Unesco recognises Ramadan meal tradition of iftar

Egyptian Muslims gather in streets lined with long tables to break their Ramadan fast together in a mass 'iftar' meal in Ezbet Hamada in Cairo's Matariya suburb. Photo: AFP

The UN cultural agency on Wednesday recognised iftar, the meal that breaks the daytime fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on its list of intangible cultural heritage.

The application for the sociocultural tradition was jointly submitted by Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.