Let’s learn more about Ramadan in Turkey (or, as they pronounce it, Ramazan)! First of all, if you are a tourist visiting Turkey during this month, take into consideration that drummers will wake you up quite early! They let people know that it’s time to eat and drink before fasting begins (Sahur.) Once they break fast at sunset, known as iftar, they eat dates, as Muhammad, and they have a lot of salads, meat, soups, muhallebi (a milk pudding with rose water) or Ramazan pidesi, a type of bread. During this month, they also pray and give alms, a practice that is called zekat in Turkish. One thing to consider is that not all Muslims fast during Ramadan. Although most Turkish Muslims are Sunni and do fast, the Alevi population doesn’t do so. Still, it’s important to know that the Quran establishes certain exemptions from fasting: kids, elderly people, those who are sick, lactating, menstruating, or pregnant women. Even so, many of them do fast because they find that this practice is good for their health and for their inner balance. In Turkey, you’ll also enjoy the mosques, as they are illuminated beautifully!