Iftar
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Iftar (Arabic: إفطار), refers to the evening meal for breaking sawm (fasting) during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar as one of the religious observances of Ramadan is often done as a community, with Muslims gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is done right after Maghrib (sunset) time. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to be consumed during iftar when the fast is broken.
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[edit] Iran
In Iran, a small selection of foods is prepared to break the fast at Maghrib time (just after the sunset) and is summarily followed by a proper Persian meal. Most common iftar items are: Chai (tea, usually Darjeeling), Noon (bread usually lavash or barbari), Paneer (cheese), fresh herbs, sweets, dates and halva. Most family members will gather at one home for iftar.
[edit] Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, a wide variety of foods is prepared to break the fast at Maghrib time. Some of the more common iftar items from Bangladeshi cuisine include: Pyaju (made of onion and pulse powder), Beguni (made of eggplant and pulse powder), Chola (cooked chickpeas), Muri (puffed crunchy rice grains, usually spiced with onion, garlic and chilli), Haleem, Jelapee, dates, Dhal Puri (a type of lentil based pastry), several other different types of sweets and different types of fruits such as watermelon. People like to have iftar at home with all family members and iftar parties are also arranged by different offices and organisations.
[edit] India
In India, in places like Hyderabad, people break their fast with Haleem because it has a rich taste and is quite filling.
[edit] Indonesia
In Indonesia iftar is called "buka" which means "to open". Markets sell various foods for iftar, including the date, which is popular, as well as unique Indonesian food and drink such as kolak, cendol or dawet, etc. Most of them are only found easily in Ramadan. Maghrib time is marked by beduk, a traditional Indonesian drum. After "ashar"[clarification needed] time, many traditional markets are crowded by food stalls selling many kinds of items for "iftar". Traffic jams often occur leading up to Maghrib time. Sometimes people invite groups of orphans to eat with them. After iftar, people go to the mosque for Isha'a and Tarawih prayer which, in Indonesia, is often accompanied by a sermon.
[edit] Brunei Darussalam
In Brunei Darussalam, iftar is called "sungkai". Traditionally this is held in the mosque or masjid for those who have prayed. In the mosque, a buffet is prepared by the government and local residents. Before the iftar, the beduk must be heard as a signal for beginning sungkai. Sungaki also means when a person decided to break their fast during daylight hours (the prescribed fasting time). Bruneians usually celebrate sungkai in restaurants (with reserved seats).
[edit] Pakistan
Pakistanis observe religious and cultural events passionately, and so accordingly, in Pakistan almost everybody stops to rejoice for a few minutes following the iftar sirens and adhan (azan) (call to prayer). Preparations for iftar commence about 3 hours before, in homes and at roadside stalls. The fast can be broken by eating dates or drinking water, if the former is not available. As a meal in Pakistan, iftar is usually heavy, comprising mainly of sweet and savoury treats such as jalebi, samosas, pakoras and namak para, besides the staple dates and water. Rooh Afza, a sweet syrup-based drink, is also considered an integral part of the iftar in Pakistan, sometimes replacing water. Other items such as chicken rolls, spring rolls, Shami Kebabs, and fruit salads are also very common. The iftar is often, but not necessarily, followed up by a regular dinner later during the night.
[edit] Sri Lanka
Even though Sri Lanka is mainly populated by Buddhists, there are also many Muslims. For iftar they make special snacks/appetizers at Muslim homes, such as samosas, cutlets, rolls, and many more. They perform iftar with the family if possible. Muslims believe that giving to the poor is a very rewarding. They eat a date and drink some water to break the fast or to perform iftar. Then they have the prepared meal. Some people like to prepare foods and give to the people performing iftar in the mosques.
[edit] United States
Iftar meals are often held at US colleges and universities, to which both Muslim and non-Muslim students are frequently invited. The United States Department of State holds an annual iftar dinner for community leaders from US society and faith groups as well as foreign policy officials.[1]
[edit] As charity
Many Muslims believe that feeding someone iftar as a form of charity is very rewarding. It is also believed to have been practiced by Muhammad.
[edit] See also
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