by Taheera

Created on: April 28, 2009

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a special month because it is during this month that the Quran (Islam's Holy Book) was revealed to provide guidance and clear teachings for the people. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world fast from the first brink of dawn till sunset. The fast, which involves not eating or drinking anything, is intended to be an act of personal worship whereby a Muslim (follower of Islam) seeks nearness to Allah (God). The purpose of fasting is to cleanse the soul and free it from harm. Fasting also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, patience, humility and sympathy for those who are less fortunate. It is also intended to make Muslims more generous and charitable.

All Muslims break their fast after the Maghrib prayer (fourth of the five daily prayers), which is announced at sunset. The evening meal consumed for breaking the fast is called Iftaar or Futoor. The Iftaar is usually eaten with the entire family, with the community or in a mosque. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to be consumed during Iftaar when the fast is broken. The consumption of dates is a Sunnah as it was practiced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is also a sunnah to have the break the fast and then offer the Maghrib prayer. Generally for the Iftaar, a variety of foods is prepared. The selection of dishes, however, varies amongst countries. In Bangladesh a wide variety of foods is prepared. The list of items include piyaju (made with onion and gram flour), beguni (made with eggplant and gram flour), chhola (made with chickpeas), haleem, jalebi, Daal Puri (lentil based pastry) and several fruits and sweets.In Iran, common Iftaar items are tea, bread, sweets, dates and halva. The Iftaar is then followed by a proper Persian meal. In Indian cities like Hyderabad, haleem is a common Iftaar dish as it has a rich taste and is quite filling. In Indonesia, Iftaar is called "Buka" which means "to open". Iftaar items here include unique Indonesian food and drinks such as kolak, cendol and dawet. Most of these items are found usually only in Ramadan. In Pakistan Iftaar items include sweet and savoury treats such as jalebis, samosas, pakoras, Chicken rolls, shammi kababs and namak para, besides the staple dates and water. Rooh Afza, a sweet syrup-based drink, is also considered an integral part of the Iftaar in Pakistan. While, in Sri Lanka Muslims often make samosas, cutlets and rolls for Iftaar.

Although the food consumed may not be similar in the different countries, the purpose behind the Iftaar and fasting remains the same. Muslims all around the world observe this practice and appreciate its virtues.

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