Official holidays
Jan 1: New Year's Day
National holidays
Apr 23: National Sovereignty and Children's Day (anniversary of the establishment of Turkish Grand National Assembly)
May 19: Atatürk Commemoration and Youth & Sports Day ( the arrival of Atatürk in Samsun, and the beginning of the War of Independence)
Aug 30: Victory Day (victory over invading forces in 1922).
Oct 29: Republic Day (anniversary of the declaration of the Turkish Republic)
Religious holidays
Seker Bayrami(Ramadan Holiday): Three-day festival when sweets are eaten to celebrate the end of the fast of Ramadan.
Kurban Bayrami(Sacriface Holiday): Four-day festival when sacrificial sheep are slaughtered and their meat distributed to the poor.
The dates of these religious festivals change according to the Muslim lunar calendar an thus occur 10-11 days (exact difference between Gregorian and Lunar calendars is 10 days and 21 hrs) earlier each year. According to this;
Ramadan Holiday:
During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.
Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm)literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.
Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God.
Helping Others During Ramadan
Ramadan is a special time of year -- a time when Muslims around the world take a step back from their daily routines and focus on community, charity, fasting, and prayer. Ibn Abbas described that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the most generous of people, and even more so during the month of Ramadan.
Pray for Others
"When My servants ask thee about Me, I am indeed close to them. I respond to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me. Let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me, that they may walk in the right way" (Qur'an 2:186). Most importantly, during this very special month, take the time to pray for others - your family, your loved ones, those who are ill, those who live in fear, those who go hungry, those who walk in darkness. May Allah guide all of us upon the straight path of faith, and help us to be filled with piety, patience, humility, and kindness.