Iftar (3)

Iftar literally means the breaking of the Ramadan fast after sunset. Hence, someone who did not hear the cannon and had a sip of water 89 minutes before sunrise is not technically eligible for iftar, since he is not fasting. Islam does not seem to have degrees of fasting, so a person who takes a single pill between dawn and sunset is not considered to be fasting. Islam does not require the seriously ill to fast, so taking an essential pill is allowed, but that single pill means the person who took it is not fasting at all, and is not eligible for iftar, but is only having a normal dinner when he joins the fasting Muslims having their iftar.

For some Muslims, iftar consists of nothing but a cigarette. This Ramadan, I was in a shop and witnessed a worker whose iftar consisted of nothing except a litre of water. For people who are engaged in other activities at sunset, a common iftar is a few dates and water, followed by dinner when they have the time. Somehow, Condoleezza Rice heard that dates and water are the traditional iftar, so, during Ramadan 2005, she invited the prominent Muslim diplomats in Washington over for iftar. Since she couldn't find any dates, each of her guests got three pieces of candy and a little bit of water.

For Ramadan 2006, one of the diplomats invited Ms. Rice to his country for iftar, and she accepted. The spread was similar to one of the extreme up scale Dubai iftar buffets, with dozens of elaborate dishes. Her host explained that, when one invites guests for iftar, it always means a full meal, not just the dates and water.

Ms. Rice is inviting diplomats in Washington to join her for iftar during Ramadan 2007. Presumably, this year they will get more than candy and water.