With the arrival of Ramadan, Turkish Muslims are preparing for the holy month starting from March 1, 2025. The Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs has released the prayer and sahur (pre-dawn meal) timings to guide the faithful during this significant period of fasting and reflection.
On the first day, sahur time will be at 05:33 AM. The iftar (meal for breaking fast) time will be at 18:29 PM, enabling thousands of families to come together for this cherished tradition. These timings vary slightly as the month progresses, ensuring respectful observance of fasting across all communities.
For the first day of Ramadan, additional cities also have their specific timings: Elazığ will start sahur at 05:27 AM and iftar at 18:22 PM. Similarly, Siirt’s community will hold their first sahur at 05:17 AM and break their fast at 18:12 PM. These times are part of a larger table provided by the Diyanet, which details the daily timings throughout Ramadan.
The commencement of Ramadan is not only about adhering to specific timings but is also imbued with significance for the Muslim community. Each day begins with the intention defined by prayers such as: "Allahummec'al siyamî fîhi siyam'es-saimîn ve giyamî fîhi giyam'el-gâimîn..." which invokes the day's fasting and prayer to be among those who earnestly worship.
During Ramadan, the emphasis on community and compassion is pronounced. Ali Erbaş, the head of the Diyanet, remarked on the importance of Ramadan as both an opportunity for personal reflection and communal responsibility, stating, "Yapılan iyiliklerin kat kat karşılık bulacağı inancıyla bizlere, hem Rabb'imize ve kendimize hem de çevremize ve diğer insanlara karşı sorumluluklarımızı bir kez daha gözden geçirme fırsatı verir." This highlights the intertwining of faith, charitable acts, and social responsibility during this holy month.
Health professionals are also part of the discussion this Ramadan, reminding individuals to practice healthy eating habits to maintain their well-being. Dietitian Tuğçe Arabalı advises breaking the fast with light foods such as soup or salad and encouraging hydration throughout the day. Recommendations include drinking at least 10 glasses of water between iftar and sahur to replenish fluids. "Kahve, çay ve kola gibi kafeinli içeceklerden kaçının çünkü susuzluğa yol açabilir," Arabalı cautions, stressing the need for careful dietary choices.
The social dynamics of Ramadan also reflect on the shared experience of fasting; it is not just about abstaining from food, but it creates unity among families and communities who participate together. The preparations for oruç (fasting) involve discussions about meals and the planning of teravih (night prayers) services, with many opting to gather at mosques for communal prayers.
Diyanet has also announced the schedule for teravih prayers throughout the holy month, providing specific times for major cities to accommodate increased attendance, as many participants seek to deepen their faith through additional prayers and community activities.
All of these elements contribute to the sanctity of Ramadan and its ability to transform both individual lives and communities. It fosters values of generosity, discipline, and spirituality, where faithful hope to be inspired by the teachings of the Quran revealed during this period.
Overall, Ramadan serves as both challenge and opportunity. It presses individuals to reflect on their lives, make resolutions based on the teachings of Islam, and actively seek to help others during this blessed month. The hope is for Ramadan 2025 to encapsulate these sentiments and promote joy, reflection, and goodwill across Turkey.