Editing Ramadan (section)

==== ''Iftar'' ====
{{Main|Iftar}}
[[File:Example of Ramadan iftar 2.jpg|alt=Picture of some of the dishes used in breaking Ramadan fast in Nigeria|thumb|Some dishes used in breaking Ramadan fast in Nigeria]]
At sunset, families break the fast with the ''[[iftar]]'', traditionally opening the meal by eating [[Phoenix dactylifera#Fruits|dates]] to commemorate Muhammad's practice of breaking the fast with three dates.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Oxford dictionary of Islam|date=2003|publisher=Oxford University Press|last=Esposito|first=John L.|isbn=0-19-512558-4|location=New York|oclc=50280143|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/oxforddictionary00bada}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Indrayani|first=Suharti|date=2018|title=How do Muslims consume dates?|url=http://www.pjmhsonline.com/2018/oct_dec/pdf/1732.pdf|journal=Pakistani Journal of Medical and Health Sciences|volume=12|pages=1732–1743|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728134336/http://www.pjmhsonline.com/2018/oct_dec/pdf/1732.pdf|archive-date=28 July 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> They then adjourn for [[Maghrib]], the fourth of the five required daily prayers, after which the main meal is served.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Muslims_fast_and_feast_as_Ramadan_begins.html?showFullArticle=y |title=Muslims fast and feast as Ramadan begins |first=Melissa |last=Fletcher Stoeltje |date=22 August 2009 |access-date=22 July 2012 |work=[[San Antonio Express-News]]}}</ref> 

Social gatherings, many times in [[buffet]] style, are frequent at ''iftar''. Traditional dishes are often highlighted, including traditional desserts, particularly those made only during Ramadan.{{such as|date=July 2019}} Water is usually the beverage of choice, but juice and milk are also often available, as are soft drinks and caffeinated beverages.<ref name="dieticiannour">{{cite web |url=http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/072709p56.shtml |title=Understanding Muslim Fasting Practices |first1=Dr. Nour |last1=El-Zibdeh |work=todaysdietitian.com |access-date=25 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731172803/http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/072709p56.shtml |archive-date=31 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[Middle East]], ''iftar'' consists of water, juices, dates, salads and appetizers; one or more main dishes; and rich desserts, with dessert considered the most important aspect of the meal.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Oxford companion to sugar and sweets|last=Goldstein, Darra|isbn=978-0-19-931361-7|location=Oxford|oclc=905969818|date = April 2015}}</ref> Typical main dishes include lamb stewed with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled vegetables, and roasted chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pilaf. Desserts may include [[lokma]], [[baklava]] or [[knafeh]].<ref name="la">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-ramadan-20120721,0,1433650.story |title=Ramadan's high note is often a dip |first1=Faye |last1=Levy |first2=Yakir |last2=Levy |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=21 July 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722134003/http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-ramadan-20120721,0,1433650.story |archive-date=22 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Over time, the practice of ''iftar'' has evolved into banquets that may accommodate hundreds or even thousands of diners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-08-08/news/fl-ramadan-food-20100808_1_iftar-fasting-muslims-hail |title=Ramadan: Muslims feast and fast during holy month |first=James D. |last=Davis |date=8 August 2010 |access-date=22 July 2012 |work=[[South Florida Sun-Sentinel]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706233740/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-08-08/news/fl-ramadan-food-20100808_1_iftar-fasting-muslims-hail |archive-date=6 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque]] in [[Abu Dhabi]], the largest mosque in the [[UAE]], feeds up to thirty thousand people every night.<ref>{{cite news |title=Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque feeds 30,000 during Ramadan |url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/05/10/abu-dhabi-s-grand-mosque-feeds-30-000-during-ramadan |access-date=11 May 2019 |agency=Euro News |publisher=euronews.com |date=10 May 2019}}</ref> 
[[File:Iftar Serving for fasting people in the holy shrine of Imam Reza 05 ().jpg|thumb|Iftar served for people fasting in the [[Imam Reza shrine]]]]