The multipurpose iftar on Corniche

[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="The multipurpose iftar on Corniche" ids="66075,66071,66072,66073,66074"] MANY families on the eastern and western coasts of Saudi Arabia choose to go to the Corniche to break their fast while enjoying the salubrious climate and listening to the music of the sea. Some family members, both young and elderly, use the opportunity to walk in the area set aside for jogging, which has become a new Ramadan tradition for many. Families go out after Asr (late afternoon) prayer with the aim of breaking the monotonous routine and break their fast on the Corniche, where they meet many people with similar interests and make friends with them. Saud Al-Nuaman, who lives close to Jeddah Corniche, has made it a point to break his fast with family members on the seashore on most days of Ramadan, especially when the weather is pleasant. “It helps us break the routine at home,” he told Al-Madinah Arabic daily. “It will also give our children a chance to play outdoors,” he added. Sulaiman Al-Hamoud prefers iftar on the Corniche for two reasons: To enjoy the wonderful weather and to walk in the jogging area for an hour before breaking fast. He believes that jogging before iftar would encourage him to continue his physical exercise even after Ramadan in order to protect his health. Nawaf Al-Dahilan said his family has made it a custom to break fast on the Corniche once a week during Ramadan. “This is mainly to give my wife a time-out as she prepares food daily.” He said he would purchase the main course for iftar on a particular day of the week from a good restaurant in Dammam and go to the Corniche. “We have noticed that our children are very happy when we go out to the Corniche for iftar. So, for us this is a multipurpose project,” said Al-Dahilan. Eissa Ali has a different opinion and said he prefers to have iftar at home, instead of the Corniche. However, he likes to go to the beach after iftar and spend some time there relaxing. “I sit on the seashore after iftar to have a tea or coffee and have some rest before going for the Isha prayer,” he explained. “This is my daily practice as my house is located close to the Corniche.”