Mass Iftar at Masjids revive spirit of equality and fraternity

Mangalore, August 4: Breaking fast in congregations in Masjids is one of the phenomenon that has become popular across Mangalore over the last few years.

Hundreds of believers throng different Masjids during Ramadan evenings for Iftar and over the years the arrangements for such congregation has significantly improved with respective Masjid committees taking extra interest in organizing such get-togethers.

Iftar is breaking fast at sunset after a day of fasting. Traditionally this meal is shared by families, neighbors and friends who get together to break-fast and enjoy each-others company.

But over the years, for various reasons, the Iftar get-togethers in Masjids have become a norm. Tens of thousands of fasting Muslims benefit because of this noble practice and this comes as a big relief for those who cannot get back to their respective homes for Iftar due to a number of reasons.

There is a large chunk of Muslim population who come to Mangalore for work and cannot return home in time for Iftar because of duty timings and other factors. There is also a sizeable number of Muslim students and employees who live in hostels and can't make their own arrangements for breaking fast. For such people, the Iftar gatherings at Masjids come as a big relief.

Eidgah Masjid in Mangalore is believed to have pioneered the concept of mass Iftar in the city. But, the practice of breaking fast at Masjids had been in vogue for a long time. People used to come to Masjids with their Iftar food and break-fast in the Masjid. People of different strata of the society used to come with their food and sit in separate small groups and share the food. Although the sense of sharing would be high on each one's mind, there used to be some amount of separation based on economic and social status of the people.

“The rich and affluent would come with their basket of food and share it with their own group. The working class and the commoners would sit separately with their own small plates. Although everyone came to the Masjid with noble intention of sharing and joining Magrib Namaz on time, the divisions were far too visible to be ignored,” said a volunteer who is associated with the Iftar arrangements ever since it started in 1996.

The arrangement for Iftar at the Masjid has come for special praise from the people who have been there. “There are about 10 items served every day. Apart from fruits like apple, musambi, sapota, papaya, we also get samosas, soji, sharbat and tea,” says Mohammed Nayeem, a daily wage worker from Talapady, who is a regular at the Iftar gathering.

The expenses of the Iftar works out to Rs. 5,000 per day and philanthropists come forward to take up sponsorship for a day or two. “There is a noble hearted person, who takes care of the expenses of 10 days. We don't go after people seeking sponsorships. People approach us on their own. Nearly 400 to 450 people come to the Masjid for breaking fast,” says the volunteer.

Since the Masjid is situated close to a number of colleges and other educational institutions, the number of non-resident students are more at the gatherings.

The management of Taqwa Masjid has also taken special efforts in organizing collective Ifthar meets. Nearly 500 believers partake in the Iftar on a daily basis. Since, the Masjid is situated on the Highway, the number of wayfarers is more compared to other Majids.

The following pictures bring glimpses of the mass-Iftar scenes at Eidgah Masjid, Light House Hill, and Taqwa Masjid, Pumpwell.