Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

28 September 2024

3-minute read

Salma Docrat, a teacher by profession and with a successful home school of her own in Johannesburg, decided a couple of years ago to leave the country of her birth and move with her family to Antalya in Turkey. An unusual decision but one she does not regret in the least, Salma cited her reasons for the move were “to give my children more choices” and “to move to a Muslim country”.

The best time to visit Turkey would be between May and June, and then September to October, with ideal weather conditions and fewer visitors crowding up tourist attractions. Turkey is also a top tourist destination for travellers from all over the world. For South Africans visiting the country, a free e-visa can be acquired online and is valid for 30 days. It is important to apply on Turkey’s official government website, as some third-party companies charge a fee.

With Istanbul the obvious place most people would opt to include in their itinerary, Salma suggests booking your hotel in the Sultanahmet area, near the tram line as it will save you from extra walking. Istanbul is very hilly so comfortable walking shoes are essential. The transport system is well developed throughout Turkey and investing in an Istanbulkart will give you access to all the city’s public transportation of trams, buses and underground metros. The card can be purchased at any kiosk at the tram stations, and one card suffices for all family members.

In Turkey, what we know as masjids are called camiies and musallahs, whereas Jamaat khanas are called masjids. The main attractions include the Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), Sulaymaniye Camii, Topkapı Museum and Dohlmabahce Palace. The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum near the Hippodrome showcases objects similar to the Topkapi Palace. The Panorama 1453 Museum of History displays the conquest of Constantinople by Muhammad Fatih. Try to go to Fatih masjid on a Wednesday as the bazaar is worth the trip, and another not so famous bazaar worth visiting is the Arasta Bazaar.

Turkey has a halal accreditation body called HAK. Lots of restaurants serve alcohol, especially in the main tourist areas, so be careful to check before choosing where to eat. Meat has become very expensive so eating out is quite pricey.

The coastal region of Antalya, just over an hour’s flight from Istanbul, is known for its beautiful beaches and spectacular weather. Driving along the West coast of Turkey to reach Antalya by road, one will see the absolutely stunning coastline and blue waters of the ocean stretching up to some of the Greek islands. Most tourists stay at the resorts and there are options for resorts that cater for the modest family where no alcohol is served on the premises and the swimming pools are completely separate. Antalya is a huge province boasting canyons, waterfalls and ancient ruins with amphitheatres, but the distance between places is quite far so extra time is required if you would like to do justice to the area.

Turkey, a country to migrate to… despite the falling economy, and with the Rand much stronger than the lira, the cost of living in Turkey is gone higher with certain items having risen exorbitantly in price. Although utilities are still cheaper than what we pay in South Africa, jobs are very hard to find and an external income is necessary. Another challenge is the language as Turkish is not an easy language to learn. On the plus side, the safety is way better than South Africa and there is no fear when travelling on public transport, there is always a place to read salaah, halal food is available everywhere, and the country is very child-friendly with an abundance of parks and facilities specifically for children. Salma concluded that “safety and simplicity of life” is definitely a reason to move to Turkey.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Ibrahim Daya and Ml Muhammad Kara on the Travel Segment.