Eid Prayers and Traditions

Muslims begin Eid al-Fitr with a special prayer known as Salat al-Eid. Unlike regular daily prayers, there is no audible call to prayer for this service. Worshippers gather in mosques or open spaces to perform two units of prayer (Rakat), followed by a sermon in which the imam prays for forgiveness, mercy, and peace for all.

It is customary to wear new clothes for the occasion. On the way to the mosque, many Muslims eat something sweet, such as a date, and recite a short prayer known as the takbeer.

Eid is a time of gratitude, with Muslims giving thanks to Allah for the strength and self-discipline they demonstrated during Ramadan. Key elements of the celebration include giving to the poor (Zakat al-Fitr), exchanging Eid greetings, and spending time with family.

Family, Reflection, and Traditions in Türkiye

A central part of Ramazan Bayramı is visiting family, particularly elderly relatives, and showing respect by kissing their hands. Children often go door to door, greeting elders in exchange for sweets and small gifts of money.

Many families also visit the graves of loved ones, paying their respects and reflecting on those who are no longer present to share in the festivities.

Şeker Bayramı – The Sugar Feast

In Türkiye, Ramazan Bayramı is also known as Şeker Bayramı (the Sugar Feast) because sweets and traditional desserts play a major role in celebrations. Shops and supermarkets are often stocked with chocolates and treats in preparation for the holiday.

On the first day, the emphasis is on sweet foods. Baklava and şerbet (sweet syrup-based drinks) are commonly served, alongside treats such as muhallebi (rice pudding) and şeker pare (sweet biscuits). In addition to desserts, a variety of savoury snacks like nuts, seeds, and pulses are also enjoyed.

Key Information for 2025

This year, Ramazan Bayramı will be celebrated from Sunday, March 30, to Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced that the Ramazan holiday will be extended to nine days for public employees. As part of this decision, public sector workers will be on administrative leave from April 2 to April 4, following the official holiday period.

During the holiday, government offices, schools, post offices, banks, and some supermarkets will be closed. Travel can be particularly busy, especially on the first and last days, as people either return to their family homes or head off on holiday.

How to Greet Someone During Ramazan Bayramı

The most common greeting among Muslims on Eid is “Eid Mubarak”, meaning “Blessed Festival”. The appropriate response is “Khair Mubarak”, which conveys good wishes in return.

In Türkiye, you may hear people say:

“Bayramınız Kutlu Olsun” – “May Your Feast Be Blessed”

“İyi Bayramlar” – “Good Holidays” (a simple and widely accepted greeting)

“Ramazan Bayramınız Kutlu Olsun” – “May Your Ramadan Feast Be Blessed”

Whatever the greeting, the spirit of Ramazan Bayramı is one of joy, generosity, and togetherness.

Article updated on 27 March, 2025

The post Ramazan Bayramı – the sweetest holiday of all appeared first on Fethiye Times.

Ramazan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr)

The end of Ramazan is celebrated with a holiday. It starts at sunset on the last day of Ramazan and celebrates the completion of the holy month of fasting.

This year, Ramazan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr) began on Sunday 24 May and will end on Tuesday 26 May.

The government have imposed a four-day curfew in all 81 provinces of Turkey to maintain control of the virus and millions of Muslims are celebrating Ramazan Bayramı at home.

A very different celebration 

Ramazan Bayramı is a time of renewal and Turkey is accustomed to enthusiastic celebrations and big family gatherings, a ritual that dates back all the way to the Ottoman era.

Last year, with many hotels at 100% occupancy over the holiday period, the roads and beaches in and around the area were extremely busy, with the road to Ölüdeniz gridlocked for hours.

This year, the hotels remain closed and the roads are empty.

Turkey’s Muslims visit mosques to offer prayers during the first day of Eid al-Fitr.

This year, the mosques around Turkey ring out the call to prayer but remain empty as, for the first time ever, citizens experience the sadness of not being able to perform the Eid prayer in the mosque.

During the holiday, people visit relatives and friends, and may also go to the graveyards to pay their respect to the deceased. 

This year, the graveyards remain empty. Fresh flowers, some starting to wilt in the heat, bear testament that families have visited their loved ones before the curfew.

It’s an important time for families to be together and the roads are normally full of people doing the rounds of visits to parents, cousins, aunts and in-laws. 

This year, the roads are empty, with the only traffic a tortoise watched by a bemused cat in Taşyaka.

Şeker Bayramı

Ramazan Bayramı is also known as Şeker (Sugar) Bayramı as the emphasis on the first day is on sweet food.

Baklava and şerbet are ever-present; muhallebi (rice pudding) and şeker pare (sweet biscuit) are commonly served. As well as the parade of desserts, there are endless savoury nibbles such as nuts, seeds and pulses.

Baklava and dessert sellers are exempt from the curfew and are offering a takeaway or home delivery service to allow this tradition to continue.

During Ramazan Bayramı it is important to honour the elderly and the younger generation would normally visit the older ones. Kissing the right hand of the elderly and placing it on the forehead is a custom to show respect and greet them for Bayram.

Another tradition is of children going around in their neighbourhood, from door to door and wishing people a happy Bayram. As a reward, they receive candies, chocolates, or even a small amount of money. Another tradition that can’t happen this year!

“Ramazan Bayramınız Mübarek Olsun”

Whilst many people will be spending Eid away from loved ones for the first time ever, we should take comfort in the fact that these are extraordinary circumstances that will, perhaps, never be repeated.

This article was first published on 25 May 2020

The post Ramazan Bayramı – a subdued Eid under curfew appeared first on Fethiye Times.