Middle East students eager to celebrate Ramzan at 'home'

HYDERABAD: Hamzah Bin Omer, a student from Saudi Arabia who moved to the city close to a year ago, is looking forward to his first Ramzan in Hyderabad. He has heard enough from his seniors to be enchanted about it and even decided to come back from home during the summer vacation so as to spend the festival month in the city. In anticipation of the mouth-watering Haleem and visits to the Charminar night bazaar, Hamzah is counting days to the holy month.
True to the spirit of Ramzan, the multicultural and compassionate nature of Hyderabad and Hyderabadis shines through the month, feel students from the Middle East who call Asal Hyderabad of the old quarters their second home. And more than anything, the foreign youngsters are completely taken in by the night life, unique to this month alone. "It is almost like a different city. The shops are open till late in the night. Commuting is no problem as autos are available all through the night. Hyderabad becomes safer and one can easily sink into the city's culture during this one month," says Najwa, a student from Lebanon who will spend her fourth Ramzan in the city this year.
Most universities which host foreign students like the University of Hyderabad or the English and Foreign Languages University (Eflu) have provisions of morning meals in the hostel mess. In spite of that, many of the Middle Eastern students prefer to cook the 'sehri' (morning meal) on their own. Yemeni student Fawwaz An-nashef describes Ramzan delicacies like Satah (made with pieces of bread soaked in stew of meat) or Mahaladiah (a sweet dish) which are a must for them for the morning meal. Every 'sehri' ends with a glass of milk topped with honey, and dates.
Iftar (breaking the fast), for these students, is less about feasting and more about coming together. Every student entertains at least four to five guests, irrespective of religions and nationalities, during the Iftar meal. For those who cook at home, a hot favourite is a dish made of curd, bread slices and green chillies called Shafoot. For others it's a mandatory trip to Alhamadulilla in Nampally or Shadaab at Madina. "Even if we break our fast with fruits, we make sure that at least six days a week we travel to the Old City for Biryani and Haleem as it adds to the festive mood," says Mateen Khan Barakzai from Yemen who has been in the city for the last two years.
For many, the month is also about giving and sharing. "It is an absolute must for all of us to do charity during the month. We contribute some amount every year and buy new clothes for people who sleep in railway stations or footpaths. One night during the month we travel across the city handing over gifts to the needy," said Sumayah, a 28-year-old Tazik studying in OU.