Ramadan and iftar

Breaking the fast

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. A meal called saharlik is eaten before dawn, and in the evening families, neighbours and friends gather for iftar: the fast is broken with dates or water, followed by tea, bread, shurpa and plov. A favourite iftar sweet is snow-white nisholda.

In 2023 ‘Iftar and its socio-cultural traditions’ was inscribed on UNESCO’s list in a joint nomination by Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Iran and Türkiye. Iftar strengthens family and community ties and expresses generosity and hospitality.

For travellers

Because it follows the lunar calendar, Ramadan moves about eleven days earlier each year, and the month ends with Ramazon hayiti (see that entry for dates). In Uzbekistan restaurants and cafés open as usual during the fast, but it is courteous not to eat or smoke near mosques and shrines in daytime. In the evening iftar tables are laid in teahouses and mahallas — if you are invited, it is a rare window onto local life.