A Turkish artisan has kept the Istanbul skyline lit during Ramadan for decades. He may be the last

By ROBERT BADENDIECK and EMRAH GUREL
Associated Press

ISTANBUL (AP) — In the heart of Istanbul, on top of the towering minarets that dot the city’s skyline, 68-year-old Kahraman Yildiz toils away at a craft that has illuminated the Muslim holy month of Ramadan for generations. Yildiz, a master of Mahya, the unique Turkish tradition of stringing religious messages and designs between minarets, is facing the twilight of a practice deeply ingrained in Turkish culture that is also taken for granted. For half a century, Yildiz has been a guardian of this art form, creating intricate designs that light up the night sky, encouraging faith and charity among observers. However, with no apprentice as a successor in sight, the future of Mahya hangs in the balance.