I am invited to an Iftar, help!

Ramadan is the holiest of months for the devotees of Islam and this is evident in the observation of the fast and the adherence to a regime of praying. The relaxation of rules for the non-Muslims in the country has been welcomed as a liberal outlook of the Muslims and has won a deeper admiration of the Islamic faith.

Ramadan also fosters kinship and hospitality through sharing iftars and suhoors with friends and families. For non-Muslims this is a good opportunity to learn about other cultures and participate in the local customs of an Islamic country.

However, when you do go to such events you need to observe the sanctity of the month and the sentiments of the believers. Here are a few things that you may want to keep in mind to align with the culture at such gatherings.

?Do not eat before time

It is impolite to go to an iftar and start drinking or eating before the call for evening prayers. Eat once your host breaks the fast. Be prepared for your host to spend some time away praying during the evening.

?Gifts Not Customary

It is not customary to bring gifts when visiting homes during Ramadan. You may want to bring cooked food, fruits or juices to share during the iftar, but it is always advisable to check with the host first to avoid wastage.

?Respect their hours

When visiting a Muslim family keep in mind their Ramadan routine, so arrive on time and do not overstay as they will have other duties to perform during the evening.

?Do not waste food

Ramadan is a month for fasting and over-crowding your plate and then throwing it away is disrespectful. Do enjoy the widespread but without waste.

?Try a fast

To really enjoy an iftar observe a fast yourself. You will be enriched with the experience and fully empathize with your host. It is not really as tough as you may think

?I hope this small article makes you better prepared to attend a private iftar. Some of the pointers are good for the big public iftars that you may get invited to.