Holy month of Ramadan begins Monday in Turkey

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey welcomes Ramadan and greets Muslims across the country, who will have their first before-dawn fasting suhoor meal on Monday.

The holy month, which this year lasts from Monday to July 4, will see many of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims commit to a strict daytime fast, often taking the opportunity to make promises to improve their lives.

Millions of Muslims will also say their first special evening Ramadan prayer called taraweeh Sunday, which will then continue throughout the holy month.

The first suhoor meal in Turkey will start in the northeastern province of Ardahan at 2.31 a.m. local time (1131GMT) and the first iftar, which is the evening fast-breaking meal during Ramadan, will first take place at 7.32 p.m. (0432GMT) in southeastern province of Hakkari, , according to Turkey's Religious Directorate.