Express Your Appetite

The first week of Ramadan is complete. By now most people have settled into the Ramadan routine. Businesses are serving their Ramadan hours, usually closing around 1PM, reopening at 7PM and staying open until after midnight. At my work, we have shorter classes and subsequently a shorter day, to accommodate our students who are hungry, thirsty and tired. Restaurants are all closed during the day, but they do a brisk business after dark.

This brings me to today's question: "What do you say to end the fast?"

When the sun has set and the tummy's rumbling, a fasting person finally gets to enjoy what they have been anticipating all day. The words that are spoken: "Oh Allah, for Your Sake I fasted, in You I believe, in You I trust, and with the food You provide I break my fast". The traditional way to break fast is with three dates (see photo, and don't forget to spit out the pits!) and some water, following the example of the prophet Muhammed. Next comes time for prayers and finally you sit down with your family for the evening meal, called "iftar".


Many of the nice restaurants around town offer a sumptuous iftar buffet each evening of Ramadan, providing foods like kibbeh, tabouleh, hammour, kofta, hummus, samoosas, umm ali and various other delectables. OK, OK, maybe some other time I'll tell you all about those foods, and really get your mouth watering!