, cycling through Turkey was unforgettable. I’d often questioned whether I’d make it this far, and, as I stood at the edge of the bosporus strait in Istanbul, gazing across the choppy waters to Asia, it was impossible to resist the urge to smile. I’d cycled 4,500km through 9 countries and, at long last, I was finally on the Middle East's and Asia's doorstep.

I was cycle touring in Turkey during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. I’d known embarrassingly little about the Islamic holy month prior to my journey, considering where I was going and when, but that was about to change.

Muslims who take part in the holy month fast for 29-30 days, not eating or drinking anything from a few hours before sunrise to sunset. Some told me that Ramadan rules mean you’re also not allowed to smell flowers while you’re fasting, although I found conflicting reports when I searched online. In the early hours of the morning, the ezan - the islamic call to prayer that’s played from mosque minarets five times a day - signals the beginning of the fast. When you hear the evening ezan, that means it’s iftar - time to break the fast.

What is the real meaning of Ramadan? The islamic holy month of fasting, or Oruç, is meant to teach people to be grateful for what they have, and to help them understand what those less fortunate than them are going through. Turkey has a fairly religious, largely Sunni Muslim population, so most people I met there were fasting. Many were eager to explain Ramadan to a non-muslim. They told me what Ramadan meant to them and outlined the rules they follow during Ramadan.

Along with Kırklareli, Istanbul, and Kayseri, I stopped in Rize, in Turkey's Black Sea Region, to learn about Ramadan (Rize is Turkey's tea capital, the hometown of President Erdoğan, and birthplace of the Horon folk dance).

Facts about Islam and Ramadan I learned while in Turkey:

During the month of fasting, Ramadan drummers wander around town late at night to wake people up, ensuring they don’t miss their last chance to eat before fasting.

The ezan often sounds like it’s echoing. That’s because the time of the Islamic call to prayer depends on the position of the sun, so, in neighbouring villages, it starts a few seconds apart, giving the effect of an echo that seems to start on one side of you, before surrounding you.

Ramadan rules are flexible. E.g. people travelling more than 90km from home do not have to fast, and just add one day of fasting after Ramadan (or more depending on how long they were travelling).

You are not allowed to have sex in the fasting hours during Ramadan.

There are some exemptions from fasting during Ramadan; if you take important medications during the day or are sick, you do not have to fast. Women are forbidden from fasting when pregnant and when on their periods.

If you break the rules during Ramadan, you must fast for an extra 60 days some time after Eid al-fitr.

After Sunni Muslims, Alevi Muslims are the largest Islamic denomination found in Turkey. Alevi Muslims, who are neither Sunni nor Shi’ite, do not fast during Ramadan, and instead fast for the Ten Days of Muharram.

People focus on fasting and prayer during Ramadan, but also give to charity. Fitrana is a donation of food Muslims make before Eid al-fitr at the end of the islamic holy month of ramadan.

Ramadan culminates with Eid al-fitr, when the standard greeting changes from "Ramadan Mubarak" to "Eid Mubarak".

The date of Ramadan changes each year because The islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, made up of 12 lunar months based on the moon cycle. Every year Ramadan’s date shifts backwards relative to the Gregorian calendar by about 11 days.

In the Islamic calendar, a month is 29 days so long as the Crescent Moon is visible on the evening of the 29th day. If not, a 30th day is added to the month.

The colour green is important in Islam, as it symbolises nature and life.

But if you really want to understand Ramadan, don’t just watch this video; go and ask someone who actually fasts for Ramadan what it means to them!

00:00-03:35 - Arriving in Turkey & Cycling into Istanbul
03:36-06:12 - Turkish Hospitality
06:13-16:24 - Ramadan in Turkey

[arizonad]

As Serbian I can tell that we inherited hospitality from Turks.Serbia was under Ottoman Empire almost 5 centuries.And among amazing food and a bit of genes :) :) :), we did inherit their friendliness which am thankful for.

[Baandera-]

"Komşusu açken tok yatan bizden değildir.’ is a common saying in Turkey which translates to "He who sleeps with a full stomach while his neighbor is hungry is not one of us (muslims)" and every Guests should be treated as Guests sent by Allah therefore we can't do anything but be generous, welcoming and caring. Especially the small villages around the major Cities.. these people are the most generous people you'll meet

[aysunan]

I cried and laughed while watching. Thank you for sharing this. ❤

[ninkiminjaj]

this deserves so much more recognition ❤️🇹🇷

[ismaildoganay]

I really liked your video. I am a student in America and there is a presentation called "the tradition of the your country". I will present the hospitality of the Turkish people and I would like to share your video in my presentation. Thank you for explaining the hospitality of Turkish people to the world.

[woulinx]

wow🤩 is this your shots originally? if it is super cool man keep it up you are a professional👍and being cycler or motorcycler in Turkiye is hard as you experienced 😄

[UnforgiveNCNR]

Only thing irritated me is that desert song started playing you were riding in Istanbul. We dont ride camels and not Arabs. Thank you 🙏

[ike]

Surreal for Sure. Like a mixed European and Asian culture that's something else. Geez!!!!

[missshahkhalid]

Where is situated that beautiful mosque on the peak of mountain