Türkiye prepares for Islam's holy month of Ramadan

With less than a week left until the start of Ramadan, Türkiye is buzzing with excitement as preparations intensify for this holy month of fasting and reflection.

Mahyas are hung on Eyüpsultan Mosque ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, Istanbul, Türkiye, March 4, 2024.

One of the highlights of Ramadan in Türkiye, mahyas are a traditional Turkish Islamic art form where illuminated messages are hung between the minarets of mosques during the holy month of Ramadan.

These messages are usually made of lights arranged to form words or phrases from Islamic scripture, prayers, or messages of peace and solidarity.

Cleaning teams rushed to the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul to deep-clean the magnificent monument, which will be flooded by worshippers throughout the holy month.

Cleaning teams disinfect Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul ahead of Ramadan.

A photo captured by a drone shows the mahya with "La Ilahe Illallah" (There is no God but Allah) hung on Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul.

Mahya on Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

Teams working to install mahya on Eyüp Sultan Mosque in Istanbul.

Aerial view of Eyüp Sultan Mosque in Istanbul.

Cleaning teams from Fatih Municipality clean the area in front of Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.

Bakeries across Türkiye are also preparing to serve customers Ramadan pides, a special type of bread baked during the holy month and devoured during iftar time.

A bakery in Düzce prepares Ramadan simit, a delicacy exclusively made during the holy month.

Preparations are also underway at the chamber displaying the Sacred Relics at Istanbul's Topkapı Palace.

Experts are carefully maintaining the sacred relics exhibited in the museum.