A humbling Ramadan in Turkiye

Making the best of it: Breaking fast in tents and cars has become the norm for some working to help survivors of the recent earthquake.

PETALING JAYA: It’s been almost two months since the devastating earthquake in Turkiye that left almost 60,000 dead and a bigger number homeless, but Malaysians there are showing that they continue to care.

The Malaysians are even breaking their fast in cars and tents as they work round the clock to help those who are still traumatised by the tragedy.

Dr Mohamad Zikri Ahmad Tarmidi, 30, is among those working all day treating cases at the emergency department at his clinic in Osmaniye.

He has helped Mercy Malaysia over several days in Hatay province mobile clinic, putting up tents and distributing food.

“I think this is the first time I had to break my fast in the car and tents. Even in my own clinic, the nurses cook something, so we eat that for sahur and buka puasa.”

He said people are so traumatised that they are refusing to go home and instead choose to stay in the tents.

In the once-lively town of Osmaniye, almost 50% of its people have left. Only those who work in the area remain.

“They have left because there is literally nothing left for them. A lot of them are keeping their families as close as possible to ensure they survive,” he said.

Dr Zikri said the holy month of Ramadan is also challenging.

“We are fasting slightly longer than in Malaysia as we are nearing the end of the winter season. Many mosques have been destroyed, so we have to make do with makeshift ones.

“What I miss most is the sense of peace, comfort and safety about being back home. There are still aftershocks of between four and five seconds, so I am always restless,” he said.

Dr Zikri is hoping to come back a day before Hari Raya so he can be with his wife and children during the festivities.

“Hari Raya in Malaysia is an experience of its own, you cannot compare it to how they celebrate here. Back home it is so festive and lively, so I want to celebrate with my loved ones,” he said.

History student Ahmad Aslam Amran, 27, from University Selcuk in Konya has been volunteering to help victims.

He has been in Turkiye for eight years and fasting in the aftermath of an earthquake has left him humbled.

“I cannot forget the experience when I was breaking fast with a family in a tent. As we were eating, we could feel the earth move and there was a loud noise.

“It was shocking but the family calmed all of us down and told us to continue eating.

“I learnt a lot from being here because it reminds me of how lucky I am,” he said.

“I am so grateful to be able to fast with all the orphaned children and earthquake victims.”

Ahmad Aslam, who is from Puncak Perdana in Shah Alam, Selangor, said fasting in Turkiye has its unique traditions.

During sahur, people are awakened by a person beating the drum or the “Ramazan davulcusu”, a tradition from the Ottoman period.

“In terms of food, they eat a traditional pita bread sprinkled with sesame seeds called ‘Ramazan pidesi’ and a dessert made with milk and rose water named ‘Gullac’.

“After the Tarawih prayers, they eat a dessert called ‘lokma’ and drink ‘sahlep’, which are given away free.

“They also have shadow plays called ‘Hacivat karagoz’ and families gather to watch in open spaces,” he said.

However, Ahmad Aslam still misses Malaysian food, especially the sotong sambal and tempoyak petai cooked by his mother.

“While we in Malaysia dress up in our finest traditional attire for Hari Raya, Turkish people just wear everyday clothes,” he said.

Student Sharifah Sarah Syed Jamaluddin, 27, was amazed at the resilience of the Turkish people.

“Even though they are filled with sadness, they have so much hope,” said the student of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University in Istanbul.

“They remain optimistic and say the fasting month will heal all their ‘wounds’.”

During Ramadan, decorative lights (Mahya) with words of wisdom are put up between mosque pillars in Turkiye promoting worship, unity and love.

The words included ‘prayers are miracles for believers’, ‘family is the foundation of society’ and ‘let’s love each other’.

For Malaysians in Turkiye, there is no lack of love but, of course, they all pine for Malaysian food and the Ramadan bazaars.