The significance of Iftar: 'It's a time we can make connections'

Iftar is the dinner that Muslims have in the evening at the end of their fasting.

Director at Nizamiye Mosque, Dr Aydin Inal, says most people start by eating a date or drinking some water.

"The significance of the date is it comes from the time of the Prophet Muhammad... in his time, dates were one of the main dishes – and it's also a sweet food, after a long day of fasting it brings your sugar levels up."

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Dr Inal says various cultural settings will also dictate different types of foods at these meals.

"I was born in Türkiye, so we love soup... we have to have soup at the end of a hungry day, it almost prepares your stomach for what is to come afterwards. Locally in South Africa, lots of savouries are preferred."

He explains that young children begin the fasting ritual slowly.

"In Islam, puberty is the main starting point for one to practise the religion fully, but in most cases children from even six, seven, eight would start fasting – but they would start in a month maybe once or twice, and then the following year they will fast a few more days... long before they reach puberty they're already fasting a full month, because they want to take part."

Dr Inal adds that it's also a good opportunity to share the tradition with others.

"We believe it's a time we can make connections... we do have a number of formal meals, where we invite people – Muslim, non-Muslim – to come together and also in that environment have conversations, learn from one another."

To listen to Dr Inal in conversation with 702's Relebogile Mabotja, use the audio player below: