Turkish society has the rare trait of blending cultural traditions with religious requirements, and Ramadan is the best illustration. The holy Muslim month in Turkey is not merely about fasting and then breaking the fast. It is rather a festival in which the fast-breaking dinner (iftar) doubles as a festive assembly for endless talk with family and friends, followed by entertainment in the streets. Thus for Turks, Ramadan is both about fulfilling religious duties and socializing.

Among the most popular Ramadan venues are the so-called “iftar tents” organized by all municipalities regardless of their political affiliations. Though their original purpose was to offer food to the poor, the tents have become lively social venues. On July 4, Al-Monitor visited the iftar spread in the Youth Park in downtown Ankara. Though commonly referred to as a tent, it is actually an outdoor venue with tables set on lawns around a pool, hosting up to 2,500 people.

The menu of the day includes red lentil soup, turkey sautéed with mushrooms, bulgur pilaf and broccoli with artichokes. As Al-Monitor tours the place, an elderly man calls, “Take a picture of me!” He introduces himself as Sadik Yaman and brushes his beard before posing for the camera. He says he comes here every day. When asked why, he replies, “I entertain myself. I make friends.” His company at the table are all people he has just met. Abdurrahman, for instance, dropped in after work so as not to miss iftar while on the way home.

Omer Ozdemir is another frequent visitor. “I don’t want to be alone,” he explains. Not far from where he is seated in his wheelchair, Ugur Cayir sits with his wife and two children. The family has come from Cubuk, a small town 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Ankara. After showing the kids around the city, they have joined the crowd for iftar. The women seated at the tables are mostly veiled. They seem to be housewives who rarely go out, and the iftar tent has become a venue for them to socialize with relatives.