TRNC Independence Day - 15th November

Turkish Republic Of North Cyprus – Independence Day

November 15^th 2011 will see celebrations for the 28^th anniversary of the formation of the TRNC. Between 1975 and 1983 the northern part of Cyprus was called the Turkish Federated State of North Cyprus and was governed by Turkey.

The North Cypriot State President Rauf Denktas presented terms to parliament laying out the desire to be self governing, with the stated aim of living side by side with the Greek Cypriot population, mutually recognising that each of the endemic people should respect the human rights of the other. North Cyprus was to be declared an independent sovereign state and be named The Turkish Republic of North Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot Parliament unanimously passed the resolution that ratified the declaration and thus on the 15^th November 1983 the TRNC was born.

Kurban Bayram - 5th - 9th November

One of the major religious festivals in the Islamic calendar is the Kurban Bayram (the Feast of the Sacrifice). It follows that period of the year during which many practising Muslims will have made their haj (pilgrimage) to Mecca in confirmation of their faith. 

The origins of this festival lie in the Old Testament of the Bible where Abraham was subjected to a test and told by God to sacrifice Isaac his only son. As proof of his religious commitment, Abraham was prepared to slaughter his son but at the last moment an angel of the Lord called from heaven and a ram was sacrificed instead (Genesis chapter 22, verse 11).

This year the Kurban Bayram occurs in November and commences in the afternoon of November 5^th with the Arife prayers (the preparation) and continues for four days until the evening of November 9^th. During this period Muslim families who can afford to will buy a good quality sheep or goat and sacrifice it in commemoration of Ibrahim who was spared by Allah from sacrificing his son Ishmail. The meat from the sacrificed animal will be shared equally among family, friends and the local poor. Those who do not have access to a sacrificial animal, or the means to buy one may alternatively give charitable alms instead. These are traditions that have been maintained throughout the Muslim world with slight variations from country to country.