AS the sun sets over the Bosphorus, long queues form on a street in Istanbul as people wait to break the fast, where dinner is available for those breaking their Ramadan fast.
Due to high inflation in Turkey, many pilgrims are unable to prepare fast-breaking meals at home and rely on local authorities to prepare meals.
This was the first time that 68-year-old retiree Huseyin Ozcan had come to eat food provided by the city. When interviewed, that night it was served in the form of lentil soup, spinach and pasta.
He said more people came to enjoy the free food than in previous years. “We were served well, but this is not a substitute for breaking the fast at home,” said Ozcan, who waited more than an hour to be served.
“With my pension, I can’t afford to prepare food like I did in previous Ramadans. “Food prices are too expensive,” he said.
According to official figures, Türkiye’s inflation rate soared to 67% in February. The surge mainly occurred in food products, where inflation will reach 72% overall in 2023.
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Vicious circle
A group of independent economists from the Turkish Inflation Research Group (ENAG) predicted a 122% rise in real prices in February compared to a year earlier.
The Turkish Union of Agricultural Chambers said that “since the last month of Ramadan (in 2023), the prices of 38 food products have risen. The price of olive oil has risen by 149% making it a luxury item.
Meanwhile, Ramadan staples such as dried apricots have increased by 148% and dried figs have jumped by 171%.
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Although the minimum wage and pensions continue to be increased to compensate for inflation, high prices remain an important topic ahead of regional elections scheduled for March 31.
The country has been trapped in a vicious cycle of rising prices and falling currency for several years.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has regularly promised a return to “single-digit inflation” and approved interest rate hikes by the central bank to control prices despite previously objecting to the policy.
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Drowning in debt
In the alleys of the Spice Bazaar in downtown Istanbul, locals search for the best prices, hoping to get discounts from traders. Cicek Akpinar, carrying a half-empty shopping bag, looked at each label.
“I’m in debt. These prices are unaffordable. To break the fast, I prepare pasta or eggs for myself and the children. I can’t invite relatives like before,” he said.
For Akpinar, the holy month of Ramadhan no longer has the same joy.
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“This year a lot of people have had to look at the shelves without buying,” he said.
Another buyer, Mirza, 65, like other residents, was forced to give up meat because of the high price. A kilo of goat meat now costs more than 420 Turkish lira.
“In the past, we prepared different food every day of the week during Ramadan to share pleasant moments with the family,” said Mirza, who did not want to give his last name.
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“Now we always cook the same food, without meat,” he said while carrying a box of Turkish food in his hand.
Increase in the price of dates
At the spice and dried fruit shop, a favorite during Ramadan, Mehmet Masum is worried regarding his business.
“The month of Ramadan used to be the busiest period for traders. But that didn’t happen this year.”
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He said the price of dates, which are usually eaten when breaking the fast, had increased from 80 Turkish lira (US$2.50) per kilo to 230 Turkish lira (US$7) in one year.
“Those who might afford half a kilo of dates were as happy as if they had found gold,” said the shop owner.
“In the past, buyers would taste first before buying. Today, this is no longer done; prices continue to increase every day,”
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Brotherhood in difficult times
An hour before breaking the fast, several hundred worshipers wait impatiently in front of the tent where food will be served following sunset.
City employees became agitated and there was pushing and shoving. “You will all be served,” insisted a city employee.
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At 19.17 the call to prayer drowned out the hustle and bustle of the city and within an hour 500 worshipers had been served. Haci Hakalmaz came to enjoy a friendly evening with his friends.
“What is important is not the quality of the food but sharing this moment with the community,” he said.
As he breaks his fast, the 67-year-old retiree wants to forget regarding his meager pension, some of which is limited to 10,000 Turkish lira (US$309).
“When you look at the prices, you can see that the country is on fire,” he said.
“But tonight, I want to maintain good humor and a sense of brotherhood at this table,” he concluded. (AFP/Fer/Z-7)
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