My Muslim Brother Explained to Me That What He Meant Was That the Germans Would Rise Again
Turkey is 98.half dozen% Muslim. What does that hateful for travelers who may not know much most Islam or the way it'south practiced in Turkey?
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Due in role to how Western media portrays Muslim countries, some travelers may accept concerns about visiting Turkey.
In reality, Islam shapes travelers' experiences in overwhelmingly positive means — through the enduring impressions information technology has left on everything from Turkish foodways to the country'due south iconic architecture.
Islam in Turkey dates back to the eighth century, when Turkic tribes fought aslope Arab Muslims against Chinese forces at the Boxing of Talas in 751 A.D. Spurred past the influence of ruling dynasties, many people converted to Islam over the next few centuries.
Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 as a distinctly secular republic — a key departure between Turkey and countries such as Saudi arabia or Pakistan — just Islam remains inextricably intertwined with Turkish culture.
Turkish children are designated Muslim at birth unless their parents are affiliated with another religion, leading to a population that is 99% Muslim only diverse in how strictly individuals and families discover Islam.
Regardless of where they personally autumn on the spectrum, Turkish people tend to arroyo religion with respect and decorum. Nosotros spoke with Fatih Özkan, from the Süleymaniye Mosque Cultural Info Center, near what you should keep in mind while traveling in Turkey so you can exercise the same.
- Muslim practices in Turkey
- Call to prayer in Turkey
- Ramadan
- Visiting a mosque in Turkey
- Eating and drinking in Turkey
- Other public beliefs to avoid in Turkey
- Religious extremism in Turkey
Muslim practices in Turkey
The virtually prevalent grade of Islam practiced in Turkey is Sunni Islam — some other difference from neighboring countries where about people adhere to Shia Islam. Turkey is also known for its Sufi community, an Islamic mystic tradition associated with the city of Konya and the poet Rumi.
Devotees, known in the Due west as "whirling dervishes" use a spinning movement to deepen their spiritual connexion. Some groups provide demonstrations where visitors can observe this tradition in person.
It'southward good to know the roots of religious traditions but, ultimately, Özkan cautions against putting besides much emphasis on the dissimilar titles and sects of Islam, which the Prophet Mohammed never mentioned and are not in the Koran.
Call to prayer in Turkey
Ane way that observant Muslims evidence their devotion is by praying throughout the day.
In every Turkish city, the call to prayer reverberates from mosque speakers 5 times daily, announcing key tenets of the Islamic faith and reminding Muslims to pray. The kickoff one takes identify before sunrise and admonishes the faithful to remember that " prayer is better than sleep."
When they hear the call, practicing Muslims stop what they're doing, kneel facing Mecca, and pray. Non-Muslims are non expected to partake in this, but there is some etiquette yous should practice when you come across others who do:
- Avoid standing in front of anyone who is praying
- Stay silent during the telephone call
- Requite worshippers their space and refrain from taking pictures of them.
Ramadan
Ramadan, called Ramazan in Turkey, is a month-long flow of fasting that Muslims effectually the world observe each year, usually in May and June. (The bodily dates vary according to the Islamic lunar agenda.) Participants eschew food and beverages — this includes water — from sunrise to sunset, breaking their daily fast with a celebratory meal, or iftar .
Taking part in the fast "is a kind of praying," explains Özkan, and people who do are intentionally "kind of starving" as a style to build empathy. "They are trying to understand what poor people experience. Otherwise, how can we empathise that?"
No one expects visiting foreigners to fast – many Turks don't. Just if, during Ramadan, you happen to be traveling in whatsoever Muslim country — or even a predominantly Muslim community or neighborhood — you tin be courteous by non eating and drinking in public during the day. Opt for indoor seating in restaurants and if you need water, sip it discreetly. At sunset, head to restaurants to sample special breadstuff, dates, and other delicacies that are traditionally served at the iftar repast.
Visiting a mosque in Turkey
Visiting a mosque is i of the best ways to acquire about Muslim culture and experience unparalleled examples of Islamic architecture and pattern, which is typified by precious stone tones, gilt embellishment, and constellations of geometric patterns. Many historic mosques, including the Süleymaniye Mosque where Özkan works, are part of larger complexes that once included schools, cemeteries, and shops.
Mosques are open to all visitors except during prayer times. (Non-Turkish Muslim travelers are always free to join in prayers, says Özkan.) You can besides engage registered guides for an educational tour of mosques like Aya Sofya, the Blue Mosque, and Kariye Mosque.
During prayer, the Süleymaniye Mosque Cultural Info Eye offers twenty-minute presentations about Turkish culture, with gratis tea or Turkish coffee — and sometimes fifty-fifty soup and baklava, says Özkan. The eye's volunteers are also available within the mosque to answer questions about the history and architecture of this hit infinite.
When entering a mosque, both men and women need to have their legs covered and shoes removed. Women are expected to embrace their heads with a scarf. (Don't worry if y'all forget; most mosques take scarves yous can infringe.)
Note that many Muslims come up to mosques to pray or read the Koran or just relax in a sacred space fifty-fifty outside scheduled prayer times. Respect them by refraining from public displays of amore, taking pictures of them, or engaging in confusing and loud beliefs.
Eating and drinking in Turkey
Islam does have some guidelines for food and potable, but they are unlikely to affect travelers, especially in major cities like Istanbul.
Pork is non widely available and very few restaurants serve information technology. Alcohol, on the other hand, is, even though Islam technically prohibits intoxicants.
That being said, Özkan suggests having "clear limits" when you are drinking in public. Keep it close to your hotel if y'all can and understand that no one really wants to deal with drunk, rowdy foreigners.
Other public behavior to avoid in Turkey
In improver to public drunkenness, public displays of affection are non customary in Turkey. While kissing both cheeks is a typical greeting, kissing on the mouth is considered private.
"Muslims in Turkey and by and large [in the] Islamic world, they go on these touches [and] concrete things in their houses," says Özkan.
Turkish women also tend to dress more than modestly than their Western counterparts, particularly in conservative communities like Fatih or Uskudar in Istanbul or smaller towns and villages. That being said, Özkan believes that men should refrain from staring at women — something male travelers should also keep in heed during their time in Turkey.
"Allah created u.s.a. and… we have a freedom" of behavior, he says, but "that complimentary volition brings united states of america responsibility."
Religious extremism in Turkey
Just because a community is conservative doesn't mean it is a hotbed of religious or political extremism — or a threat to your rubber.
Despite what Western news media may imply, Islam doesn't brand people more violent than any other religion does. You're no more than likely to encounter extremism in Turkey than you are in your home country.
Freedom of speech and assembly is handled differently in Turkey than in Western countries, so if you encounter protests or demonstrations during your travels, information technology'southward all-time to simply walk on by. Also, check your government'south electric current advisories before traveling to southeastern Turkey, an area of fluid politics due to its proximity to conflict in Iraq, Iran, and Syria.
All smart travelers know the importance of paying respect to local community and beliefs. But you are much more than probable to exist bitten by wild animals or get struck past lightning than you lot are to be kidnapped or caught within the midst of a religious or political upheaval while traveling in Turkey.
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Source: https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/middle-east/turkey/how-strict-is-islam-in-turkey
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