Muslims welcome Ramadan Bayram

A holiday with a message of charity, peace, kindness and good neighbourliness

published on 4/10/24 6:30 AM

Photo: BGNES Archive

According to the 2021 census, almost 11% of the Bulgarian population, or about 639 000 people, identify themselves as Muslims, with the Turkish population alone accounting for 508 378 people. Most of the Muslim population lives in north-eastern Bulgaria and in the Rhodope Mountains. In addition to Bulgarian Turks, there are also Muslims of Bulgarian (Pomak) and Roma ethnicity. There is a small proportion of Muslims with Bulgarian citizenship who have immigrated from Arab countries such as Afghanistan and Iran. Most Bulgarian Muslims are Sunni, the form of Islam officially supported by the Ottoman Empire, which ruled the country for five centuries.

This year, from April 10 to 12, followers of Islam are celebrating one of their biggest holidays, Ramadan Bayram. "Now, on 10 April, Ramadan Bayram is the culmination or finale of a longer marathon of preparation for all believers," explains Vedat Ahmed, chairman of the Muslim Supreme Council:

"People start preparing for the holiday three months in advance - the three blessed months are called Rajab, Sha'ban and Ramadan. During Ramadan there are certain requirements for Muslims, such as fasting, which is one of the most important duties of Muslims, defined as service to God. It's considered an act of worship to achieve God-conscious piety and an act of submission to God. Ramadan fasting, when prescribed, is said to be a duty observed by earlier peoples. The Muslim who fasts should be a good person, compassionate and spiritually uplifted".

Another feature of Bayram, the month before Ramadan, is the emphasis Muslims place on charity. "Actions are taken to support Muslim education, help the impoverished and support orphans. Alms are given for various charitable causes," explains Vedat Ahmed.

"It is important for everyone to engage in acts of kindness - whether it is feeding the needy or sharing meals with relatives and friends at the so-called sofra - Iftar gatherings. This is the essence of feasting during the month of Ramadan - to engage with social issues. By experiencing spirituality within oneself, one is encouraged to undertake actions and deeds that serve as remedies for societal challenges.

Muslim homes are abuzz with preparations for Ramadan Bairam. Traditionally, they host guests and relatives for the holiday, but they do not forget to treat their neighbours with homemade sweets. In this way, Ramadan Bayram goes beyond the confines of the Muslim community, as the joy is shared with people of other faiths. It is a celebration of kindness and good neighbourliness, as described by Shevkie Chakir-Nihatova, a colleague from Radio Bulgaria's Turkish service, who paints a picture of the warm domestic atmosphere surrounding the holiday.

"Usually the preparations start a week before Bayram, the women clean the whole house, the curtains are washed, new tablecloths are meticulously arranged to make the house shine in anticipation of the arrival of guests and the gathering of family members. Recently I interviewed one of our listeners from the village of Kliment in the Shumen region. She had gone to the village of Belogradets to make yufka or phyllo pastry and to prepare 30 trays of banitsa for Bayram.

It is important to prepare the baklava first because it needs time to absorb the sugar syrup. When I was a child, the women of a neighbourhood would gather in one of the houses, one bringing the eggs, another the milk, a third the flour. They usually gathered in the house of the woman who made the best baklava. And the banitsas, they were ready even before the baklava.

The Ramadan banitsa is identical to the one we prepare for weddings, it is baked on both sides and made with lots of cheese. Once baked, it is flipped over a large metal lid so that it can be baked on the other side. It's rather difficult to make, so it's only prepared on special occasions. On that day, the table must be piled high with many dishes, as a lot of guests are expected".