In Islam, the Arabic word “hem” or “siyam” refers to the religious fast that takes place during Ramadan. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. During Ramadan, all Muslims must basically fast.
From dawn until sunset, Muslim brothers and sisters are not allowed to eat or drink anything, nor to consume any stimulants (such as cigarettes). They must also abstain from sexual intercourse. The meal for breaking the fast in the evening is called “iftar”. The last meal in the morning is called Sahur.
In Islam, the breaking of the fast “Iftar” takes place during Ramadan. Iftar refers to the evening meal that is eaten every evening during the period of Ramadan. According to ancient custom, many Muslims first eat some dried dates. This is accompanied by a glass of water or milk. Muslims then pray together. By the way, the term Iftar also refers to breakfast outside of fasting. In fact, in Egypt and some other Arab countries, breakfast is called Iftar. In addition, the term can also mean a family meal, a feast in a mosque, or a meal of considerable size in another public place.