"Hundreds of people gathered in Ho Chi Minh City's District 8 on Saturday as the annual Cham Iftar Bazaar drew diners during Ramadan. Footage shows smoke rising from charcoal grills as vendors served kebabs, curries, grilled skewers and traditional sweets, alongside halal versions of Vietnamese dishes. Images also show people praying before breaking their fast and sitting down for a communal iftar. Ab-dohalim, a mosque official in Chanh Hung Ward, said the community organises the cooking and pricing to welcome visitors from other backgrounds. "Ramadan holds great significance. By fasting, we experience hunger and thirst, which allows us to understand the struggles of the poor and needy, inspiring compassion, love, and a readiness to share with those less fortunate," he said. The halal food market runs from February 17 to March 19 and attracts members of Vietnam's Cham Muslim community as well as other visitors looking to buy food for iftar. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and considered one of the holiest months for Muslims. During Ramadan, fasting is observed from dawn until sunset, and it is one of the five pillars of Islam."