August 29th, 2009 
admin Hello friends,
About Ramadan
We are in the first week of Ramadan. Ramadan (Ramazan in Turkish) is a holy month for muslims. In these days, muslims fast and have extra deeds to be better muslims and take care of their actions. Fasting is a total abstinence of food and liquids from dawn to sunset during the entire month of Ramadan. Married muslims also have to refrain from intimate relationship from dawn to sunset during this period. Muslims can still enjoy all of these things during the night time, from sunset to dawn. We usually eat a meal right after sunset called “Iftar” and another light meal right before dawn called “Sahur” (Sahoor). The purpose of fasting is to acquire the concept of Taqwa. Taqwa might be defined as self control, self-restraint, self-discipline, self-obedience, self-training, self-consciousness, self-education and self-evaluation. Fasting does help the person to improve himself physically, biologically, mentally, psychologically, and spiritually. I wish all muslims to get those benefits.
Ramadan is one of the months of the muslim calendar( hijri calendar). Muslim calendar accepts Prophet Mohammad ‘s hegira ( immigration) from Makkah to Madina as beginning and it is a lunar calendar. There is 11 days difference between lunar calendar and solar calendar. Thus, Ramadan month comes 11 days earlier every next year. These days have long daytime when we compared to winter days but no matter Allah helps believers. So Ramadan is not a stable time , it comes in different seasons and in different months in solar calendar. Furthermore, if Ramadan is starting in August in this year, it will start in August again 33 years later.
Ramadan time in Istanbul
There are some traditions that I would like to mention to you in Ramadan time in Istanbul and Turkiye.
Ramadan drum is also a nice tradition. Drummer, who is a guy, plays drum as much as noisy he can at sahur( time at somewhere after mid-night and before dawn) to awake people for having meal, that meal is a deed of Ramadan. Ramadan drum is a tradition that comes from Ottoman Empire time. As you see, in that time people were living in small houses.People at home could easily hear the sound of drum and wake up. Also, everyone doesn’t have the alarm clock like us today and there weren’t a lot of alarm clocks that is “made in China” 
. Nowadays, sound of drum can still be heard and car alarms and dog barkings accompany Ramadan drum too due to its affect. So, that makes it funny.
A few days ago, something made me laughing at about 3:00 am, I got up at that sahur time by hearing the sound of drum and went to window to watch the drummer. But, I saw it was first time, there are two guys on a scooter and one was riding and rear one playing the drum. It was unusual and funny.
People generally visit famous or important mosques in Ramadan time. So, Sultanahmet Square, Eyup Mosque and some other places are full of people during Ramadan. Iftar tent has also been a tradition in Istanbul and some other cities in Turkiye. Local municipalities set up those tents to serve meal to poor people or people who aren’t able to reach home on time. There are also many Ramadan food traditions and other religious traditions but I won’t mention about them now.
Cilck for 2009 istanbul ramadan schedule
Please leave your comments regarding Ramadan in Istanbul, many thanks.
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Hi Friend,
I found your webpages with comments about Istanbul and Ramadam (Ramazan?). Well done; informative and useful as well as personal. Thanks.
I have a question. I will be heading to the airport tomorrow to travel to Istanbul; so maybe I won’t see your reply. My fault, but I just found your site.
However, I will ask anyway and hope for the best.
What is expected of a non-Muslim visitor to Istanbul during Ramadan? I am not Muslim, but wish to show respect for the Muslim.
Thank you.
Mike
[...] This post was Twitted by myistanbulguide [...]
Hello Mr. Ciborowski,
Thank you for your comment about web-site. I hope I can do better.
For your question, first of all I appreciate you approaching “wish to show respect”. As a non-muslim, people will not expect you to not to eat, drink or others. But, if you empathy towards fasting people, they may be thirsty or hungry or need to smoke, especially if he/she is a teenager. Someone shouldn’t make it harder for them. If you take care of your eating, drinking, smoking (if you smoke) when fasting people around, it would be best of you. Publicly, you will see not all people fast. Lastly, people won’t expect you to not to drink or eat, but if you take care of them, they will muchly appreciate it. I hope, you can read this before leaving. I wish a nice trip.
Salaam Alaykum. I would LOVE to spend Ramadhan in Turkey some time, InshaAllah. Sounds BEAUTIFUL. Cok guzel. MashaAllah. Thanks for the info.
Alaikum Salaam. I am glad that you like the article. I either like to spend Ramadan in Istanbul very much. Insha Allah, May Allah give you that you wish.
Salaams, Are the mosques in Istanbul traditionally opened throughout the night during Ramadan or at least the last ten days?
Inshah Allah, I hope to be in Istanbul for the first ten days of Ramadan and may be the 21-23rd of Ramadan.
Wasalaam
Mohamed Hassan Maidin
Alaikum Salaam,
Mosques are not open during night in Turkey in out of Ramadan.But in Ramadan,they get closed after Taraweeh prayer and opened 1-1,5 hour earlier before fajr prayer in Ramadan. In 27th night of Ramadan( which is widely accepted as Qadr Night in Turkey), there are some mosques open after Taraweeh, like Sultanahmet Cami (Blue Mosque), and Eyup Sultan Mosque. These mosques are designated by Religious Affairs body of Turkey. Also, there are some mosques which are open for last ten days of Ramadan (maybe you ask for itiqaf), but they are not certain yet. Diyanet( Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkish Republic), probably will issue a statement about mosques for itiqaf in next days.
Experiencing Ramadan in Istanbul would be wonderful, I hope you enjoy it.
Travel advice: Ramadan in Istanbul
Salaam Alaikum
Thanks for your advice in reference to the Mosque Opening Hours during Ramadan.
Alhamdillah it was privilege to spend first 10 days in Istanbul during this year’s Ramadan. All around the world, Ramadan is marked in a special way according to one’s custom and culture. In Istanbul, Ramadan was no different and unique on its own right. The breaking of fast (iftar time) on the grounds adjacent to the Blue Mosque (Hippodrome) was an experience to remember. We went on a Saturday and the atmosphere was more like a ‘picnic’ with families, couples or friends coming together sharing home made food and drinks. There were also street vendors selling anything from food to clothes. As it was summer, there were still lots of people on the grounds, way after tarawih prayers.
My advice to your travellers apprehensive about travelling to Istanbul during Ramadan is: Please go ahead travel.
Wasalaam
Mohamed Hassan Maidin
Alaikum Salaam brother,
Thank you very much for taking time and sharing with us. And yes, your advice is truly great.
Are the main tourist places opened during the Ramadan? I heard the Grand Bazaar and some mosquees are closed? Is this true? And is it not too hot in august too travel to Istanbul?
Hello Tony,
Ramadan is not a vacation/break time so everywhere will be open. I haven’t heard and searched again and no, Grand Bazaar and mosques will be open. Also, you will see some festive like attractions related to Ramadan around Sultanahmet. Thus, Ramadan is a good time to visit Istanbul.
Generally, July and August are the hottest months of the year in Istanbul. But, still it won’t be bad. Also, it depends on which country are you from. Istanbul climate is not too hot in summer. Wish you best times in Istanbul.
Dear Turkey friends,
I am a Non Muslim wants to go as a tourist to Istanbul in the holly month of Ramadan.
Please advise/guide with regard to eating food and drinking beer on day time. Are they available?
I hope all touristic places are open in Ramadan.
I appreciate your guidance of the above.
Assalamo Alaikum,
I want to stopover for 2-3 days in Istanbul during my travel to Karachi. I could this either in last week of August( Ramadan) vs last week of september 2011. I will be with my 2 kids (age 5 and 16 months) and wife. Both of us will be fasting Inshallah during Ramadan. We are wondering is it feasible to visit in Ramadan while fasting, because touring these places must involve a lot of walking. Or we should do it after Ramadan. How long would be the fasting day. I will appreciate your advise.
Thanks
Hello Dear Rao,
You are very welcome to visit Istanbul. Istanbul is a cosmopolitan city. It is a sum of Turkey too. Therefore, people who are from different cults, religions and believes live here. So, restaurants, shops, cafes, patisseries and etc. are all open in Ramadan time too. Almost all facilities are open in Ramadan as they would open in anytime.
There is no break for touristic attractions too, you can visit them as you could any time.
We hope this helps and thank you for nice comment.
Wish you best travel in Istanbul.
Alaikum Salaam Dear Br. Muhammad,
We will probably release a time-table for Ramadan 2011 at soon, so you can check the exact fasting times later. And for now, at the last week of August, fasting time will be around 4:25(pre-dawn) and 20:00 (sunset). Therefore fasting time will be about 15,5 hours. As you know, Ramadan month comes in summer months in north semisphere in these years. It is obviously your preference and convenience, but August also will be hot too, as one of the summer months. On the other hand, it would be nice to be around Sultanahmet and having an accommodation there, hence you could go many touristic attractions by some walking. Also, you can choose to go out in the morning and after midday due to evade hot daytime. Furthermore, I would really suggest you experiencing sunset (iftar time) in Sultanahmet and listening to call to prayer (Adhan) to feel the grace of Allah(God). You will see many groups of people are rushing to the restaurants and free public areas to break their fast. Because having iftar( inside or outside) around Sultanahmet has become a custom among turkish people.
I hope this helps and thank you for nice comment.
Thanks for your reply. I know it will be tough roaming arround in hot summer month while fasting, but on the other hand I want to experience the Adhan and iftar at Blue mosque with locals. Hoping I will make my mind soon after discussing with my family.
Thanks again for your help. This is great forum for those who are visiting Istanbul. Ramadan Mubarak in advance.
Muhammad
You are welcome. You are very right that it is wonderful to experience Adhan and iftar around Sultanahmet Mosque with locals.
Ramadan Mubarak to you and your family in advance too!
Salam Friend,
My gf and I will be visiting Istanbul from mid July to the mid of Ramadan and we have some questions. I guess you have answered similar questions over and over again but we just want ask them again and make sure so we do not disrespect any of the Turkish and Islamic customs.
1. I am a non-Muslim but my girlfriend who would be travelling with me is an American Muslim. Is it legally and socially acceptable for an unmarried couple where the girl is Muslim to stay together in a hotel.
2. Our tickets and hotel will be paid by my company. How much money is ideally enough for tourism, eating, drinking and souvenirs for a one month stay.
3. I understand it is polite not to eat/drink or smoke in public during the fasting time in Ramadan. Is alcohol permitted after sunset and is it allowed to smoke in doors since it would not be polite to smoke outside. We just want to make sure we do not do anything to hurt the sentiments of the people around us.
4. We are planning on staying in Taksim or Sultanahmet. One restaurant we read about online and hope to visit is Eda Ocakbaşi (Kebab House «Eda»)Kaya Sultan Sk. No:73 (corner of Kaya Sultan Sk. with çevre yolu streets)34742 Kozyataği – Kadıköy Istanbul. Is if feasible to travel by road to this place because the person who reviewed the restaurant travelled by ferry.
5. We would also appreciate if you could tell us some other good places for authentic Turkish food and tourism.
I would really appreciate all your help. All the Best and Ramadan Mubarak.
Salaam,
It is pleasure to help
1. Yes, When you reach to a hotel, this won’t be a problem. You won’t see any hassle about that. It is leagally okay and hotels would never question that.
2. This depends on your life-style and behavior, as you presumably knew. First of all, USD has higher conversion rate to TL (Turkish Lira, currency) nowadays, so you have a bit advantage on this. Food and beverages aren’t expensive actually. BUt that depends on the location. You know, there is cheap and expensive sides of the city. Public transportation is very cheap and also taxi-fares are said to be cheap.
3. Drinking alcohol is legal in Turkey. So if you drink, it is not a problem in daytime or night. Also, smoking indoors (public places) are banned by law such as cafes, restaurants, bars and so on.
4. Yes, I too would suggest you to take the ferry, then take a cab otherwise you need to pay much money for the taxi fare. I can say you that, you can make all of the transportation cost at least half by choosing ferry and taxi instead of only taxi.
5. Please see http://www.myistanbulguide.com/general/eat-delicious-food-in-istanbul
Please take this as a quick response. Your questions lead us to tell more about some issues as many others too may need to know.
You can also consider to have short trips to near attraction points around Istanbul.
I appreciate your great-hearted approach and I would like to give more deatils via myistanbulguide[@]hotmail.com.
I wish you the best trip!
Asalamualeykum Brother
You said mosques are closed after Isha prayer in Istanbul. So does that mean there is no Taraweeh prayer in mosques all over Istanbul?
Alaikum Salaam Dear Sister,
I get the point which makes it confusing. Thank you for allowing us to make it clear.
Yes, Taraweeh prayer is being performed in every mosque, in Turkey. So, mosques get closed after Taraweeh prayer.