Secularism and Religion, Religious Practices, Public Holidays

Turkey is a secular country that has no official religion. There is complete separation of state affairs and religious affairs. More than 99 percent of the population is Muslim, and while the majority is Sunni, about a quarter is Alevi (these are different religious sects). The rest of the population belongs to other faiths; mainly Christianity (Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Syriac Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant) and Judaism. Consequently, there are of churches and synagogues scattered throughout the country, although of course these are much fewer in number in comparison to mosques.

Mosques are where practicing Muslims can go to pray; the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer from the minarets of mosques five times a day. Friday noon prayers are the most important as this is the day of worship for Islam, like Sunday is for Christians and Saturday is for Jews. Worshipping together with the congregation during religious holidays is also considered important. Women can worship together with men in mosques, but say their prayers in a separate area. Mosques are where funeral prayers are said, with the deceased in a closed coffin, after which the burial takes place in a graveyard, with loved ones in attendance who, if they wish, may participate in shovelling earth to bury the deceased.

There are two major religious (Islamic) holidays celebrated in Turkey. The Islamic calendar is lunar, so their dates come forward every year by about 13 days.

The first is called “Ramazan Bayrami” in Turkish, and marks the end of Ramadan, a month-long period when many Muslims, including those that don’t practice Islam regularly fast during the day and abstain from alcohol. This holiday is also known as the “Candy Festival” as children often go around their neighbourhoods, knocking on doors to collect candy, and candy and chocolates are offered to guests that visit friends and family during this three-day public holiday. Banks, businesses and all governmental offices are closed during this time.

The second is called “Kurban Bayrami” in Turkish, which translates as the “Festival of Sacrifice” and is meant to commemorate the story of Abraham and his son Isaac, when God asked the father to sacrifice his son. Households that can afford it and find it appropriate will sacrifice a sheep, and distribute its meat to the poor and needy, or to charities. This is a four-day holiday and again all banks, businesses and governmental offices are closed during this time.

Turkey also celebrates a number of non-religious public holidays to mark milestones in the War of Independence fought to establish modern-day Turkey and the founding of the Republic: