Sehri and iftar

Sehri (in Arabic suhoor) is the meal before dawn and iftar is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset. In many places a date and a glass of water begin iftar, followed by prayer and then a fuller meal.

Timing

Sehri should end before the start of Fajr; the "sehri ends" column in our tables is the start of Fajr, and many mosques mark the end of sehri a few minutes earlier to be safe. Iftar is at Maghrib, the time of sunset. On this site both times are calculated for your city; see the city pages.

Food ideas

• Sehri: oats or porridge, eggs, paratha with curd, lentils, fruit, a glass of milk or lassi and plenty of water.
• Iftar: dates and water, then soup, fruit chaat, pakoras in moderation, grilled or boiled protein, rice or roti with vegetables.

Common mistakes

• Skipping sehri; a meal before dawn makes the day easier.
• Drinking too little water in the hours between iftar and sehri.
• Eating very quickly or too much at iftar.

Dates of Ramadan depend on the sighting of the moon and can differ by a day between countries and communities (in India, often a day after Saudi Arabia). Times are calculated and may differ by a minute or two from your mosque's printed timetable, which often adds a few minutes of caution to the start of the fast. This page is not a religious ruling; follow your local mosque or a trusted scholar.