UNESCO has officially recognized the significance of iftar, the evening meal that marks the end of daily fasting during the holy month of Ramadan in the Muslim faith, and added it as part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
The application for iftar’s was jointly submitted by Iran, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, demonstrating the shared significance of this tradition across different cultures.
This recognition marks a significant achievement for the Muslim community which highlights the importance of iftar as a social and cultural practice.
“Iftar (also called Eftari or Iftor) is observed by Muslims at sunset in the month of Ramadan, upon completion of all religious and ceremonial rites,” said UNESCO.
In several Muslim countries, it is customary to mark iftar by eating a date accompanied by tea. Recipes for dishes and pastries, however, vary greatly depending on the country.
