Eid

Turks have begun migrating en masse between the various cities and regions of Turkey to spend the five-day Eid al-Adha holiday

The Turkish Lira and Turkish stocks began the day weak as markets returned from a five-day break for Eid al-Fitr, during which regional politics remained tense as Israel continued its bombardment against Gaza while Western countries announced fresh sanctions against Russia over Ukraine.

Eid Mubarak! Or, in English, may your feast be blessed. That is what we Muslims say to each other during these days, when we are celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan. We share deserts, we visit relatives, and we wish, Eid Mubarak.

Efforts to rescue Turkish nationals who were kidnapped by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) last month are ongoing, President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan both said in Eid al-Fitr messages early July 28.

Turkey’s main agenda should be rule of law, high democratic standards, accountability and good governance, outgoing President Abdullah Gül has said, underlining the significance of continuing political, economic and social reforms for the stability of the country’s future.

Gül’s indirect call to the government came just a month before the end of his tenure as the president.

With Eid al-Fitr, or "Ramazan Bayramı" in Turkish, fast approaching, the leaders and representatives of all the major political parties in Turkey are still campaigning hard for the upcoming presidential elections on Aug. 10.