By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: They would cherish such evening come every day in their life, but they can have it just as rarity. Saturday evening was pleasant for hundreds of rickshaw-pullers residing in Jamia Nagar area of the National Capital. Human Welfare Foundation, a national NGO based in the city, had thrown an Iftar and dinner party for the poor children of God. That was not all, they were also given kurta-pyjamas for coming Eid.
About an hour before the Iftar time (07:07 pm on Saturday), rickshaw-pullars had started coming in the sprawling ground of Milli Model School, most of them driving their rickshaws. The organizers had distributed 750 invitation cards among the rickshaw-pullers in the area. The volunteers of HWF were on the gate to receive the guests, they were guided to the parking area where they parked their rickshaws and took seats on the carpeted floor.
Rickshaw-pullers at an Iftar party hosted by Human Welfare Foundation on 11th Aug. 2012 in Jamia Nagar, New Delhi
“About 600 rickshaw-pullers turned up to the party. We had distributed 750 invitation cards. We hold this program every year for last some years. We do it give them a feeling of togetherness and being part of the general Muslim society,” said Syed Mohd. Talha, Delhi state coordinator of HWF.
After Iftar, Maghrib prayer was offered at the site. Then an orator from among the volunteers gave a sermon for about 15 minutes in which he stressed on obeying the basic teachings of Islam. Soon after the speech, the guests were served hot biryani – the favorite meal in Delhi. At the end each of the 600 guests was given a packet consisting one kurta and one pyjama.
“We had purchased sets of kurta-pyjamas in three sizes – 38, 40, 42 – and we asked the guests to choose one set of their choice of size,” said Talha and thanked volunteers of HWF – who were about 50 to manage the entire program.
An important feature of the Iftar party was that leaders and volunteers of HWF sat shoulder to shoulder with the guests, giving them a feeling of togetherness and warmth. Among the leaders of the NGO were Rafeeque Ahmed, Trustee and Treasurer, Saleemullah Khan, National Coordinator and Syed Mohd. Talha, Delhi state coordinator.