19.02.2026 19:50
In Turkey, while changing cities with a single step in a neighborhood that is unique and resembles a Black Sea joke, the iftar times during Ramadan also vary. Although the distance between the two mosques in the area is about 100 meters, those residing on the Ordu side can break their fast one minute earlier than those living in the Samsun region.
Ambartepe Neighborhood, located 30 kilometers away from the center of Terme district in Samsun, and Şentepe Neighborhood, situated 24 kilometers from the Ikizce district of Ordu, are separated by a 7-meter wide road.
In this area, which has been inhabited for approximately 80 years, half of the road, considered the border line of both metropolitan cities, belongs to Samsun, while the other side is located in Ordu territory.
THE CALL TO PRAYER IS HEARD 1-2 MINUTES APART FROM THE NEARBY MOSQUES
As a result, the call to prayer from the mosques in both neighborhoods sometimes rises 1-2 minutes apart. Residents, who have to dial the intercity code when they want to call their neighbors across the street, sometimes break their fast with a one-minute difference. Although the distance between the two mosques in the area is about 100 meters, those living on the Ordu side can break their fast one minute earlier than those living in the Samsun region.
THEY WILL BREAK THEIR FAST TOGETHER THIS YEAR WITH IFTAR PROGRAMS
Residents who will break their fast at the same minute during the first 4 days of Ramadan in 2026 will break their fast with a one-minute difference on the remaining days. However, citizens from Samsun and Ordu, who will meet at iftar tables organized throughout Ramadan, will break their fast at the same time.
"DUE TO THE MERIDIAN DIFFERENCE, WE WILL BREAK OUR FAST AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE FIRST 4 DAYS AND THEN WITH A 1-MINUTE DIFFERENCE"
Engin Arslan, the Muhtar of Şentepe Neighborhood in Ordu Ikizce, stated, "One side here is Samsun Terme, and the other side is connected to Ordu Ikizce district. Due to the meridian differences, we will break our fast at the same time for the first 4 days, and on the following days, we will break our fast with a one-minute difference. This is the beauty of this place. Last year, there was an iftar program organized by our two Metropolitan Mayors, and the same will be repeated this year. Buildings here will be dressed and painted. Hopefully, the appearance of this place will be more beautiful. Our side will be in purple and white, while the Samsun side will dominate in red and white colors. It will be a beautiful project, and we thank our Ordu Metropolitan Mayor Dr. Mehmet Hilmi Güler and our Samsun Metropolitan Mayor Halit Doğan," he said.
"IT'S NOT HARD FOR US BECAUSE WE'RE USED TO IT"
Fahrettin Kışla, who lives on the Ordu side but has a grocery store on the Samsun side, said, "It's not hard for us. There is a 1-minute difference between Ordu and Samsun here, and the Ordu side is read earlier. We are used to this situation; it doesn't matter to us. The area codes for internal phones here are also different," he stated.