Ask Mehmet Published Nov. 26, 2008 By Mehmet Birbiri 39th Air Base Wing host nation advisor INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Like Thanksgiving Day celebrated in the United States and Canada, other countries have celebrations or observances of gratitude to God for the fall harvest. Some countries have designated Harvest Day celebrations, like England's Harvest Festival. There isn't a designated Harvest Day in Turkey. However, in some regions of Turkey, ceremonies are held before starting the grain harvest. In other regions, ceremonies are held after finishing the harvest, principally where grapes are grown. Since the climate varies in different regions of Turkey, harvest day or post-harvest celebrations are held on different days. On the other hand, the tradition of killing a sheep and sharing the meat with neighbors, friends and the poor has similarities to the American Thanksgiving Day. Some Moslems kill an animal, usually a sheep, on the first day of the sacrifice festival which lasts four days, and share the meat. Meanwhile, during the holy month of Ramazan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Turks give alms to poor and needy people.Wealthy people also hold dinners for friends, neighbors and poor people when they break their fast in the evenings. Eating turkey is not common in Turkey, although in recent years some Turks have begun raising turkey. Turkey is mostly eaten as the main dish at New Year's Eve parties.