Mohammad Aatif Ammad Kanth, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: Junaid Ahmed, an M.Tech student from Kashmir studying at Jamia Millia Islamia, is observing Ramadan for the first time away from home in the national capital. Living in a rented flat with friends, he had no qualms about spending the holy month outside Kashmir.
However, what concerned him most was that his exams were scheduled during Ramadan, ending on March 28. Junaid, who spends most of his day studying in the university library, found it challenging to prepare both iftar and sehri. “I can manage sehri, but preparing iftar is tough. After a long day of fasting and studying, I just want to rest after maghrib prayers,” he said.
Junaid is not alone in this struggle. Thousands of students reside in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar. Over the years, the locality has evolved into a major hub for student accommodation and a bustling residential area for Muslims employed in the NCR’s private sector. With a permanent population exceeding 1.25 lakh Muslims, the area has become a preferred destination for students — whether they are enjoying meals outside or engaging in intellectual discussions over tea.
However, during Ramadan, preparing iftar becomes a daunting task for many. Students, burdened with academic schedules and daily commitments, find it difficult to cook after a long day of classes. Thankfully, there is a silver lining for students like Junaid, who struggle to manage iftar preparations due to their packed schedules.
This challenge is effectively addressed by local mosques, which step in to prepare iftar meals for thousands of students who are unable to do it themselves. Nearly every mosque in the area organises iftar, turning Jamia Nagar into a hub for iftar gatherings where students living away from home can come together to break their fast.
The largest iftar gathering in the area takes place at Masjid Abu Bakr, located in Zakir Nagar. Here, hundreds — mostly students — gather to break their fast with an assortment of fruits, dates, pakoras and biryani. This initiative is funded through donations from local residents, which are collected by the mosque and managed by a designated team under the leadership of a head manager.
Fazul Rehman Nadvi, who oversees the iftar management at the mosque, said, “It is Allah who has chosen us for this deed. He is the one who makes it possible for people to break their fast here. We are merely intermediaries, selected by Him to prepare iftar for them every day.” He further said locals contribute funds for the gathering before Ramadan, enabling the mosque committee to plan meals for the entire month.
According to Nadvi, a dedicated team of 10-12 people is responsible for the arrangements. “We serve fruits like watermelon, bananas and melons, along with pakoras, chickpeas and biryani,” he said. Nearly 600 people break their fast at the mosque every day, a tradition that has continued for 12 years.
Nadvi expressed his joy in witnessing people come together for iftar, noting that the majority — over 80% — are students. He also pointed out that over the last decade, this tradition has been embraced by nearly every mosque in the area, ensuring that iftar is provided daily.
A home away from home
Aabid Sidiqque, a final-year law student who breaks his fast at Masjid Abu Bakr every day, explained how the experience has made him and his friends feel at home during Ramadan.
“I have been coming here with my friends for iftar every day for the past four Ramadans. We love this place — it brings together people from different parts of the country, making it a vibrant and welcoming space. The food is incredible, and they serve so much that we hardly need dinner afterward,” he said.
After a long day at college, Aabid and his friends head straight to the mosque for iftar. “This mosque has become an essential part of our Ramadan. We cannot imagine breaking our fast anywhere else,” he added.
Just a few hundred meters from Masjid Abu Bakr, Masjid Nabi in Jamia Nagar’s Johri Farm has become a gathering place for young working professionals. Like other mosques in the area, it hosts iftar daily, serving meals to over 300 people.
However, unlike Masjid Abu Bakr, where students form the majority, here, most attendees are unmarried professionals who live in rented accommodations. Since the mosque is located slightly away from the Jamia Millia Islamia, working individuals outnumber students at the iftar gatherings.
Haris Khan, the iftar manager, said between 300 to 400 people break their fast at the mosque every day. Funded entirely by donations from the local community, the iftar spread includes fruits, juices, biryani, pakoras and kheer. “We feel truly fortunate that those who fast see us as individuals whom they allow to serve them,” Haris said.
“Helping someone break their fast is as rewarding as fasting itself. Though the funds come from donations, we are lucky to be given the opportunity to serve,” he said.
He expressed hope that Allah would be pleased with the collective efforts of the community in facilitating iftar for those who need it most, especially the young professionals.
“I see it as our responsibility to prepare iftar for them. They spend their entire day at work, making it extremely difficult to prepare meals for themselves. Some of them come straight from their offices without even getting a chance to go home, change or freshen up,” he said.
Seeing them in such a state, he feels a sense of duty to serve. “We are not doing them a favor; this is purely for Allah. People from almost every part of the country gather here at iftar. It is heartwarming to witness such a diverse and vibrant atmosphere,” he added.
Hammad Ansari, an IT professional from Bihar working in Noida, said without the iftar provided by Masjid Nabi, he would often have to break his fast with just water due to a lack of time for preparation. “I come straight from the office and break my fast here,” he said.