STORY: Turks welcome holy month of Ramadan with mix of joy, worry
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: March 12, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:34
LOCATION: Ankara
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of people on the streets in Türkiye
2. various of people doing Ramadan shopping in Türkiye 
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): PELIN OZTURK, Resident
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): AHMET ONCU, Resident
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): FURKAN YUCEASLANTAS, Resident
 
STORYLINE:

As the holy month of Ramadan begins, Turks are embracing it with a mixture of joy and worry due to unprecedented economic challenges gripping their nation.

Rising costs and soaring inflation have compelled many to tighten their belts, navigating through financial strains that have surged over the past year.

Pelin Ozturk, a homemaker, living in Ankara's bustling Kizilay district, said her family, like many others in Türkiye, has to scale back traditional celebrations amid the country's skyrocketing inflation.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): PELIN OZTURK, Resident
"Ramadan signifies unity and solidarity for us. It is a real joy for me to prepare iftar meals at home for family and friends. Nowadays, prices are extremely high. Iftar ingredients are out of reach for most households, so preparing an iftar meal is certainly challenging. The price of dates has shot up in the past year."
 
To mitigate the plight of the less fortunate, the Turkish government has intervened by monitoring market prices and encouraging retailers to offer discounts during Ramadan.

However, an alarming 80 percent hike in the price of the essential Ramadan pita, a traditional bread baked during Ramadan in Türkiye, has dampened the iftar experience for many.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): AHMET ONCU, Resident
"Ramadan means unity, but in recent years, the joy has disappeared because of the bad economy. Especially for pensioners, daily life is very challenging. After Ramadan, we will have Eid. How can anyone make a sacrifice when a lamb costs more than a pensioner's monthly income."
 
Türkiye's annual inflation rate, reaching 67.07 percent in February, its highest since 2022, has exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis, despite incremental wage and pension hikes.

Despite the financial strain, families strive to uphold traditions, gathering for iftar meals and seeking reconciliation during this festive period.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): FURKAN YUCEASLANTAS, Resident
"Ramadan means unity and empathizing with those whose earnings are limited. It is a month of solidarity. In my family, we gather with family elders around the same table for the iftar. It is a communion opportunity for family members. Family members, friends, and relatives gather during Ramadan. It is also a time when people make amends."

Throughout Ramadan, cannons will reverberate across Türkiye, marking the daily end of fasting. 

"Iftar tents," accommodating hundreds for free meals, among other charitable efforts by organizations like the Turkish Red Crescent are organized to alleviate the burden on the less fortunate.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara.
(XHTV)