A meal and a prayer for iftar at Kottaimedu near Ukkadam, where the evening bustle is followed by prayerful silence
We join over 500 men
Iftar being readied at a wedding hall on behalf of Kottai Thareekathul Islam Shafia Jamath Mosque at Kottaimedu near Ukkadam; (below) children who are about to break their fast. sense of urgency is in the air. Ponvizha Mahal, a wedding hall in a bylane off Eswaran Kovil Street in Kottaimedu, is enveloped in the sweet smell of biryani. With less than 45 minutes to go for iftar, the fastbreaking evening meal during Ramzan, members of the Thareekathul Islam Shafia Jamath are preparing to welcome over 500 people to partake in nonbu kanji, mutton biryani, paruppu vadai, and mango juice. B A Badurdeen, the vicepresident of the group that is affiliated to the Kottai Thareekathul Islam Shafia Jamath Mosque, is pouring mango juice into a row of steel tumblers. Nearby, other members are scooping biryani into plates to be placed at waiting tables.
“This is a yearly tradition,” says Badurdeen, pausing to dip a jug into a gigantic steel vessel filled with juice with ice cubes floating atop. Every year,
AYthe jamath, that is over 80 years old, offers free iftar through Ramzan. Contributions come from its members, most of whom are from Coimbatore.
Today’s meal, is an offering by A Amanulla, a Hyderabadbased businessman who is originally from the city. “I have long been having the niyat [intention] to do so,” says Amanulla, adding that his offering is in memory of his father who passed away last month. Amanulla had to book his slot a month ahead since he was keen to sponsor a nonvegetarian meal — the jamath serves nonveg only on weekends.
On other days, the iftar menu consists of dishes such as uthappam and coconut chutney, idiyappam with coconut milk, parotta with kadalai curry, and vegetable biryani, with a side of vadai and a juice, along with nonbu kanji, that is served every day. “Apart from the meal, we also offer kanji for 1000 people every day,” adds A Sidique, the secretary.
The Kottaimedu mosque dates back to
1936; it was registered in 1942. A lot of planning goes into iftar at the mosque. “We meet a month ahead to decide on the menu, among other things,” explains Badurdeen, adding, “People from the neighbourhood also contribute food.” Just then, 11yearold A Adil and his sister Minha Fatima walk in to drop off the warm chapatis and kurma their mother has made. This is served along with the preplanned meal.
Soon, people start walking in to take their seats at the long tables arranged in rows at the hall: in front of them, are plates of hot biryani and onion raita, a side of vadai and a date, a bowl of kanji, and a tumbler of mango juice. They do not touch their food yet: the fast will be broken by 6.37pm sharp.
Behind, in the kitchen, A Zenat and team, who are part of Selvapurambased Jameela’s catering service, look on as bowlfuls of biryani they have cooked, are being moved to the serving area. They cooked 60 kilograms of the dish, along with 60 kilograms of
kanji, for which they started the prep work at noon.
It is 6.15pm and the hall is almost full; Mohammed Ali, a jamath member, stands at the entrance, welcoming people.
“Nombaali [one who is fasting], take a seat,” he says, showing the way inside. Mohammad Yusuf, dressed in a white kurta and dhoti, is seated near the door, watching the men walking in. The 75yearold grew up on Vincent Street in the neighbourhood. “There are 190 pallivaasal
[mosques] in the city, and all of them offer free iftar meals,” says Yusuf, who once owned a soda factory in the neighbourhood.
The hum of conversation rents the air as the hall is now filled to the brim. Gradually, voices turn into whispers, and finally, die down as the clock strikes 6.37pm. Those who have gathered close their eyes in prayer. The air is thick with stillness, and the silent invocation of over 500 men. Outside, on the steps, a vagrant, drawn by the promise of a meal, takes refuge. Sidique hurries to offer him a plate of chapati and kurma
before he breaks his fast. No one is left out.