The date palm, mentioned more than any other fruit-bearing plant in the Qur’an, is a symbol often associated with Islam. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) is reported to have said, “A house without dates has no food.” And now the science has also proved that dates have full nutritional values. They are packed with all essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are required for normal growth, development and overall well-being. Muslims have an immediate need for this energy when they break their fast. One of the many physical benefits of breaking the fast with dates is that our body benefits from the date’s high level of natural sugars. Sugars travel most quickly to the liver, where they are converted into energy more quickly than any other nutrient.
No fasting person can think of an iftar table without dates. Almost every market and on every busy street we can find dates shops on moving carts during Ramadan in Hyderabad. Neeraj Kumar a date seller of Begum Bazar told that purchase of dates increases 100 times during Ramadan compared to other months. According to him mostly the dates are imported from Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and gulf countries. High quality Ajwa dates are available at Rs. 1800 to 2800 hundred per kg while the ordinary dates are available at Rs 70 to 80 per kg.
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