“What is the Festival of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha)?” is a question often asked by foreigners when they visit Istanbul and other cities in Turkey during this festival.
It's time to celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's two sacred events. Those who are celebrating for the first time Holidays in Bayram, Turkey, will definitely be glad to receive additional information about the religious event in this guide.
August 21, 2018 marks the beginning of Eid al-Adha (or Eid al-Adha in Arabic). The four-day holiday is celebrated throughout the Muslim world. Of course, it is considered one of the holiest holidays for Muslims, representing Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son as a sign of loyalty to God, and also marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Based on the Islamic lunar Hijri calendar, Eid al-Adha begins approximately 70 days after the conclusion of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, the dates of which change each year. This year, Eid al-Adha falls from August 21 to 24, next year from August 11 to 14, and in 2020 from July 31 to August 4.
Eid al-Adha itself is celebrated over four days, with the first day officially beginning on Tuesday, August 21. The second day of the holiday will be on Wednesday, August 22 and the third day on Thursday, August 23, with the final and fourth day of the official holiday taking place on Friday, August 24. Eid al-Adha thus takes place during the last three days of the five-day Hajj pilgrimage, one of the most important of the five pillars of Islam, in which 1,5 million Muslims travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, each year.
Time for a family greeting
In general, Eid al-Adha lasts for four and a half days. Since the event is traditionally celebrated with visits from family and friends, locals prepare for the guests on the eve of Eid al-Adha, whether it is cleaning, preparing snacks, trying on their best clothes. Visits traditionally begin with younger family members visiting older relatives. The custom is for the younger family members to kiss the hand of the elder, and then for the elder’s hand to touch their forehead. Most people, however, will kiss the relative on both cheeks and offer holiday wishes by saying “İyi Bayramlar.”
Animal Sacrifice
The most significant element of this festival is that many households participate in the sacrifice of an animal for meat, which is to be slaughtered and distributed among family and community members, as well as those less fortunate. This custom occurs after a special prayer that takes place on the morning of the first day and continues until the third day of the festival. In each district, there are specific places designated as temporary slaughterhouses, where mainly sheep, but also cattle are sacrificed with special prayers from professional butchers who prepare and pack the meat. Some households choose to donate to charities instead.
Most foreigners at commercial resorts in Turkey are unlikely to see animals being sacrificed unless they are off the tourist trail or visiting local villages. Most locals understand that the ritual can cause suffering, so they perform the sacrifices in back gardens and away from tourist eyes.
Traffic during the holiday
This year's holiday, which falls midweek and near the end of summer, will see many people combining trips home or vacations with the weekends that precede and follow the celebration. So this weekend will be the end of the holiday, and public transportation and roads in Turkey are expected to be significantly congested.
Resorts and cities
Resorts tend to be particularly crowded during Bayram, and if you are planning a holiday during this week, make sure to book your hotel accommodation in advance as everything will be fully booked.
Cities are generally quieter as all banks, businesses, schools and government offices are closed for the duration of the holiday. Even though it is an official holiday, many shops and even shopping malls remain closed only on the first day of the holiday. Museums usually have limited hours on the first day of the event and then resume their full schedule on the remaining days. To accommodate all the transportation needs of those traveling with family, additional public transportation services will be offered, with passengers receiving a 50 percent discount.
Treat yourself to something sweet this Eid al-Adha
Lokmata has revolutionised traditional Turkish desserts, resembling a doughnut drenched in syrup and filled with chocolate. A video released by UK Business Insider shows a mouth-watering display of the finished stuffed and fried dough balls, which are now being consumed by more and more people around the world. Fillings include dark, milk and white chocolate, chopped hazelnuts, almonds and even nut cookies. To try a classic lokmata, head to the shop in Akaretla, Besiktas, which reopened on Thursday.
Hümaliva, which has branches in Bebek, Nişantaşı and Bagdat Caddesi, will be open from the first day of Bayram, serving visitors with amazing desserts that resemble works of art made from Belgian chocolate. The dessert “Ben Saxi Degilim”, which translates to “I am not a plant”, is their masterpiece that has already become famous through social media. It consists of fresh fruits, white and milk Belgian chocolate, chocolate dust that resembles dirt and a jelly worm so that the dish looks like a potted plant when served! The establishment also makes fondue, kebabs made from fruits and a variety of chocolates.
