Catastrophe: Gloomy mood: Ramadan in the earthquake region

The first breaking of the fast of Ramadan begins in the city of Adiyaman, which was severely damaged by the earthquake.

Catastrophe: Gloomy mood: Ramadan in the earthquake region

The first breaking of the fast of Ramadan begins in the city of Adiyaman, which was severely damaged by the earthquake. The Kaplan family gather on the floor of their tent on Thursday evening, the call to prayer can be heard in the distance. Father Ekrem quietly hands the bread while mother Asli pours water for her two children. They murmur prayers for those who lost their lives in the devastating February 6th earthquake.

Many people lost their lives in the earthquake disaster in Adiyaman and many are homeless. According to government figures, at least 56,000 of the 120,496 buildings in the province of the same name have collapsed or been severely damaged. Six weeks later, the city, which had around 310,000 inhabitants in 2022, is still mourning. Most of those who stayed welcome Islam's holiest month in makeshift shelters.

During Ramadan, devout Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking for a month from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is considered a time for contemplation, humility, community and charity. Instead of being happy as usual, the first breaking of the fast this year is characterized by a gloomy mood. More than 50,000 people have been killed in Turkey alone by the 7.6 and 7.7 magnitude tremors.

Tears instead of joy when breaking the fast

"I could never have imagined going into Ramadan with such a heavy heart. I wish my sister and nephews were here too," says father Ekrem Kaplan. He can't hold back his tears. His sister and their four children died in the quake. He visits the cemetery every day, watering flowers and cleaning the tombstones, he says.

Actually, the Ramadan in Adiyaman, a pious, lively city, would start festively days before. Ekrem Kaplan's wife Asli Kaplan recalls pre-dawn drummers swarming through the neighborhoods, dressed in Ottoman style, to wake residents for their last meal before dawn. Aid organizations in the city are now distributing food to the needy. After the meal, some helpers dress up as clowns and take the kids to watch cartoons in the backyard of a local school.

A little further on, 17-year-old Taha Erdem drinks tea with his family. Nothing is the same for them as in previous years. The menu is modest. Taha became nationally known for a video he shot trapped under the rubble. He was sure he would die, he said in it. His dream is to become a psychologist to help people affected by disasters, he tells the dpa. "I want to tell people that there is always hope, even in the darkest of moments."

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