Iftar at holy Madinah mosque costs $670,000 a day

Ahlul Bayt News Agency, The Saudi Gazette reported the cost of each meal – which includes yoghurt, dates, dugga and Saudi coffee – amounts to at least SR2.5 per person ($0.66). The tradition differs from that of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, where only dates and Saudi coffee are allowed.

The Madinah tradition is for residents of the city to serve worshippers, and preparations begin from 3pm onwards every day, the newspaper said.

More than 10,000 citizens and residents wheel the food into the mosque on small carts, and the Presidency supplies Zamzam water in more than 20,000 water coolers.

Each person is given 12 minutes to break their fast, before workers move in again and prepare the mosque for Maghreb prayer..