UNESCO registers Iftar as world’s intangible heritage

Iftar or Futoor is the name of the meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their fast during the Holy month of Ramadan. The other meal of the day for those who are fasting is called Suhoor, which is eaten early in the morning before dawn.

Iftar, also known as futoor (the Arabic word for breakfast), is a meal held every day during Ramadan at sunset. Fasting is one of the main pillars of Ramadan, and those observing the holiday do not consume any food or drink between sunrise and sunset. After evening prayer and sunset, Muslims break their fast with Iftar.

Iftar is the 22nd Iranian intangible global heritage registered commonly with Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey.

The registration happened at the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage is being held from Monday in Kasan, the Republic of Botswana.

Iftar is the name of the meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their fast during Ramadan. The tradition is implemented from generation to generation.

Still, the illumination art was registered as another intangible global heritage of Iran common with Tajikistan Uzbekistan, and Turkey.

Illumination is the art of decorating a page for embedding a manuscript; the work is then turned into an ‘illuminated manuscript.’

Iran’s Sadeh Festival also is to be examined in the 18th session of the UNESCO session which is common with Tajikistan.

The 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage began on December 4 and is underway until December 9.

MNA/Iran Press