by Caroline Fynn

Created on: May 04, 2009   Last Updated: December 30, 2010

The necessity to fast is the fourth of the five Pillars of Islam that Muslims observe. The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is known as Ramadan, the holiest month of the year in which the fasting, known as sawm, takes place.

Fasting is observed during the daylight hours of the twenty nine days that make up the month of Ramadan. There is much more involved in this than simply abstaining from food and water. Smoking and all sexual interactions are also forbidden within the hours of fasting, and the entire Ramadan is a time devoted to prayer, the spread of goodwill and to give alms to the poor. The sawm is intended to promote self discipline and empathy with others. It is not viewed as a time of suffering and hardship; on the contrary, Muslims embrace the month of Ramadan which is celebrated on a daily basis starting with Futuur.

Futuur, also known as Iftar, is the first meal of the day that breaks the fast and this is somewhat of a ritual during Ramadan. Futuur is a small meal that prepares the stomach so as a large dinner can be consumed later in the evening. Futuur usually comprises of a sweet drink such as apricot juice and a small quantity of fruit, the most popular being dates, this is because it was the habit of the Prophet Muhammad to eat dates at Futuur. The dates can be either fresh or dried and small amounts of bread are sometimes eaten alongside, and perhaps a cup of fresh mint tea. In Morocco soup is usually eaten with the bread and dates. Muslims frequently visit the Mosque for Futuur, so as to break the fast among members of the local community.

Futuur occurs as soon as the sun has completely set and this is broadcast on the television and radio, and from street criers. In Cairo the start of Futuur is announced by the famous Ramadan Canon, known as Hajjah Fatimah which stands on the Plateau of Moqattam.

Following the Futuur, the evening prayer, known as the Maghreb prayer, takes place. It is only after the Maghreb that Muslims will eat the main meal. Friends and relatives eat together and poor people and strangers are welcomed and included if affordable. Communal tables can be found in the streets and parks on each night of the month, a vast majority of which have been set up by wealthy families in order to feed the poor.

As well as being a celebration of the end of the daily sawm; Future (or Iftar), embraces the personal strength and self discipline needed on a daily basis for successful fasting.

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