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Ramadan Dinner known as Iftar

Iftar (Arabic: إفطار), refers to the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar during 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 consume during Iftar when the fast is broken.

Jackfruit kolak, one of various Iftar desserts in Indonesia

In Indonesia Iftar is called "buka" which means "to open". Markets sell various foods for Iftar, including the date palm which is popular as well Indonesian unique food and drink such as kolak. Most of them are only found easily in Ramadan. Maghrib time is marked by beduk, a traditional Indonesian drum. 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 and Tarawih prayer which, in Indonesia, is often accompanied by a sermon.

In Pakistan, almost everything stops for rejoicing for a few minutes following the Iftar bells and sirens, rung mainly in mosques and community centres. Preparations for Iftar commence about 3 hours before, in homes and at roadside stalls. Treats such as jalebi, samosa, pakora and namak paray, are eaten with the traditional dates and water. Rooh Afza is a drink now rapidly being included in Iftar too, in some places replacing water.

Iftar meals are often held at US colleges and universities, to which both Muslim and non-Muslim students are frequently invited. The US State Department holds an Annual Iftaar Dinner for community leaders from US society and faith groups as well as foreign policy officials[1].

• Suhoor
• Tarawih

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