The fasting month of Ramadan is an important and special occasion for Muslims around the world. Every year, Muslims spend the month fasting from sunrise to sunset and reflecting on the teachings of the Qur’an, the sacred scripture of Islam. For many, Ramadan is also a time of spiritual renewal. For people living in Istanbul, Turkey, the start date of Ramadan changes from year to year.
In 2021, Ramadan will begin on Tuesday April 13th and it will finish on Wednesday May 12th. However, in the past years, the dates of Ramadan have varied significantly depending upon the sighting of the new moon. According to Islamic calendar the start and end dates of Ramadan are determined when a new moon is sighted. Therefore, as Ramadan is based on a lunar calendar, the exact date of start and end of Ramadan changes from year to year depending on the sighting of new moon.
To accurately determine the beginning of Ramadan, experts in Turkey use the terms ‘hilal’ and ‘rukye’. Hilal is the new crescent moon that appears after the new moon phase and marks the beginning of Ramadan in Turkey. Rukye is the observation of a new Crescent moon or Hilal, this is done to determine the start of Ramadan and other special days in the Islamic calendar.
According to Maulana Muhammad Monawar Hussain, a religious leader in Istanbul, it is important to use the Hilal and Rukye process to ensure accuracy, as the Islamic calendar is different compared to the Gregorian calendar, which most countries follow. He explains: “It takes time for the sighting of the new moon or Hilal and Rukye to be completed before the date of the start of Ramadan can be fixed. This process always takes place before the start of Ramadan and is essential to ensure accuracy and to avoid discrepancies”.
The Hilal and Rukye methodology also helps to maintain harmony and unity between diverse Muslim sects and populations in Istanbul. This is because it ensures that everyone is following the same timeline when celebrating or observing Ramadan. This is often important for people observing special occasions in Ramadan, such as Eid-al-Fitr, during which it is encouraged to celebrate with family and friends.
For Istanbul residents, it is important to be aware of the start date of Ramadan so that they can prepare for the month ahead. This includes making sure they have enough time to purchase food and supplies to break their fast after the sun sets, practicing themselves for fasting by curbing their intake and mindful eating leading up to Ramadan and setting aside time for prayer.
Ramadan is an important time for Istanbul’s Muslim population and the Hilal and Rukye methodology is essential to ensuring a successful start of the Holy Month. This is done to encourage unity, prayer and reflection among Muslims, helping to create a sense of spiritual and communal renewal.
The Significance of Ramadan in Istanbul
Ramadan has been celebrated in Istanbul for centuries. Some of the city’s oldest Islamic landmarks remain to this day, from Suleymaniye Mosque – built by the Ottoman Sultan Suleyman I and located at the Golden Horn – to the Blue Mosque, located in Sultanahmet Square. Istanbul’s historical Islamic sites are also a reminder of the city’s rich religious culture and traditions.
The month of Ramadan in Istanbul is marked with festive activities, such as prayers, fasting, charitable giving and gathering for meals. During Ramadan, Istanbul’s residents come together in mosques, homes and neighbourhood streets to celebrate the special occasion. Special markets, bazaars, and competitions often take place during the month. Popular foods include seviye, a noodle dish, bazlama, a flatbread, and assorted Turkish desserts are enjoyed. Eid-al-Fitr is also celebrated with much fanfare, marking the end of Ramadan.
In recent years, Ramadan has become a special time for tourists visiting Istanbul. Tourists take the opportunity to visit Istanbul’s ancient shrines and mosques, such as the Hagia Sophia, as well as partake in the festivities outside. It is often during Ramadan that visitors have the chance to immerse themselves in the city’s culture and history, as well as foster a sense of understanding and shared humanity.
Impact of Ramadan in 2021
The COVID-19 global pandemic has put restrictions on many aspects of everyday life for people living in Istanbul and around the world. This includes religious events like Ramadan. As a result, Istanbul’s residents should be aware and proactive in following the rules and regulations regarding public health and safety, so that the month of Ramadan can be celebrated responsibly.
The interior minister in Turkey has imposed restrictions on the number of people who can enter mosques during Ramadan, and is likely to limit the number of people who can attend iftar meals. Crowds are being encouraged to keep their distance and masks are mandatory in public places. Istanbul municipal authorities are also taking the initiative to provide hand sanitizers, face masks and gloves in mosques and other public places so that people can observe Ramadan safely and responsibly.
In other places, such as shopping malls, cafes and restaurants, social distancing and hygiene guidelines are also being enforced. To ensure health and safety, many of Istanbul’s traditional Ramadan activities have been cancelled or moved online to comply with restrictions.
Ultimately, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on Istanbul’s Muslims this Ramadan, forcing them to adjust to different ways of celebrating the holy month. This includes finding new ways to connect with family and friends, as well as for prayer, iftar and suhoor meetings.
Ramadan’s Impact on Mental Health
The month of Ramadan brings physical challenges but also mental and emotional ones. Muslim communities in Istanbul are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues this Ramadan due to the ongoing pandemic.
Many individuals are worried about their economic standing, particularly since the economic effects of the pandemic have been felt for over a year now. Mental health also takes a toll with the lack of face-to-face interaction with family and friends due to self-isolation and social distancing.
Additionally, individuals often use the time of Ramadan to reflect and to become spiritually closer to God. However, in times of a pandemic, this process can be more difficult due to the lack of communal religious activities, such as iftar meals and taraweeh prayer, which is a prayer performed after Isha.
This year, mental health experts in Istanbul have collaborated with the local government and religious leaders to provide psychological support, especially for people living alone or who have lost family members to the pandemic. Ramadan initiatives have been launched to provide individuals with mental health resources and psychological support.
To counter loneliness, Istanbul’s mosques are providing virtual iftar meals for those who cannot physically attend due to the pandemic, as well as virtual taraweeh prayer sessions. Additionally, families are encouraged to create virtual or makeshift iftar tables so that family members can interact and feel part of the same environment, even if they are not physically together.
2020 Ramadan Memories
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Istanbul’s Muslims experienced a Ramadan unlike any other. For many, the month was spent in self-isolation, social distancing and with the awareness of health and safety upfront before every activity.
The economic pressures associated with the ongoing pandemic had an immense effect on the city’s Muslims, leading many to drop traditional Ramadan practices that relied upon excess consumption. This led to meaningful conversations about the significance of Ramadan and examining how it is celebrated around the world.
Many Ramadan 2020 initiatives took place to help those in need. For example, volunteers in Istanbul distributed food and essentials to those who were affected by the pandemic. This included the provision of delivery services for iftar and suhoor meals for those unable to leave their homes safely due to health risk.
This year, the spirit of Ramadan lives on in Istanbul, with volunteers and organisations continuing to organise similar initiatives to those of 2020. These include providing different packages for people affected by the pandemic, including the elderly, children and families.
In 2021, Ramadan in Istanbul is set to be celebrated in a different context compared to past years. Nevertheless, it remains an important spiritual event for the city’s Muslims, and is an opportunity for reflection, gratitude and solidarity.
