Iftar is one the key elements of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
It is the evening meal that Muslims have soon after the sun sets, marking the end of a particular day’s Ramadan fast. The day’s fast is broken at the time of the evening or Maghrib prayer. In the Muslim community, during Ramadan, this is second meal of the day; the first being the pre-dawn meal called “Suhur”.
Muslims believe that preparing and offering someone Iftar is a form of charity and is said to be spiritually very rewarding if observed with devotion and sincerity. This is scenario is quite visible at the Bilal Masjid in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk area, where between 500 to 800 Muslim faithful congregate to take part in a daily Iftar during Ramadan. As a practice, a plate of fruit (water melon and papaya) and some sherbet is offered by the Masjid management.
Brighter Kashmir spoke to Fayaz Punjabi (FP), the Khidmatgar (Chief Organiser) of Bilal Masjid. The interview:
BK: Please introduce yourself and tell us the process of Iftar at Bilal Masjid?
FP: My name is Fayaz Punjabi. I am the Khidmatgar (Chief Organiser of this masjid). If I were to talk about Iftari, I would say that Iftari used to be observed here before as well, but on a lower scale, say about 30 to 25 years back. I was then very young. Then Iftari consisted of offering milk and biscuits, which use to be procured from the market nearby. However, over the last eight to ten years, we have made a few changes as we felt that something more needed to be done to mark the occasion.
BK: What are the changes that the Bilal Mosque management has initiated?
FP: See, we felt that if Ramadan and Iftari is to be observed, it should be done in the proper way. The result of the changes made was that more people started coming for the evening prayers and Iftar, which was a good sign. By the grace of God & Allahtalla, this congregation is increasing by the day and there is a good response. We see people from all walks of life coming, from outside Kashmir, from markets, nearby villages, local inhabitants, etc.
BK: What more needs to be done to make the event of Iftari better?
FP: Judging by the large number of people attending the Iftari inside the Bilal Masjid complex, we have made a suggestion to the local administrative and municipal authorities to create facilities for Iftari, preferably near markets or business hubs, from where required items can be purchased with ease.
BK: In your estimate, how many people participate in the Iftari?
FP: I would say that between 500 to 700 people attend the Iftari on a daily basis at the Bilal Masjid. This can go up at times to 650 to 750 people. As per routine, I can say 550 to 600 people a day during the Ramadan month.
BK: Given this many people, a lot of planning must be going into making all arrangements for the evening Iftari?
FP: Yes, of course! In the morning we order the fruits (water melon and papaya) from the wholesale market, we start our work and preparations from around 10 a.m. or 10.30 a.m. We have to arrange for glasses, or tumblers and plates, and by the evening, we are ready to serve the people.
BK: How many people do you have to assist you with the preparations?
FP: We have four or five permanent staff to assist us at present. In the evening, an additional six to seven persons join these four and five to ensure that the Iftari arrangements are done in a smooth and timely manner.
BK: How important do you think is the holding of Iftar? There are so many people visiting markets and business hubs, so, should there not be more places where Iftaris can be organised and held?
FP: Yes, I think this would be a good step going forward. At least in market areas, the shopkeepers must think of ways to organise and hold Iftaris. As I have already said, people from different walks of life are coming to these markets and areas in Kashmir, there are locals, tourists, etc., so arrangements should be made for them, especially during Ramadan. If such a facility is available, it is a good thing isn’t it? To observe Iftar and to offer or make arrangements for an Iftari is beneficial for both. It is not a one-sided initiative where only one or the other benefits; it benefits both – the one who is doing it and the one who is offering to do it. This is a good thing, this is a good culture. This must happen.