Bangladesh's century old Iftar market comes alive with distinct appeal to Ramadan food connoisseurs

DHAKA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- It has become a tradition for many Muslims to procure Iftar items from the market in Bangladesh capital Dhaka during Ramadan, the month of self-purification through fasting and abstinence.

For over a century, the market, located at Chawkbazar in the old part Dhaka, carries the tradition of being the Bangladesh capital's largest and most popular market for Iftar, the evening meal when Muslim break their fast.

There is no exception this time. Like previous years, the festive atmosphere this year prevailed before sundown in Chawkbazar market where makeshift stall owners and itinerant vendors sell food items to thousand of customers.

Hundreds of makeshift shops were seen Sunday busy selling the unique and traditional items for Iftar.

City dwellers believe that the traditional Iftar items in this market have a distinct appeal to the food connoisseurs after daylong fasting during this month.

People were buying food items for Iftar including several types of fruits, delicious kebab, custard and curd.

Muslims follow a lunar calendar and a moon-sighting methodology that can lead to different countries in declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart.

Bangladesh Muslims began fasting for the holy month of Ramadan on Friday.

Traditionally, countries announce if their moon-sighting council spots the Ramadan crescent the evening before fasting begins.

Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, one of the largest Muslim religious festivals. Enditem