Fasting reminds Muslims of the suffering of the poor who often don't get to eat well.

During Ramadan most Muslims will tend to wake up just before sunrise to eat a meal or some food and this is known as Sehri or Suhoor. They will then not be able to eat or drink again until sunset when it is traditional to open the fast with a date and then eat and this meal is known as Ithar or Iftari

The reason people open their fasts with a date is because this is what the Prophet Mohammed is supposed to have broken his fast with. Some people hold Iftari parties where they prepare lots of food and then invite people round to eat.