Iftar
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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 be consumed during Iftar when the fast is broken.
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[edit] Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, a good variety of delicious foods are prepared to break the fast at Maghrib time (just after the sunset). Most common iftar items are: Pyaju (made of onion and pulse powder), Beguni (made of brinjal and pulse powder), Chola (chick-pea), Muri, Halim, Gilapee, Chop and different types of fruits. People like to have iftar at home with all family members. Iftar party is also arranged by different offices and organisations.
[edit] India
In India, in places like Hyderabad, people break their fast with Haleem for its 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 palm which is popular as well as Indonesian unique 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" time, many traditional market being crowded by food stalls selling many kind of menu 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 and Tarawih prayer which, in Indonesia, is often accompanied by a sermon.
[edit] Pakistan
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.
[edit] Sri Lanka
Even though Sri Lanka is mainly made of Buddhists, there are also many Muslims. For Iftar they make special snacks/ appetizers at Muslim homes like 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 ( a type of fruit ) 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 preforming 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 US State Department holds an Annual Iftar Dinner for community leaders from US society and faith groups as well as foreign policy officials.[1]
[edit] As charity
Muslims believe that feeding someone Iftar as a form of charity is very rewarding. It is also the practice of the Prophet Muhammad. In Masjid Al-Aqsa, in Palestine, it is the best reward, as it is the third most sacred Mosque in Islam.
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