By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: Comes Ramazan and the surroundings of New Delhi’s Shahjahani mosque, popularly known as Jama Masjid, wears a deepened religious look – clearly visible in people’s attire and crowding in mosques. An hour before the sunset – the time to break fast – the Muslim dominant area presents a picture – very different from normal days. This is almost true with all Muslim localities everywhere.
Today was the first evening of this Ramazan. To catch the moment, an hour before the sunset, I was in the Walled City area. Despite being Sunday roads were crowded with people rushing to buy edibles for Iftar – the Arabic term commonly used by Urdu speakers for breaking fast. Several makeshift shops have appeared in front of the regular shops to sell most wanted items in Ramazan – dates and sewai. Shops selling Muslim caps, kurta and pyjama are also in good number.
Everyone seems to be in a hurry to reach home in time with packets of fruits and dates.
Half an hour before the time to break fast people have started marching towards the Jama Masjid. Among them are strangers, tourists but local residents are in majority. Yes, that is an interesting aspect of Ramazan in this area. Many locals prefer to break fast in Jama Masjid rather than at their homes. A number of families are sitting in the courtyard of the mosque waiting with fruits, dates and other itmes for the Azan. Azan and they break fast either with water or dates. And then offer Maghrib prayer.
Now dark has settled down on the Walled City. But Jama Masjid with elaborate decoration and lighting stands out and is visible from far.