Iftars

During Ramadan, the meal that breaks the sun up to sun down fast each day is called the Iftar.  It literally means "to break the fast" and is quite often done with family and friends.  We had several opportunities to attend Iftar.

This one was probably my favorite.  It was in a little restaurant on the first floor of the building Barry's office is in.  We went two other couples, Michael and Sharmini (who we went to Jebel Dhanna with) and Dave and Suzy (Barry works with Dave).  The table was set with the traditional Iftar juices, bowls of dates, and large crocks of lentil soup.  Those are often what the fast is broken with and then the large meal.
The dinner was set up as a buffet and reminded me of going to Grandma's for Thanksgiving meal.  All the favorite Holiday selections, the food was amazing!
This picture was taken in a large Iftar tent outside the one of the big hotels.  Many of the hotels set them up for the entire month.  Many of the Muslims have taken long rest in the afternoon and hang out in these entertainment tents until two and three in the morning!This was the fanciest Iftar we attended.  It was a huge tent that seated well over a thousand outside the Emirates Palace Hotel.  This was the exterior of the tent.It was an event sponsored by the contractor (Al Habtoor) for the project Barry is working on.  (Sorbonne University)  
This was the entertainment inside the tent.  The food was as impressive!