Middle Eastern cuisine becomes a banquet, with exchanges of invitations between kin and friends, and public banquets held by charities and associations. Cafes and pastry shops are open at night, and a carnival atmosphere prevails in the streets. Many Muslims, following the reported example of Muhammad, break their fast with a date, followed by a variety of dishes. Sweet pastries and puddings are always present on Ramadan nights everywhere. The end of Ramadan is marked by a festival, Id 'al-Fitr, a feast that breaks the fast, during which a great quantity and variety of sweets and pastries are consumed. The other major Muslim
Fasting during Ramadan Fasting during Ramadan During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims are obligated to fast (, "sawm"), every day from dawn to sunset (or from dawn to night according to some scholars). Fasting requires the abstinence from food, drink . Fasting the month of Ramadān was made obligatory (wājib) during the month of Sha‘bān, in the second year after the Muslims migrated from Makkah to Madīnah. Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is specifically mentioned in three consecutive verses of the Qur'an: O ye who believe! Fasting is