ARDEBIL, Iran: To share iftar table with friends and families is very common in Ardebil, northwestern city of Iran, and there are certain days that the poor receive some rice, chicken, and butter. The villagers around the city follow that in much simpler way by having date, sugar, and tea.

Before beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, women in Ardebil were busy with making rice flour for various cookies or pastry and a local rose-flavored jam, Zahra Ne’mati, an anthropologist at Ardebil Anthropological Museum, said.

On the third day, numerous assemblies are formed to recite the Holy Quran in full for the rest of the month.

The ‘Raisin Prayer’ occurs on day 23 when the reciters reach Yasin Sura in the order of reading. Raisins made ready for this day are turned around in a large tray and offered to the reciters as they continue the sura.

When the tray appears before each individual, he blows into it and the raisins are then believed blessed with unique qualities. They are given to infertile women and sick children for cure.

“Offering the raisins to the students during the exams is also believed to increase their intelligence,” she added.

On the last day of Ramadan, they pass the read volume of the Quran over a pot holding water, rosewater, rainwater (saved from spring time by women) and water from Zam Zam Spring in the holy city of Makkah and they break the fast (iftar) with that water.