11.02.2026 11:20
The month of Ramadan, the sultan of 11 months, is just a few days away. The Istanbul Governorship has issued a circular regarding the activities to be carried out in the city during Ramadan. Accordingly, it instructed district governorships to prioritize low-income individuals, orphans, earthquake victims, families of martyrs and veterans, women, and youth in aid activities and programs. On the other hand, it announced that exterior lighting throughout the city will be kept on at night during Ramadan.
The Istanbul Governorship published a circular ahead of the Ramadan month, which will begin with the first Tarawih prayer on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The circular sent to 31 district governorships requested that activities suitable for the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan be carried out.
PRIORITY FOR MARTYRS' FAMILIES AND EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
The circular published by the governorship included the following statements regarding iftar programs:
1) Instead of activities such as protocol-focused collective iftar dinners in Ramadan programs, gatherings should be held especially with different segments of society that can be defined as disadvantaged groups (low-income, orphans, earthquake victims, etc.).
2) In addition to the support of social solidarity and assistance foundations, public and private sector resources should be mobilized to elevate the in-kind and cash assistance provided to low-income citizens to the highest level.
3) Priority in iftar programs should be given to the families of martyrs and our veterans, as well as the families of veterans.
4) In Ramadan activities, especially iftar dinners, attention should be paid to low-income families who receive assistance from social solidarity and assistance foundations.
5) On the 15th day of Ramadan, designated as World Orphans Day, gatherings should be held with our orphaned children and youth.
6) In the in-kind/cash assistance to be made and in Ramadan programs including iftar, special importance should be given to Roma citizens, and gatherings with them should definitely be held.
7) In all activities and programs to be carried out during Ramadan, priority should be given to women and youth.
ILLUMINATION ACTIVITIES
On the other hand, the governorship made arrangements regarding the decoration and lighting works to be carried out throughout the province during Ramadan. The circular sent to 31 district governorships and municipalities included the following statements:
1) In historical buildings, lighting and exterior lighting should be kept on throughout the night in a way that does not damage the historical texture of the building.
2) In new buildings and other suitable structures, lighting should be done with Ramadan-themed decorations.
3) In squares, main arteries, shopping centers (AVM), streets and avenues, symbolic structures such as bridges and towers, and public areas, lighting works should be carried out with crescent and star-themed decorations, in accordance with traditional practices, while considering environmental aesthetics around mosques and their surroundings.