While the primary housing models are being constructed and the authorities are counting down the times till the primary village homes are delivered to their homeowners, earthquake survivors within the provinces that have been shaken by the early February pair of tremors are getting ready to rejoice one of many two most essential holidays for the Muslim world, Ramadan Bayram, also referred to as Eid-al-Fitr, in a modest environment this 12 months.
Sheltering in a few of the dozens of hundreds of containers and tents established after the catastrophe, the place they acquired extra assist by way of organized sahur and iftar meals throughout Ramadan, many survivors, together with the aged, are nonetheless dealing with the consequences of destruction.
At the identical time, based on native media reviews, a number of organizations, corporations and the National Ministry of Education (MEB) convey a spark of festivity and pleasure as they ship Bayram items to the youngsters within the area.
According to Anadolu Agency (AA) reviews, roughly 25,000 residents are sheltering in containers situated at 18 factors all through Malatya, one of many provinces extremely affected by the quake. Ibrahim Keser, an 83-year-old, is without doubt one of the survivors hosted within the containers arrange by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) in Battalgazi district.
Speaking to AA, Keser famous that his home collapsed through the quake and that he’s staying within the container together with his spouse and daughter.
Noting that one in all his different two youngsters lives in Istanbul and the opposite in Malatya, Keser, who has six grandchildren, mentioned his kin dispersed after the earthquakes. “Each of us is in different places. And now we are here; we don’t have anywhere to go. Still, if relatives come for a visit during Ramadan Bayram, our doors are open,” Keser mentioned.
Reminiscing on previous Bayrams, Keser famous that he at all times hosted his youngsters and grandchildren at his home, stressing that he awaits and misses them.
“If there’ll be a chance they (children and grandchildren) will come for the Eid celebration in this container city. We will offer them various treats and host them as well as we can,” he mentioned.
Another survivor, 72-year-old Alaaddin Bülbül, lamented and remembered Bayrams when his spouse used to organize conventional sweets akin to baklava and sütlaç, noting that whereas three of their youngsters are in Malatya, the opposite three are in Izmir, Istanbul and Ankara. Although his grandchildren used to get pleasure from tasty meals ready by their grandma, Bülbül mentioned they might almost definitely be those who would convey treats this vacation.
Gifts for kids
In a written assertion, Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer famous that training facilities affiliated with the General Directorate of Lifelong Learning joined forces to offer festive pleasure for the youngsters staying within the container cities. “Eid gifts, designed and produced entirely in public education centers and institutes, reached 12,000 children,” he mentioned.
Similarly, per the AA report Wednesday, the Turkish support and humanitarian physique Red Crescent (Kızılay) goals to ship clothes for kids in quake-stricken provinces. In the assertion made by the Red Crescent, it was famous the reward certificates can be given to these in want by way of the 13 provincial department workplaces, as they will store on the related shops.
Bazaars revive
Despite the vacancy and visual disappointment skilled by way of the areas and corners of Gaziantep, some native tradesmen famous that as the vacations are approaching, the streets are getting crowded and residents are within the Eid rush.
Colorful buying scenes emerged on Gaziler Street, with residents getting ready for the vacation at full pace exhibiting nice curiosity in garments, sweets, nuts, sweet and cologne.
Melih Yıldırım, a shopkeeper within the Bazaar, famous an intense demand from companies and residents, highlighting the necessity for antep pistachio, usually used for the manufacturing of Bayram’s No. 1 deal with – baklava. “Although times have changed, our traditions continue,” Yıldırım maintained.
“People strive to relax psychologically, to make children happy by shopping and to celebrate the holiday in the best way possible. We also try to make everyone happy during the holiday,” confectioner Yusuf Kurt mentioned.
Similarly, the frenzy was witnessed on the historic Maraş Bazaar constructed within the 1500s, with companies noting that commerce slowly revived after the large catastrophe skilled.
“We are trying to increase our products and their varieties. We are here. It will be better if our citizens from other cities come to Kahramanmaraş again,” Ali Pir, one of many sellers within the bazaar, famous.
Ali Us, who was on the market, mentioned: “We experienced the saddest Ramadan and are about to have the saddest Eid in our lifetime. We hope to have healthier holidays. Life goes on.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
