Eid al-Fitr

Tourism sector representatives have pinned their hopes on a potential post-Ramadan rise in the number of domestic tourists with the help of discount campaigns in hotel prices, especially in Antalya, the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) said July 7. 

The countdown for the formation of a new government will begin next week after President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an gives the mandate to incumbent Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu, but analysts suggest no government will be formed before the end of Ramadan in mid-July.

President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an?s press office has categorically denied claims about the extravagant cost of an iftar dinner where the head of the state hosted former and incumbent officials from Turkey?s Directorate General of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), suggesting that such claims were aspects of ?black propaganda.?

President Barack Obama said June 22 that Americans stand united in rejecting the targeting of any religious or ethnic group as he marked Islam's holy month of Ramadan.

The government said Tuesday that it will allow Muslims to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, at the Olympic Stadium complex in Maroussi and the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Neo Faliro.

The two sites have been given over in previous years for the religious ceremony.

A strike at the ?zmir facility of Turkey?s petrochemical giant, Petkim, came to an end late June 1 after workers agreed to a deal with the company?s management.

On May 28, nearly 1,000 workers of the petrochemical producer in the province of Izmir, in western Turkey, went on strike, occupying the facility for better work conditions. 

Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu and main opposition leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu have traded barbs over the latter's promise to distribute bonuses to pensioners if he is elected prime minister.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader has pledged to double the amount of money given to pensioners on religious holidays if he becomes prime minister, ahead of the upcoming elections scheduled for June 7.

The Turkish Lira and Turkish stocks began the day weak as markets returned from a five-day break for Eid al-Fitr, during which regional politics remained tense as Israel continued its bombardment against Gaza while Western countries announced fresh sanctions against Russia over Ukraine.

Outgoing President Abdullah Gül’s Bayram (Eid al-Fitr) message was the first of many farewell messages he will undoubtedly issue before his tenure officially ends on Aug. 28. Eyes are on him now to see if he remains in active politics or not.