Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluating the importance of holidays and their place in society, said, “Children love holidays very much. Children celebrate. Therefore, we recommend that holidays be spent quality time with children, contributing to the family. A productive holiday will be good for family ties. Holidays are days to make people love family life.” Tarhan added: “Holidays are the area where we learn relationship management.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated the importance of holidays and their place in society.
Holidays are a societal need
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that holidays and special days exist not only in our belief system but in all religions, saying, “We also have Ramadan Eid and Eid al-Adha. Holidays are a societal need.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan reminded that religious holidays should be approached not only from their religious dimension but also from individual and societal dimensions, stating that the true meaning of Eid al-Adha is to draw closer to Allah.
Kurban means to draw closer
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized the worship dimension of religious holidays, stating, “For a person to perform religious rituals and practices, they must know their meaning. The true meaning of Eid al-Adha is to draw closer to Allah. The origin of Eid al-Adha is when Prophet Abraham repeatedly saw in his dream that he should sacrifice his son, Prophet Ishmael, to Allah, he understood that this was a command from Allah. He wanted to show his submission to Allah for helping him overcome difficulties he faced and decided to sacrifice his son Ishmael. Both of them passed this test of submission, and in return, a sacrifice was sent through Gabriel. In fact, the purpose here is to enable him to take a step to draw even closer. Kurban means to draw closer. If we do not consider the meaning, we would only see Eid al-Adha as a holiday for animal slaughter.”
Love, respect, and trust make the family a safe space
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that gratitude is also recommended in Western culture, noting that social capital in the family can increase with the enrichment of three values: love, respect, and trust.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed out that these three values and emotions make the family a safe space, adding, “We need opportunities to increase this. Holidays offer this opportunity.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan drew attention to the contribution of holidays to children’s development, stating that a productive holiday is also good for family ties and that holidays are days to make people love family life.
Holidays contribute to the development of empathy skills
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that holidays also contribute to the development of skills such as sharing and empathy, saying, “We must live Eid al-Adha without forgetting its meaning. The holiday has a spiritual dimension as much as its worship dimension lived for religious reasons. It is not Allah who needs the sacrifice, but us. A person who has the power to offer a sacrifice sharing it with those in need develops empathy related to awareness. It enables wealthy people to become aware of those who are not wealthy. In this respect, holidays have a dimension that can contribute to the development of empathy skills in people.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan noted that another aspect of the holiday is to cooperate with other people, stating, “Chatting with our family and loved ones, sharing, and establishing relationships are made possible. Holidays are the area where we learn relationship management.”
Holidays, the remedy for empathy deficiency…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also emphasized the importance of doing good deeds and becoming aware of others during holidays, saying, “Its most important benefit is to the family structure. We should see holidays as an increase in the social capital within the family.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also stated that holidays are the remedy for empathy deficiency, saying, “Going to Eid prayer with our child, giving something to the child’s hand while helping others and telling them to help, it is necessary to teach not only to receive but also to give. Because life is not about taking, it is about giving. The giver wins. During the holiday, one must live by sharing.”
Holidays should be seen as an opportunity for reunion, not just for vacation…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that holidays are very valuable times, especially for intensely working individuals, to spend time and be together with their family and loved ones, saying, “Nowadays, going on vacation is preferred. It should be seen not as a vacation but as an opportunity for a social event and reunion. Even if one is going somewhere, being able to go together is definitely important. Holidays bring everyone together. Holidays play a very important role in the psychological behavioral development of children. Holidays are one of the most important factors in children’s behavioral development.”
Children love holidays very much
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized the importance of children loving their family, saying, “Children love holidays very much. Children celebrate. Therefore, we recommend that holidays be spent quality time with children, contributing to the family. A productive holiday will be good for family ties. Holidays are days to make people love family life. This should be considered an opportunity.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan added that holidays also provide psychological resilience to people.