Although not the same as in Malaysia, Ramadan in Istanbul is also festive – Norlizah
KUALA LUMPUR: At the beginning, a large number of Malaysians who visited Turkiye during Ramadan were quite surprised and felt a ‘culture shock’ when they saw a number of local people freely eating in front of an audience.
The phenomenon is not something foreign and can be seen in shopping centers or local restaurants.
However, when informed about the secular lifestyle of the community, especially in a big city like Istanbul, many people understand it better.
On the other hand, in the city of Konya, the average community is more conservative and practices required by religion are carried out by them.
For the Director of Tourism Malaysia-Istanbul, Norlizah Jahaya, the experience of fasting in the world’s leading tourist city gave her a new perspective on the lifestyle of the community.
Grateful for the opportunity, Norlizah made the most of the time and opportunities available in Istanbul by gathering as much experience as possible abroad.
This year’s Ramadan is celebrated in the spring with temperatures around 10 to 14 degrees Celsius. Muslims there break their fast around 7.40pm while suhoor is usually around 4.30am.
Of course, Norlizah’s story, the atmosphere of Ramadan in Istanbul is much different when compared to the homeland.
“There is no Ramadan market here. Everything is simple here. The community is more comfortable breaking fast at home or at a restaurant.
“Similarly, in mosques, iftar food is prepared outside the mosque to be given to the people who are fasting and the food that is distributed is only bread and milk,” said Norlizah.
The longing of Norlizah and her friends at the Malaysian consulate office for the fasting culture in the homeland, however, was cured when they often gathered for breaking the fast and performed the Tarawih prayer.
If the name is Malaysian, various dishes from the homeland are prepared by officers and staff.
“Alhamdulillah, we often get together and exchange food during the iftar ceremony held at the residence of the consulate officers,” said Norlizah again.
Throughout the month of Ramadan, the city of Istanbul, said Norlizah, is lively with people visiting mosques to perform Taraweeh prayers.
The Tarawih circumcision prayer in this country, explained Norlizah, is performed as many as 20 rak’ats and is held in four rak’ats with one salam, while the Witir circumcision prayer is three rak’ats with one salam.
