Advent of Ramzan sees mosques welcome worshipers to community Iftar in Mumbai

Mumbai: The Muslim holy month of Ramzan began on a pious note Thursday. As the first fast broke at 6.43 pm, Iftar gatherings were organised at mosques citywide, right from the expansive Minara Masjid in Mohammed Ali Road to the Four Bungalows Kabrastan Masjid in Andheri. Big and small contributions of dates, fruit, fritters and sherbet poured in from the community.It is believed that the rewards of virtue and charity multiply 70 times during Ramzan. As a result, most Muslims opt to disburse the mandatory annual Zakaat donation this time of year. On Thursday mosques, madrassas and charitable institutions updated their social media profiles and invited donors to contribute generously. Throngs of male worshipers arrived at mosques for the five daily prayers followed by the special Taraweeh congregational namaz that is offered each night and involves the serialised recitation of the Holy Quran.
Sehri parties and Iftar delicacies are a seasonal attraction for Muslims as well as non-Muslims. Restaurants have begun curating delectable Iftar menus that include dates, biryanis of various kinds, kebabs, patti samosa filled with chicken or mutton, firni, sheerqorma, gulrosh beverage or watermelon juice. Residents of the suburbs arrived to shop at Jogeshwari (W) Iftar bazaar outside the station, which some feel scores over Mohammed Ali Road in terms of sanitation, less crowd, affordability as well as courteous vendors. "It is heartening that the lowest common rozedar finds options like three coin-sized veg kebabs for Rs 10. These are prepared using besan and spices while the meatier kebabs cost Rs 25-30 apiece," said a regular visitor.Meanwhile, the 40-day Christian fasting season of Lent began at Ash Wednesday, Feb 18. People forego meat or liquor, or fast on certain days of the week. Fr Michael Pinto, parish priest of Our Lady of Salvation Church, Dadar, said, "We are observing Lent with the theme 'Staying with Jesus and Resting in His Arms'. We will host a three-day English mission led by Fr Bineesh from Satyagiri Retreat House and a Konkani mission by Fr Raju from Goa. The programme aims to help the faithful reflect on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Parishioners will participate in corporal works of mercy, putting faith into action through service and outreach."