Eid al-Fitr [Ramazan Bayramı] celebration rituals
The Eid al-Fitr festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor everywhere in line with its sheer spirit and significance for Muslims.
In Turkey, people dress up in clothes bought specially for the Eid festivities and attend prayer services,
*visit their relatives,neighbors and loved ones.
* Eid is also an occasion of remembrance for loved ones who are no longer with us.
* In addition to visiting family and friends, Turks also set aside time to visit cemeteries to pay their respects and pray at the graves of loved ones.
* The doors of many orphanages and shelters are also opened to welcome visits from the public.
* An important Eid custom is kissing the right hand of elders and placing it to one’s forehead while expressing wishes like “Bayramınız Mübarek Olsun” (May Your Bayram Be Holy). This is done as a token of respect towards old age. Gifts are also exchanged on the festive occasion of Eid.
* Another name of Eid al-Fitr, which is mostly common among children, is Şeker Bayramı (Holiday of Sweets), as during Eid, children go from house to house and wish everyone a happy festive time in return for which they are presented with small sums of money or little treats like chocolates, candies or traditional sweets such as Turkish Delight. Children also receive money from elders.
But the festive mood in no way overshadows the religious spirit, which is kept alive through charitable acts. Traditionally, each Muslim family gives food to people in need during this time. “I believe that festivals like Eid al-Fitr help bring together people from different social backgrounds to reinforce friendship and solidarity,” noted Öztürk.
from İstanbul Sunday’s Zaman
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