Living inside the hectic Beltway has become a bit easier for those observing Ramadan, with several restaurants in and around Washington offering an iftar menu during the holy month.
The National has hand-picked three spots featuring different cuisines with special menus that can be enjoyed during Ramadan.
The Ottoman Taverna
Break your fast to the sound of the oud and the smell of freshly baked bread at the Ottoman Taverna, which offers a four-course iftar menu that includes soup, an appetiser, a main course and dessert.
For $36, you can tuck into a wholesome and elegant Turkish iftar in the Mount Vernon Triangle.
With friendly staff and decor inspired by Ottoman mosques, you will feel like you are breaking your fast in bustling Istanbul.
We especially loved the Cig Cofte and the Beyti Kebab.
Bawadi
If you’re looking to get together with family and friends for iftar, Bawadi is the place to be.
The Palestinian-Jordanian owners offer a taste of the Middle East for newcomers to Levantine cuisine as well as a taste of home for those looking to get in touch with their roots.
Although it is located about 13 kilometres outside Washington in northern Virginia, the wide variety of classic Levantine iftar items is worth the trip.
The $36 buffet includes dishes such as hummus, sambusek, moutabbal, mlukhiyeh, musakhan, mansaf and stuffed lamb.
The restaurant has a main dining area with decor inspired by Palestinian culture as well as two tent-like terraces that book up early, so be sure to reserve your table ahead of time.
Lapis
With a nostalgic, Kabul vibe, Lapis offers an excellent four-course iftar menu that includes an appetiser, a vegetarian dish, a main dish and dessert with tea or coffee.
For $40, you can treat yourself and your friends and family to a lovely Ramadan iftar.
The paintings that adorn the walls were drawn by Afghan children who moved to the US in the past year following the Taliban takeover.
Those looking to donate to helping the people of Afghanistan can do so via a designated box near the paintings.
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5 West Ham 26 12 6 8 45 34 42
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6 Arsenal 23 13 3 7 36 26 42
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Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
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Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
