Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) in Türkiye

Meaning and religious background

Kurban means an act of drawing near to God through worship. The Presidency of Religious Affairs describes the sacrifice as an act associated with Prophet Abraham and with devotion, while the religious teaching also emphasizes care for people in need.[2][3]

The observance is not simply a meal or a meat distribution. Diyanet describes the sacrifice as worship and says that sharing its meat with people in need, relatives, acquaintances and neighbours is part of its social purpose.[3]

Dates and public holiday law

The first day falls on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah. Because the date is set by the Islamic calendar, its corresponding Gregorian date changes from year to year.[2][3]

Türkiye’s Law No. 2429 names Kurban Bayramı as a general holiday from 1 p.m. on the eve through four and a half days. The law says official offices and establishments close on national, official and religious holidays, while preserving the rules for organizations that must operate continuously.[1]

The law also says that when a general holiday ends on a Friday evening, the following Saturday is a full holiday. It does not set out a general substitute day for other cases.[1]

How it is observed

A congregational Bayram prayer is part of the holiday morning. Diyanet’s guidance describes worshippers going to the mosque and greeting one another; it also lists visiting elders, helping people in need, reconciling after disagreements and bringing joy to children among customary holiday acts.[4]

The sacrifice may be shared at home or arranged elsewhere. Diyanet says the meat may be eaten by the household, given as a gift or distributed as charity; it describes sharing portions with people in need, relatives, acquaintances and neighbours as a recommended practice.[3]

Customs can vary by place. In its account of Isparta, Türkiye’s Culture Portal records that some households prepare meat after the prayer, share it with people in need and serve it to guests. The same local account mentions sweets for children and visits to graves; these are examples documented for Isparta, not a rule for every part of Türkiye.[5]

Closures and practical planning

The statutory closure applies to official offices and establishments during the holiday period, subject to exceptions for services that must continue operating. The law does not establish one opening schedule for all shops, restaurants or transport services, so travellers should check with the provider or business they plan to use.[1]

The law specifies the official holiday period but does not say that every private-sector employee automatically has the same days off. Workplace arrangements and any applicable employment rules should be checked with the employer.[1]