Breaking Fast With Dates

Muslims around the world break their fast with dates, an essential part of Ramadan, which is historically linked to the Islamic culture.

This Muslim ritual is said to have begun with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) around the seventh century.

That tradition has transformed the date into a massive industry in the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia alone, more than 21 million palm trees produce 884,000 tons of dates a year, making the kingdom one of the largest date producers.

Science has proven that dates are an essential part of a healthy diet, as they contain sugar, fat and proteins as well as important vitamins and are also rich in natural fibres.

Modern medicine has shown that dates are effective in preventing abdominal cancer. They also surpass other fruits in the sheer variety of their constituents that include oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium.

Dates are also popular in Malaysia, with the fruit easily available at wet markets as well as the shelves of local supermarkets. Date baskets are also common gifts during the Ramadan.

At hotels where buka puasa events for the media are held, plates of dates are placed on dining tables, with more of the fruits at the buffet section. At most of these gatherings, each guest is given a door gift containing a package of dates.

This date ritual reminds me of an advertisement on Ramadan in 2006. It simply shows a plate with three dates on it. Just a sober but cutting reminder to Muslims to reflect on how they observe their fasting month.

It’s main message over a plate containing three dates reads: “Somewhere out there, this is all someone can afford for buka puasa today. If he’s lucky enough.”

The community service advertisement calls on those fasting not to forget the true spirit of fasting and spare a thought before indulging in lavish buka puasa spreads.

In a world that has become a global village with a free market and a free economy, an increasing number of people are falling victim to wars, hunger, incurable diseases, internal strife, and human rights abuses.

The word "Ramadan" comes from the Arabic root word for "parched thirst" and "sun-baked ground." It is expressive of the hunger and thirst felt by those who spend the month in fasting. As opposed to other holidays, when people often indulge, Ramadan is by nature a time of sacrifice.

We know that all major battles in Islamic history were fought and won during the month of Ramadan. There are still battles to be fought and won --against poverty, intolerance, prejudice, racism and terror.

Let us pray for peace and security for the whole world.