What is the evening meal that breaks the daily fast?

The evening meal that breaks the daily fast is called iftar.

Iftar takes place at sunset, when the day’s Ramadan fast ends. The timing is traditionally signaled by the adhan, or call to prayer, for Maghrib, the sunset prayer. Many Muslims begin by eating dates and drinking water before praying or continuing with a larger meal, although customs differ widely around the world.

Iftar is both a religious observance and a social occasion. Families, friends, mosques, charities, and community groups often share meals, and providing food to people breaking the fast is widely regarded as a charitable act. UNESCO inscribed iftar-related traditions on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023.

Maghrib is not another name for the meal: it is the fourth of the five daily prayers and helps identify the meal’s usual time. Suhoor is the contrasting pre-dawn meal that begins the fasting day.