Today, Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha, or Kurban Bayramı as we say in Turkish. It is an important religious holiday, which in Muslim-majority states such as Turkey will mean a public holiday that runs until 4 September. Eid al-Adha is a time when many will undertake a holy pilgrimage (hajj or ‘hac’ […]
A new game show for Ramazan on Turkey’s flagship state broadcaster channel has incensed many conservative religious groups across the country. The show, Kur’an-ı Kerim’i Güzel Okuma Yarışması [Kuran: Beautiful Recital Competition], televised each night, shows men competing by reciting passages from the Kuran. A panel of three judges give feedback to the competitors, […]
The UK’s Cyprus Islamic Association is holding its annual İftar and Charity Evening on Sunday 11 June at the TCCA in Harringay, North London. The event is open to all in the community and will begin with prayers from the holy Kuran, and continue with a khutba (special talk) and iftar (breaking of fast) […]
This morning many British Turkish Muslims welcomed the holy month of Ramazan by starting their month-long fast. Ramazan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and for 30 days Muslims around the world will not consume any food or drink from sunrise to sunset. Fasting ends on the evening of Saturday 24 June. […]
If you missed this exhibition last year, when it was on at the South Bank, make sure you visit this time round. The occasion is the Prophet Muhammed’s 1446th birthday, celebrated through the incredible works of prominent Turkish calligraphers past and present. It’s perfect viewing for those interested in calligraphy, Islamic art, design and […]
This Sunday, the Turkish Religious Foundation of the United Kingdom (ITDV) will be hosting a mevlit – a special event of Islamic prayer and hymns – to commemorate the holy birth of the Prophet Muhammed. Turkey’s Head of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) Professor Mehmet Görmez will lead this celebratory spiritual event, which is taking place […]
Later this month, the UK’s first Turkish-owned mosque will be busy turning Britons’ perceptions of mosques on its head. Shacklewell Lane Ramadan Mosque in Dalston, East London, has teamed up with PranaMotion to deliver an interactive multi-faith festival of music, dance, eclectic prayer and storytelling to celebrate diversity and unity. The Golden Egg Love Fest […]
On Thursday evening, the Cyprus Islamic Association of Britain will be hosting its annual prayer night to usher in the three sacred months of Islam, which concludes with Ramazan. Known as Regaip Kandili Gecesi, which this year occurs on 30th March, this holy night of prayer involves Muslims lighting candles and the minarets of mosques […]
On this day, March 21st, each year Turks, Kurds, Iranians, and many other people across central Asia celebrate their traditional New Year. This centuries-old festival centres around the northern hemisphere’s Spring Equinox, marking the start of a new calendar year when spring breathes new life into nature, and the region enjoys far more sunlight. […]
For some, the oud is the “king of instruments”. Made of wood, this short-neck, pear-shaped stringed instrument is similar to a lute. Its origins date back to the earliest Arab civilisations with the instrument’s name derived from the Arabic for ‘the wood’ [al-oud]. Its popularity quickly spread and today, the oud forms a core part […]
