Iran: This Bread is Banned During Ramadan

A member of the city council of Makoo in northwest Iran, Hojjat Bam, told the website "Ruydad 24" that bakeries in the city that make "Barbari bread" have been instructed to stop doing so during the month of Ramadan. According to a statement from the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prohibition of Vice, Barbari bread bakeries in Makoo, West Azerbaijan Province, will close their doors during the morning hours throughout Ramadan. The reason for this decision is that Barbari bread is typically associated with the morning breakfast, which could remind fasting individuals of food. Therefore, it has been decided to close Barbari bakeries in the morning during Ramadan. Vardi Hassan Zadeh, the head of the Bakers' Union in Urmia, the capital of West Azerbaijan Province, confirmed the news, stating that during Ramadan, Lavash bread will continue to be available from 6 AM until the end of the morning shift, but Barbari bakeries will start their services at 3 PM until half an hour before the iftar.