Before Break of Fast

The beauty of Ramadan shines through iftar, or the break of fast, by pious Muslims. A whole tradition has grown out of the idea of iftar and nowhere is it more palpable than in the variety of food items sold in the minutes leading to iftar. Those who fast religiously make it a point to have the proper iftar items collected and distributed moments before the azan, or the Muslim call to prayer.
Here on this page comes proof of how delectable are the items to be consumed. At the top you spot the traditional gathering of people before an iftar bazaar in the old part of Dhaka. That is once more proof of the delicacies Old Dhaka has always been known for. It is a heritage which has clearly expanded into other areas of the capital, such as comes through the organized distribution of iftar items to a large body of citizens, affluent as well as not-so-affluent, at places like Baitul Mukarram mosque (note the picture at the bottom).
And variety? You only have to take a look at the food items displayed all over the city. All the food which has enriched iftar is reflected in the smaller pictures on the left and right. It is not merely the variety which counts. It is the sheer taste, the flavour, which draws those who fast to these food stalls as the day begins to draw to a close.

Photo: Rashed Shumon