At Delhi’s Jama Masjid, no one goes hungry at iftar
It is another evening of Ramzan. Five minutes before sunset, 28-years-old Mohammad Uzair is hovering around a never-ending dining spread in the northern corner of the courtyard of Delhi’s Jama Masjid. “Khaala, paani piyo filhaal (aunty, take water as of now),” he tells an elderly woman, who wants a portion of the meal. Uzair’s supply is over after arranging iftar platters — each containing two dates, one banana, pakodas and a glass of shikanji — for over 300 people on the dastarkhwan (dining spread).
Apart from families who carry their own iftar meals, roughly 500 people come to the Jama Masjid every evening empty-handed, with the hope of getting an iftar platter. Uzair’s family hosts one of the four mass iftar meals in the courtyard, primarily for such people. “In the initial days, we organise iftar meals for 200 people. We keep increasing the number every week thereafter. By the last Friday of the month, we have arrangements for around 1,000 people,” says Uzair, who procures fruits in bulk from Azadpur mandi and has a chef at home who cooks snacks every day throughout the month.
According to one Hadith or narration from the life of Prophet Muhammad, he is believed to have encouraged his followers to arrange iftar meals, in whatever capacity possible. Thousands of Muslims have been organising mass iftar programs worldwide since. In the Middle East, USA and UK, there are institutions, committees, organisations and even government bodies that organise mass iftar programmes.
In India, it is common to find individuals, gatherings and RWAs sending iftar meals to neighbourhood mosques. Families like Uzair’s do their bit by organising mass iftar meals inside Jama Masjid. Effectively, it means that if you are passing by a neighbourhood mosque during iftar, just enter and you will get an iftar meal for you to break your fast. “Many needy people, women, children and travellers have nowhere but the mosques to go to for iftar. Apart from residents of the locality, people involved in management of all mosques keep enough supply of evening meal,” says Mehtab Rahi, an Old Delhi resident.
Make no mistake. You don’t have to be on a fast or a Muslim to be able to relish iftar meals. People from all faiths, ethnicities and states throng the mosque. “Mass iftar meals give a sense of belonging and togetherness to the Muslim brethren. At the same time, it is a way to bond with people from diverse backgrounds,” says Nooruddin.
Mohammad Mustaqim, a rickshaw puller, has been coming to Jama Masjid for iftar for seven years. “I came here for the first time to pray and thinking that I may get something to break my fast. This is a blessing,” he said.