What time is Suhoor and Iftar each day?
RAMADAN 2023 is underway with Muslims observing a month-long period of religious devotion.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking after dawn and before dusk, making morning and late evening meals vital for sustaining their fast.
What is Suhoor?
Suhoor (also known as Sehri) is an Islamic term, which literally means "of the dawn."
Suhoor is known as the meal of the dawn, which means it is the food Muslims consume in the morning ahead of their fast.
This meal is consumed prior to the morning prayer, known as Fajr.
The exact time that Suhoor takes place will differ per region due to the time of sunrise and usually ends when the first light appears at -18 degrees.
Read More on Ramadan
This means that you must stop eating before the break of dawn and each person is expected to estimate the time they take to eat Suhoor in the morning.
Sufficient time should be given to eat as after Sehri the morning prayers, known as Fajr, will commence.
The morning meal often provides energy for the rest of the day until dusk and it is recommended that people eat high-protein foods such as eggs, grains, dairy, and meat. Fruit and vegetables are also commonly consumed.
It is important that those that are fasting do not skip Suhoor as it is vital in helping one sustain energy levels throughout the day.
It is also a good time to hydrate for the day as Muslims cannot drink as part of their fast.
What time is Suhoor or Sehri (EST)?
With days getting longer as summer approaches, dawn arrives earlier each day.
This means the time of Suhoor will also be earlier each day during the month of Ramadan:
- Thursday, March 23 - 5.39am
- Friday, March 24 - 5.37am
- Saturday, March 25 - 5.35am
- Sunday, March 26 - 5.34am
- Monday March 27 - 5.32am
- Tuesday, March 28 - 5.30am
- Wednesday, March 29 - 5.28am
- Thursday, March 30 - 5.26am
- Friday, March 31 - 5.25am
- Saturday, April 1 - 5.23am
- Sunday, April 2 - 5.21am
- Monday, April 3 - 5.19am
- Tuesday, April 4 - 5.17am
- Wednesday, April 5 - 5.15am
- Thursday, April 6 - 5.14am
- Friday, April 7 - 5.12am
- Saturday, April 8 - 5.10am
- Sunday, April 9 - 5.08am
- Monday, April 10 - 5.06am
- Tuesday, April 11 - 5.04am
- Wednesday, April 12 - 5.03am
- Thursday, April 13 - 5.01am
- Friday, April 14 - 4.59am
- Saturday, April 15 - 4.57am
- Sunday, April 16 - 4.55am
- Monday, April 17 - 4.53am
- Tuesday, April 18 - 4.52am
- Wednesday, April 19 - 4.50am
- Thursday, April 20 - 4.48am
What is Iftar?
Iftar is the meal eaten after the fourth prayer of the day, the Maghrib, which happens just after sunset.
In Arabic, iftar means "break of a fast," and fatoor means "breakfast."
It is the second meal of the day during Ramadan as those taking part in the fast must not eat or drink anything during daylight hours.
Iftar is considered a blessing, often enjoyed as a community.
It is thought not eating during daylight hours, as well as not drinking, smoking or indulging in sex will lead to greater "taqwa" or consciousness of God.
The time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship is thought to teach followers how to be more self-disciplined and have empathy for those less fortunate.
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What time is Iftar (EST)?
With days getting longer as summer approaches, dusk arrives later each day:
- Thursday, March 23 - 7.10am
- Friday, March 24 - 7.11am
- Saturday, March 25 - 7.12am
- Sunday, March 26 - 7.13am
- Monday, March 27 - 7.14am
- Tuesday, March 28 - 7.15am
- Wednesday, March 29 - 7.16am
- Thursday, March 30 - 7.17am
- Friday, March 31 - 7.18am
- Saturday, April 1 - 7.19am
- Sunday, April 2 - 7.20am
- Monday, April 3 - 7.22am
- Tuesday, April 4 - 7.23am
- Wednesday, April 5 - 7.24am
- Thursday, April 6 - 7.25am
- Friday, April 7 - 7.26am
- Saturday, April 8 - 7.27am
- Sunday, April 9 - 7.28am
- Monday, April 10 - 7.29am
- Tuesday, April 11 - 7.30am
- Wednesday, April 12 - 7.31am
- Thursday, April 13 - 7.32am
- Friday, April 14 - 7.33am
- Saturday, April 15 - 7.34am
- Sunday, April 16 - 7.35am
- Monday, April 17 - 7.36am
- Tuesday, April 18 - 7.37am
- Wednesday, April 19 - 7.38am
- Thursday, April 20 - 7.40am