Faith, diplomacy and Ramzan spirit

Navigating the lanes of Shahjahanabad during the Ramzan rush, friends of Naib Shahi Imam Syed Shaban Bukhari and his wife Shazia Bukhari made their way to Jama Masjid to attend the grand iftar hosted by the couple – an evening that offered guests a glimpse into the traditions of Ramzan.

Usually off-limits to visitors, the terrace of the Masjid was opened for the gathering, offering guests a chance to watch the sun dip behind Masjid-i-Jehan-Numa. The vantage point revealed a rare golden hour view, allowing them to soak in the spirit of Ramzan while taking in the grandeur of the historic complex. “The idea behind hosting this iftar is to share with our guests the history and traditions. Hum chaahtein hain ki log aayein, culture ko samjhein… aur iss khoobsoorat manzar ko dekhein,” shared Naib Shahi Imam Syed Shaban Bukhari.

A terrace view of faith and festivity

As the clock struck 6.26pm, two firecrackers signalled the moment to break the fast. As the call for Maghrib prayers echoed through the air, guests and rozedars opened their fast with khajoor served in a fruit popsicle, along with water and Rooh Afza milk. From the terrace, they witnessed a moment of shared festivity and faith as thousands broke their fast in the sahn, the mosque’s courtyard. Dressed in everything from snowy whites to vibrant hues, guests in shararas and pathani suits took in the experience.

‘Bringing people together for peace and unity’

Designer Mayyur Girotra, who co-curated the evening with the Naib Shahi Imam’s wife Shazia, said, “The Bukhari family and I are in sync about bringing together people from all cultures and religions and talking about peace and unity, which the world needs the most right now.” Adding, “Guests were excited to be here because usually one can’t plan a visit to Jama Masjid amidst the daily hustle. Getting access to the private terrace — open only to the family — once a year makes the evening truly special.”

From mehendi to fare: A festive feast at iftar

The iftar spread brought together a generous mix of traditional favourites – from chaat staples such as gol gappe, aloo chaat, kuliya ki chaat and palak patta chaat to heartier dishes like halwa-paratha, mutton nihari, haleem, chicken biryani and palak chhole chawal. Chicken tikka and seekh kebabs added to the spread, while kulfi and kulhad coffee rounded off the meal. Many guests also offered their namaz in a space adorned with strands of fragrant mogra. Under the same dome, a mehendi corner added to the festive mood, with intricate designs of crescent moons, lotus motifs and stars proving especially popular among attendees.

“I make sure to come here every year. This is the third time I’m coming to Jama Masjid for the iftar and the atmosphere is really beautiful,” said Issa Saleh Alshibani, Ambassador of Oman.

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