Ramzan razzmatazz

With three days left for Eid, Muslims have started to throng areas like Panja and Besant road to shop. All mosques in the city were found packed to their capacity as it was the last Friday of the holy month.

Muslims consider the month sacred as they believe that the Holy Quran descended during Ramzan. A lot of people belonging to the community attended Shab-e-Khadar mid-night prayers on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. Mosques were decorated with colourful lights and green flags.

Women have already started their shopping for the festivity getting themselves clothes, footwear, holy literature apart from provisions such as ‘semiya’, ‘khazoor’ (dates), dry fruits, sugar, ghee and other paraphernalia to celebrate the occasion on a grand note. Muslims offer prayers for extra hours during the entire month. Iftar (breaking fast) functions are being held everywhere in the city with the participation of political leaders and officials. Panja centre in old city is abuzz with activity during the day and night with people of the community making preparations for daylong fasting which begins around 4.20 am and ends at 6.50 pm.

Haleem’s sales have shot up in the city. While mutton haleem is available for price in the range of Rs 100 to Rs 170 depending on the quality and quantity, chicken haleem sales are also reaping profits to the businessmen. For poor Muslims who have ration card, the State government is offering Ramzan Tohfa. Five kg of wheat flour, two kg sugar, one kg semiya and 100 gram ghee under the scheme.

In the open market, semiya is available at the price of Rs 100 a kg and Rs 120 a kg at Panja centre. The main road is occupied by stalls of semiya, haleem, dry fruits etc. “We are in the mode for a celebration as we successfully are completing our religious obligation of offering Namaz five times and fasting for one month. We have just started shopping,” said Md Salman of Panja centre.

By Noor Shaik