In 85 million Turkey, the holy Muslim holiday of Kurban Bayram has begun, which will last until June 19
It is called so because, according to BTA, sacrificial animals are traditionally slaughtered on it - kurban.
In the early morning in nearly 90 thousand mosques on the territory of the country, at a certain time, the traditional prayer ritual namaz, in which only men participate, was performed. Traditionally, political leaders also participate in the ritual at various locations.
TRT Haber reported that mosques across the country were overflowing with people.
This year's religious ritual included a funeral prayer for the Palestinians in Gaza who were killed by the strikes of the Israeli army.
In Istanbul, a Muslim ritual was held for the first time in 79 years at the recently restored Kariye Mosque, a former Byzantine church. Many people were praying outside.
The Directorate of Religious Denominations called for the donations that every orthodox believer is obliged to give for Eid (Fitr and Zakat) to be given to the Palestinians this year.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was among the worshipers at the mosque in the resort village of Mugla, in his message called on Turkish citizens for community and reciprocity.
“Holidays, especially religious ones, bring people together. And we should make the best use of this opportunity on our Eid al-Adha. We must be together, reject what confronts us, be united in the name of all Muslims in the world and in the name of all martyrs. I congratulate you on our great holiday, may God be our friend and helper, Erdogan said, quoted by Milliet.
The metropolis of Istanbul emptied out during the 9-day holiday that started on Saturday. Hundreds of thousands of families went to their native places to slaughter the sacrificial animals there.
On the first day of Kurban Bayram, the sacrifice is made. Special places are designated for the slaughter of animals. The meat from the sacrifice is not brought home, but donated.
Special places are provided for the slaughter of animals in Istanbul. In the metropolis, it is forbidden to do this on the street, in parks and gardens. Special teams have been mobilized to monitor compliance with the ordinance. Fines for violators are between 5,000 and 11,000 Turkish liras, announced the mayor of Istanbul, Davut Gül.
Roads were jammed with vehicles. But already on the first day of Bayram, 852 accidents occurred and five people died, Haberler reported.
According to statistics, the most traffic accidents occur during the days of Kurban Bayram.
Up to 19 t.m. traffic on Turkey's highways and bridges will be free. But at the same time traffic and security control has been tightened. Over 250,000 security and traffic officers have been mobilized for road checks, Turkish media reported.
The 9-day holiday that started two days ago in Turkey has boosted tourism.
Over 1 million people from the country and abroad have made reservations for holidays in the resort villages of Antalya, TRT Haber informs.
Yesterday, June 15, 1100 flights were registered at Antalya Airport.
Until June 23, state and municipal institutions, banks, and stock exchanges will not work in Turkey.
On the first day of Kurban Bayram, most of the shops will be closed. But in the coming days they are expected to work normally.