My Ramadan: Turkish ambassador celebrates diversity and Emirati traditions

For the Turkish ambassador to the UAE Mustafa Levent Bilgen, Ramadan has been about celebrating with people from diverse backgrounds, while learning about Emirati traditions during the Holy Month.

Mustafa Levent Bilgen, the Turkish ambassador, is celebrating his first Ramadan in the UAE. Silvia Razgova / The National

Abu Dhabi // Mustafa Levent Bilgen, the Turkish ambassador, says this Ramadan has been about celebrating with people from diverse backgrounds, while learning about Emirati traditions.

Mr Bilgen is celebrating his first Ramadan here, having arrived in the capital last December.

“I am exhilarated by the spirit of Ramadan, which has spread all around the country with meaningful activities and festivities that display the deep-rooted traditions of the Emirati people,” he said.

Mr Bilgen said he had been privileged to attend iftars and suhoors that brought together people from different backgrounds.

“The true meaning of Ramadan is reflected when a humble gathering of different people sits around the same table, breaks bread and has friendly exchanges,” he said. The ambassador earlier held posts in Beijing, Tel Aviv, Toronto and New York. He said the Turkish and Arab people share a common heritage.

“The history of Arab-Turkish relations is that of two brotherly people bound by close cultural, social, religious and historical ties,” he said.

“For centuries, our people lived side by side, shared a common destiny and contributed extensively to world civilisation, in particular the civilisation of Islam.

“I observe that this common culture reflects our Ramadan understanding as well.”

Mr Bilgen said Ramadan in Turkey, as in the UAE, was a month of celebrations that was planned for weeks.

“A sure sign that Ramadan has started is when the mahya, a pattern of lightbulbs hung above the minarets of the mosques, lights up with the message ‘Welcome holy month, the sultan of the 11 months’,” he said.

“Another distinct element of Ramadan in Turkey is the traditional drummers who go through the streets to wake people up for suhoor.”

During iftar, the gardens of the Sultan Ahmet Mosque in Istanbul turn into family picnic areas.

Ramadan “is, indeed, a time for self-reflection, observance of tolerance, patience and endurance, and understanding the needy and helping them”, Mr Bilgen said.