Known as one of the earliest cultivated crops, the date unified Muslim communities all around the world. The fruit is especially important during Ramadan as many Muslims break their fast with a date and water as Prophet Mohammed was said to have done according to the hadith (a collection of sayings from the prophet).
The New York Times takes a look at the significance of the date which is right up there with reverence for the Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas ham and Passover matzo ball soup.
