Ramadan

In Turkey's metropolitan province of Istanbul, drummers dressed in Ottoman-style attires have been keeping the age-old tradition of Ramadan alive for centuries of beating their drums in the wee hours of the morning to wake residents for their "sahur" meal, the first meal of the day eaten before observing the fast.

Muslims around the world are celebrating Ramadan this month by reading the Quran, praying, fasting and doing good works.

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. This year, Ramadan will begin in the evening of Monday, April 12, and ends in the evening of Wednesday, May 12.

Almost 2 million Muslims observe Ramadan.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on April 7 that the country wants a significant reduction in the number of coronavirus cases by the end of the Muslim holy month Ramadan.

"We aim to give a rest to our country during Ramadan and prepare it for better days after the Eid," he said while speaking at the AKP's provincial heads' meeting in Ankara.

Ramadan is the right time to start empathizing with stray animals, according to the founders of a natural living environment hosting hundreds of dogs here in the Turkish capital.

Volkan Koç and Emre Kapan established the Patiliköy foundation, which can be translated as Pawsville, 11 years ago to rescue stray animals in need and provide rehabilitation in a natural environment.

Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew on April 25, greeted the Muslim holy month of Ramadan with wishes of health, peace and tranquility.

"We pray that Allah will accept your fasts and prayers," he said. "We wish you to celebrate your holy Ramadan feast with enthusiasm and love a month hence."