19.02.2026 10:15
In Zonguldak, miners had their first pre-dawn meal of Ramadan meters underground with food they brought from home.
The production of coal, which is the most important source of livelihood for the city, continues 24 hours a day in three shifts at many mines. In the Gelik town of the Kilimli district, workers at the Demir Mining site had their first pre-dawn meal of Ramadan in the mine during the 00:00-08:00 shift. 120 meters underground, as the time for sahur approached, the miners, who paused their work, set up a makeshift dining area using wooden beams and planks used for reinforcement in the mine. The workers prepared the food they brought from home with their coal-blackened hands and shared their first sahur together. After sahur, the workers prayed for the miners who lost their lives and for a Ramadan without accidents. The workers returned to their jobs after sahur.
'THIS IS BREAD MONEY'
Şenel Zurnalı, a 15-year mining worker, who explained that he has often had sahur away from his family, said, "15 years is tough. It doesn't get hard at first, but it starts to get harder later on. Since we are underground, looking outside makes it seem even harder. The working conditions underground are much tougher. But there is nothing to be done, it's bread money. We have to work. Another Ramadan has come, thank God. I hope we can spend this Ramadan happily and joyfully. May God allow us to reach the holiday as well. We had our first sahur away from our family. There is nothing to be done. This is bread money, out of necessity. They are waiting for bread too. We had cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and beans on our table, sharing what we brought from home with friends and eating together. After sahur, we continue with our work," he said.
'YOU CUT OFF ALL CONNECTIONS'
Selahattin Ordu, a 13-year miner, explained that mining requires courage and dedication, and that once you enter underground, your connections to the outside world are severed. He said, "When we say underground, it is a very different situation. Compared to jobs outside, it is one of the most dangerous jobs, a heavy job that requires complete courage and adaptation, and dedication. It is very different from jobs above ground. Once you enter here, you cut off all your connections. We are 120 meters underground, and the conditions here are tough. We forget everything for a short while. We have reached another Ramadan. We had our first sahur here with friends. We had our sahur with the snacks that everyone brought from home, as much as they could. I wish everyone well. Of course, we did it with friends, but our family is always a priority, yet our colleagues in this work environment also become our family. When compared, since our friends are also our family, we can support each other here. There is a bittersweet feeling; doing it at home is different, but since the conditions require it, and because we are in pursuit of bread money, to provide a comfortable living for our family, we can accept these conditions. We had our sahur, we prayed. Insha'Allah, we will break our fast at home with our family. I wish everyone a blessed Ramadan. I sincerely hope everyone reaches the Ramadan Feast," he said.