Guide to Local Religious Practices in Turkey for Expats

Published on October 4, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Turkey is a fascinating cultural crossroads where East meets West, and understanding its local religious practices is essential for any expatriate wishing to truly immerse themselves in this tradition-rich country.

Whether you’re drawn to the majestic mosques of Istanbul, the famous whirling dervishes of Konya, or the Islamic holidays that punctuate daily life, this guide offers a valuable window into the unique blend of beliefs and rituals that shape Turkish society.

Embark on a journey that explores not only the visible aspects of religious life in Turkey but also the deep and unspoken meanings behind these age-old practices, thereby fostering authentic and enriching encounters with your Turkish hosts.

Impact of Religious Practices on Daily Life in Turkey

Islam is the majority religion in Turkey, practiced by approximately 99% of the population, although the proportion of practicing Muslims is lower, especially among urban youth. About one-third of society identifies as non-practicing or non-religious, and religious practice tends to be more flexible than elsewhere in the Muslim world.

Influence on Work and School Schedules:

• Work and school schedules are generally not adjusted for Friday prayers, unlike in other Muslim countries.
• During Ramadan, it is common for schedules to be adapted: some companies or government offices shorten workdays to allow employees to break their fast with family.
• Schools may organize adapted activities for fasting students, such as reducing physical exertion or adjusting break times.
• The dates of major religious holidays (Eid) are national holidays, leading to the closure of schools and government offices.

Impact on Dietary Customs:

• During Ramadan, eating, drinking, or smoking from sunrise to sunset in public places is forbidden for practitioners.
• Restaurants and cafes remain open, but some reduce their offerings during the day or install curtains to ensure discretion for non-fasting customers.
• In the evening, iftar (breaking the fast) is an important social moment, leading to large shared meals among family, neighbors, or colleagues.
• Islamic dietary restrictions (halal) are respected: pork is absent from menus, and alcohol remains taboo in some circles, although widely available in major cities.

Traditions of Major Religious Holidays:

Holiday	Main Practices
Eid al-Fitr (Ramazan Bayramı)	Marks the end of Ramadan. Family visits, gifts for children, sharing traditional pastries (baklava, lokum). Children go door-to-door to receive treats.
Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayramı)	Commemoration of Abraham’s sacrifice. Ritual sacrifice of an animal, part of which is given to the poor. Family meals, increased solidarity, visits to elders and neighbors.

Influence on Social Interactions and Courtesy:

• Politeness formulas often include religious references (“Allah’a emanet ol” – May God protect you).
• During greetings, the hand is sometimes brought to the forehead or kissed and then placed on the forehead as a sign of respect for elders.
• Acts of charity, especially during Ramadan and holidays, are socially valued (food distribution, zakat).

Gender Separation in Public Spaces:

• In mosques, prayer areas are separated for men and women.
• Some hammams, cafes, or public transport reserve areas or times for women, especially in more conservative regions.
• Major cities offer more pronounced gender mixing, but particular attention to modesty in dress and interactions remains in many contexts.

Interaction Between Secular Laws and Religious Expression:

• Turkey is officially a secular state: religion is separate from the state, and civil law takes precedence over sharia.
• Religious symbols (headscarves, religious attire) were long restricted in public institutions, although these bans have been relaxed since the 2000s.
• The Gregorian calendar is in use, and Sunday is the official weekly day of rest.
• Public schools provide state-controlled religious education, but private denominational education also exists.

Local Perspectives and Adaptations for Expatriates:

A French expatriate in Istanbul recounts:

“I was surprised to see how daily life remains active during Ramadan, even though many colleagues fast. In the evening, iftar is a very friendly moment, and I was often invited to share the meal, which allowed me to build relationships quickly.”

A resident of Ankara testifies:

“Here, religious practice is very personal. Many women do not wear the headscarf, and there is no strong social pressure, except in some more traditional neighborhoods or cities. For a foreigner, it’s enough to be respectful during holidays and to be discreet during Ramadan.”

Expatriates note the need to adapt their schedules during religious holidays:

“Government offices close, transportation is sometimes saturated, and it’s better to plan your trips in advance. But it’s also a time when generosity and friendliness are very present.”

Living in Turkey means dealing with an omnipresent yet diverse religiosity, where Islamic traditions coexist with a secular framework and a great diversity of individual attitudes.

Keys to Understanding Turkish Religious Holidays

Main Religious Holidays in Turkey

Holiday	Turkish Name	Main Significance	Key Rituals and Practices	Culinary Specialties
Ramadan	Ramazan	Month of fasting, spirituality	Fasting from sunrise to sunset, prayers, iftar (breaking the fast), solidarity and almsgiving	Güllaç, pide, dates
Eid al-Fitr	Ramazan Bayramı/Şeker Bayramı	End of Ramadan, festival of sharing	Family gatherings, visits, exchange of gifts and sweets	Baklava, lokum, candies
Eid al-Adha	Kurban Bayramı	Festival of Abraham’s Sacrifice	Sacrifice of an animal, sharing of meat, prayers, donations to the poor	Dishes based on meat
Kandil	Kandil Geceleri	Five holy nights of Islam	Night prayers, illuminated mosques, distribution of kandil simidi	Kandil simidi

Significance and Associated Rituals

Ramadan (Ramazan)

Sacred month during which Muslims fast from imsak (before dawn) to iftar (sunset). It is a period of spirituality, sharing, and discipline. Mosques host special prayers (tarawih), and many charitable events are organized. Iftar, the meal to break the fast, becomes a major social moment, shared with family, friends, or even strangers. Markets and restaurants offer specific menus, and the streets come alive at nightfall.

Eid al-Fitr (Ramazan Bayramı / Şeker Bayramı)

Celebrates the end of Ramadan over three days. Families gather, exchange gifts, visit relatives, and honor the memory of the deceased. Tradition dictates offering sweets (hence the name Şeker Bayramı, “Sugar Festival”), wearing new clothes, and showing generosity towards the less fortunate.

Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayramı)

Festival of Sacrifice, commemorating Abraham’s submission to God. Every family that can afford it sacrifices an animal (often a sheep) according to a strict ritual. The meat is shared: one-third for the family, one-third for relatives, one-third for the needy. It is also a time of strong solidarity and conviviality, marked by visits and shared meals.

Kandil

The Kandil nights (Mevlid, Regaip, Miraç, Berat, Kadir) are marked by special prayers at the mosque, the illumination of minarets, and the distribution of ring-shaped bread, kandil simidi. These nights commemorate key events in the life of the Prophet Muhammad and hold spiritual importance, although less central than the Bayram holidays.

Impact on Daily Life

• Work and school schedules may be adapted during Ramadan.
• Restaurants may remain closed during the day but become lively in the evening.
• Transportation and public services experience peak usage before the holidays.
• Religious holidays are national holidays: government offices and businesses close partially or completely.

Specific Culinary Traditions

• Ramadan: Güllaç (dessert made with pastry leaves and milk), pide (special Ramadan bread), dates to break the fast.
• Eid al-Fitr: Baklava, lokum (Turkish delight), candies, dry cakes.
• Eid al-Adha: Dishes rich in freshly sacrificed meat, barbecue, kebab, pilaf.

National and Local Celebrations

Major cities organize public events, markets, concerts, or meal distributions.

In villages, the community dimension is even more pronounced: mutual aid, neighborhood visits, solidarity towards the poor.

Social Aspects and Diversity of Practices

Religious holidays are moments of social cohesion and openness: it is common to invite neighbors and colleagues, including non-Muslims, to share an iftar or a holiday meal.

Religious minorities can participate in the festivities in a spirit of tolerance and mutual respect, although their involvement varies by region.

Regional differences exist: Eastern Turkey is known for its strict respect of traditions, while major metropolises display a greater diversity of practices.

For Expatriates:

• It is appreciated to respect the fast in public during Ramadan.
• Receiving or offering sweets during Bayram is a courteous gesture.
• Participating in an iftar or a visit during a religious holiday is an excellent opportunity to discover Turkish culture and integrate into local life.

Key Takeaway:

Religious holidays punctuate social, family, and cultural life in Turkey, offering expatriates a unique opportunity to understand the diversity and richness of Turkish society.

Adaptations for Expatriates During Major Celebrations

The main religious celebrations in Turkey are Ramadan (Ramazan), followed by Eid al-Fitr (Şeker Bayramı or Sugar Festival) and Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayramı or Sacrifice Festival). These holidays punctuate social, professional, and family life throughout the country.

Holiday	Period	Impact on Daily Life	Key Practices and Traditions
Ramadan	1 month (variable dates)	Daily rhythm modified: fasting from sunrise to sunset, adjusted hours for businesses, government offices sometimes closing earlier.	Fasting, night prayers (tarawih), increased solidarity towards the needy.
Eid al-Fitr	3 days at the end of Ramadan	Closure of government offices, banks, schools; many businesses closed or with reduced hours; major family travel across the country.	Family visits, exchange of gifts/sweets (lokum, baklava), offerings to children and elderly.
Eid al-Adha	4 days approx. 2 months after Ramadan	Same impact as Eid al-Fitr on public services/businesses; massive family travel.	Ritual sacrifice of an animal, part of which is distributed to the needy; family gatherings.

Associated Practices and Traditions:

Respecting the Fast During Ramadan:

• Avoid eating/drinking/smoking in public during the day out of respect for those who are fasting.
• Iftar meals (breaking the fast at sunset) are privileged moments for invitations.

Traditions During Holidays:

• For Şeker Bayramı, greet with “Bayramınız kutlu olsun” (“Happy holiday!”).
• Symbolically offer sweets.
• For Kurban Bayramı, never politely refuse a portion offered during a sacrifice if invited to someone’s home.
• Wear decent, even elegant, attire during family visits.

Practical Tips for Expatriates:

Cultural Adaptation:

• Discreetly observe local behaviors in public spaces.
• Participate if invited to a family or festive iftar – it is often a significant sign of trust.
• Inform yourself about expected dress codes depending on the situation (avoid overly casual attire during major holidays).
• Respect quiet during special prayers in some very observant neighborhoods.

Behavior in Public Places/Family Gatherings:

• Avoid overly demonstrative gestures during these sensitive periods.
• Wait to be invited to serve yourself during collective meals.
• Bring a small gift when received at someone’s home for a holiday (classic Turkish pastries like baklava are appreciated).

Planning Using the Turkish Religious Calendar:

Dates vary each year according to the Islamic lunar calendar: plan ahead to organize vacations/business trips as transportation can be saturated before/after these major holiday periods.

Many public services/banks/schools close for several days; schedule administrative procedures outside the festive period if possible.

Understanding and respecting these events not only allows for a better life in Turkey but also helps build strong relationships with local colleagues/hosts.

Religious Freedom and Resources for Expatriates in Turkey

Legal Framework of Religious Freedom in Turkey

Turkey is a secular state according to its Constitution, which prohibits any influence of religion on public affairs and forbids the adoption of religiously inspired rules. Islam has not been the state religion since 1928. Turkish secularism translates into strict state control of religious activities, thus ensuring equality among citizens regardless of their faith. However, this neutrality is sometimes accompanied by restrictions: the conspicuous wearing of certain religious clothing has been regulated in public or university spaces; political parties based on religion are prohibited; no reference to sharia is admitted in civil or penal law.

Individual rights to freedom of belief and worship are recognized but must be exercised in respect of the superior principle of secularism defined by the state. This primacy sometimes leads to limitations deemed necessary to preserve public order or prevent any political instrumentalization of religion.

Main Practiced Religions and Accessible Places of Worship

• Sunni Islam: Practiced by the majority, with a vast nationalized network of mosques managed by the Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs).
• Alevi-Bektashi Islam: Minority but significant; recognized presence through cemevis (specific places for Alevi rituals), although these do not always benefit from an official status equivalent to mosques.
• Christianity (Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Latin Catholic/Protestant): Small communities present mainly in Istanbul and Izmir; several historical churches open for worship.
• Judaism: Small but active community primarily with synagogues in Istanbul.

Main Religion	Accessible Iconic Places
Islam	Blue Mosque (Istanbul), Süleymaniye…
Christianity	St. Anthony of Padua Church (Istanbul), Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Judaism	Neve Shalom Synagogue (Istanbul)
Alevi-Bektashi	Şahkulu Sultan Dergahı Cemevi

Expatriates can freely access the main public places of worship during regular services or during cultural visits outside liturgical hours.

Experiences Lived by Expatriates

For Sunni Muslim expatriates, practicing their faith is generally easy thanks to the high number of mosques and their open welcome. Non-Muslims may encounter more administrative obstacles to organize their worship gatherings outside officially recognized establishments. However:

• Major cities offer real diversity with Sunday masses in several languages in some churches.
• The visible wearing of Christian/Jewish insignia generally does not provoke manifest hostility but may arouse curiosity or misunderstanding outside cosmopolitan areas.
• Some testimonies mention a necessary cultural adaptation regarding schedules/holidays not aligned with those of Western countries.

Socially, there is relative tolerance towards urban religious pluralism, although some minorities still occasionally report indirect discrimination related notably to housing or public employment.

Resources Available for Expatriates Wishing to Practice Their Religion

Indicative list:

• International Christian associations active locally: International Francophone Christian Alliance Turkey; foreign Francophone/Anglophone parishes offering catechism/social address.
• Jewish groups structured around the Turkish Chief Rabbinate offering community support to newcomers.
• Interfaith platforms: ecumenical university groups/NGOs promoting interfaith dialogue and practical multilingual assistance.

Social Network & Mutual Aid:

• Internet forums dedicated to expatriates
• Facebook pages/WhatsApp groups “French/Iberians/Catholics/Iglesia Catolica Estambul”
• Specific welcome by some embassies during major holidays

Open Events:

• Major liturgical holidays celebrated publicly in some historic neighborhoods
• European Heritage Days allowing exceptional guided visits to synagogues/churches usually closed
• Sufi/Alevi festivals accessible without denominational distinction

To live one’s spirituality serenely in Turkey as an expatriate: prefer Istanbul, Izmir, or Ankara where various organized faiths coexist; contact recognized religious associations directly to know the precise schedule of services adapted linguistically; respect local customs regarding limited proselytism in public space to avoid any potential cultural misunderstanding.