News Feature: Istanbul celebrates first iftar of 2012 Ramadan
by Zhuying Shi
Istanbul, July 20
Istanbul kicks off its first iftar celebration of this year?s Ramadan on Friday. Around nine o?clock at night, thousands of people come to the street and enjoy the fast-break meal together.
In Istanbul?s Eminonu district, a big camp is set up by Istanbul Municipality to provide free food which include dry fruits, olives, lentil soup, kebabs and sweets to the people. One thing that Turkish and Muslims from other countries have in common is breaking fast with date, a behavior following Prophet Muhammad. According to nutritionists, having dates to break fast is good for health. It can restore blood sugar quickly, quell hunger and prevent overeating after fasting. Most people will eat one or two dates and then drink a cup of fresh water before the main course.
When people lining up outside the camp to collect their free iftar food, Xinhua reporter got a chance to interview a few of them. Sara ben Shaban, a tourist from Libya, said she observed the fast all day but did not feel tired at all. Another Turkish girl Aishe said the first day of fasting was difficult for her ?? weather was hot in Istanbul and fasting hour was long in the summer. ?But I will get used to it soon,? she said.
Istanbul?s governor, H?seyin Avni Mutlu, came to the food camp to celebrate the iftar meal together with more than 3,000 citizens. He greeted people and wished them a happy Ramadan. Keep saying ?Allah kabul etsin? (May God accepts your good deeds), Mutlu walked through iftar tables and shook hands with people.
A typical Ramadan day for observant Muslims begins by suhoor, a pre-dawn meal taken in the early morning. These days in Istanbul, the suhoor has to be taken before four o?clock. Abstinence from food or drink lasts from dawn to dust, until iftar time. The total fasting time in Istanbul is around 17 hours. Ramadan this year will start on July 20 and end on August 18.
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