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Celebrating Regaip Kandili

Regaip Kandili, one of the five holy nights of the Muslim religious calendar is celebrated as a commemoration of the beginning of the pregnancy of Prophet Mohammad’s mother.

In Turkey, Regaip Kandili together with the four other holy nights (Kandil literally means “candle”) is not considered as a public holiday but the Turks celebrate this day by preparing special kinds of foods and treats. Helva, and other special types of homemade dough fried in oil are shared to families, friends and neighbors. The celebration typically begins in the evening and ends until the following evening. Mosques are illuminated, prayers are said, and the air of the holy night can be felt easily with the sound of prayers echoing from the nearby mosques to the streets and houses. While these celebrations are observed, its customary for the Muslim believers to be greeting each other "Kandiliniz mübarek olsun!" (May your holy night be happily celebrated!)

Note: Each year, the date of every Islamic holy night (Kandil) changes in accordance to the Islamic calendar. In 2010, the sundown of June 17 is the start of the Regaip Kandili celebration and will end until the following of June 18.

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