Faith, feast & diplomacy at Jama Masjid

On the windy evening of Alvida Jumma, the last Friday of Ramzan, Naib Shahi Imam Shaban Bukhari and his wife Shazia Bukhari hosted a grand iftar for diplomats and friends, offering an insight into the tradition at the Jama Masjid.Dressed in their finest ensembles and gajras in hands, guests seized every moment to capture the golden hour. As the clock struck 6.36pm, crackers went off and maghrib prayers filled the air, the guests and rozadars broke their fast with nut-filled khajoor, followed by water, juice and fruit popsicles, overlooking thousands of devotees breaking their fasts in the courtyard. “The idea of having friends from different walks of life join us for iftar at Jama Masjid was to give them a peek into the culture and tradition of Ramzan,” said the host Shazia Bukhari, who curated the evening with fashion designer Mayyur Girotra. Kalyani Saha Chawla, who was a guest at the iftar evening, said, "It gives me goosebumps to be here. It is fascinating to feel the power of faith while observing people practice theirs. And I am praying for peace in the world, as I observe this."Michael Rees, Second Secretary, (Political), Australian High Commission, said with a distinct accent, “Yeh bahut gazab hai, kya nazara hai. It is beautiful to have witnessed South Asian Islamic culture and practices. It is interesting to see thousands of people coming together to break their fast.” A scrumptious feastFrom Purani Dilli specials like kuliya chaat and Lotan ke chhole-kulche to delicacies like biryani, haleem, kebabs, and fusion dishes such as edamame-stuffed paneer lababdar and fig-stuffed kofta, along with chaand-shaped barfis, ice cream-stuffed fruits, and jalebis – a wide variety of treats were served as part of the iftar. Intricate mehendi designs featuring crescent moons and lanterns were a popular choice among guests at the iftar gathering, adding to the festive charm of the evening