Comments on: Ramadan in Istanbul

By: admin

admin — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:04:22 +0000

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.

By: Muna

Muna — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 07:36:33 +0000

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?

By: admin

admin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:58:46 +0000

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!

By: AMDee

AMDee — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:09:59 +0000

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.

By: admin

admin — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 20:21:46 +0000

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!