Udupi: Community bonding - 800 people come together for Iftar at Jamia Masjid

Sheeja Moodubelle
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM)

Udupi, Jul 18: Dates and water to break the fast, followed by heavier meals such as chicken biryani, ghee rice and fruits accompanied by delicacies such as Hareera (made with rava) or Sheer Kurma (made with vermicelli)...these and more are on the menu of the district's largest mosque Jamia Masjid. The lavish spread is offered to more than 800 persons every evening for Iftar and afterwards.

With a capacity to accommodate 3,000 worshipers at a time, the Masjid, built at the cost of Rs 4 cr, was inaugurated on August 10, 2012. The previous mosque could house around 300 to 400 members especially during Iftar.

The Udupi Jamia Masjid and Muslim welfare association together organize the Iftar.

The holy month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting and abstinence. The devout abstain from consuming food and drink from dawn to dusk and engage in charity work. Each evening,  families or friends together break the fast.

Mohammed Moula, president of Muslim Welfare Association said, "Muslims believe that giving food for Iftar (breaking the fast) is a form of charity and is also rewarding. We have a complete booking for all the 30 days of Ramadan from individual sponsors for Iftar."

"The expenses for one Iftar is more than Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000. People prefer to break the fast with community than at home or hotels without any differences of social status," he said.

At Jamia Masjid, Iftar preparations commence hours before sunset and the meals are kept ready. Iftar is followed by prayers and then the heavier meal follows.

Moula added that Ramadan this year began on July 9 and will continue for 30 days. The fasting begins on a daily basis at sunrise which is around 4.25 am and the Iftar is at sunset at around 7 pm.

“Good deeds of the Ramadan month include fasting, devotion, compassion, generosity, forgiveness and repentance, which we have to adopt in our life for the rest of the year. This is the message of God,” the Moula added.

"Fasting is obligatory on all adult Muslims except those who are ill or travelling. Muslims try to move closer to Almighty Allah, seeking His forgiveness and mercy by offering 'namaz' five times a day as on other days of the year, and also the additional namaz during night called 'Taraweeh' and 'Tahajjud', and also reading of the holy Quran," he said.