As the history goes, Ramadan is the month that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was first contacted by the Angel Gabrielle to receive the verses of the Qu'ran. Through the passing of time fasting became a part of the lifestyle of the Muslim especially during the month of Ramadan. The breaking of the fast occurs at Magrib (sunset) with the Adan (call to prayer). Iftar (breakfast) often begins with dates and fruit juices, such as Manga, Omar El Din (apricot) or Kharoub. Kharoub is my favorite, but I do not know what the equivalent of it is in English. It is a rich meal to give an energy boost to those that are fasting. After eating the dates and drinking the juice, Muslims like to pray the Magribprayer and then return to a meal. Many Muslims like to pray most of the prayers in the mosque during Ramadan, but some do remain to pray at home. The meal can be any type of food nd most of those that are fasting find that they lack a large appetite for consumption. It could be just soup and some meat with rice, or just soup and some foul (fava) beans. It depends on the family and their personal palate. One thing is for sure during Ramadan, you will definitely find sweets in any household in the Muslim world. Basboussa, which is made from semolina mixed with eshta (cream) and a syrup, Konaffa is made from wheat, sugar, honey, raisins and nuts, Atief, made from the same ingredients but rolled to encase the nuts and raisins. Omm Ali is my favorite, it is made from phyllo dough, eshta, milk, sugar, nuts and raisins. Many Muslims like to watch shows that are specifically made for Ramadan and visit with family and friends in the evenings after Iftar. A lot of sweets are consumed between the Iftar and Sohour. Sohour is a meal taken before the Fajr (dawn). Again, this depends on the palate of the person who is eating. It could be dates, milk, water, foul, meat and rice. Most of us in the Muslim world loose a lot of sleep during Ramadan, but that is another post.
Until then,
A Woman of Egypt