By Shafeeq Hudavi
Kozhikode: Most of the underprivileged patients and bystanders, who come to the Kozhikode Medical College seeking treatment, find Iftaar unaffordable owing to the high prices levied by the restaurants. But a charity organisations comes to their aid with daily Iftaars.
If the figures with various charity organisations are taken into account, more than 3,000 persons are given Iftaar per day. Every evening, C H Muhammed Koya Memorial Charitable Centre, functioning near Medical College, is providing Iftaar to around 1,500 persons while Iftaar food is delivered to around 1,600 persons by Sahayi Wadi Salam, undertaken by the Markazu Saqafathyi Sunniyya.
Besides, Kanivu (literally, mercy) Charitable Trust extends food to 300 persons. This is in addition to the food provided for hundreds in three mosques, run by these three trusts. More than 1,000 bystanders, students and staffs of the medical college also get their Iftaar meal at these mosques. Starting from 12 in the midnight, pre-dawn food (Sahri) is also distributed to more than 1,500 persons by C H Centre and Sahayi.
“The Iftaar programme is initiated to provide the patients and bystanders better meals. We are trying our best to extend the service with quality in a bid to ensure that everyone comes here goes back with satisfaction,” says Qader Haji of C H Centre.
According to K A Naser Cheruvady, general secretary of Sahayi, Islam offers much rewards for giving food to the needy. “We are obliged to ensure during the holy month that no one is left without food,” Nasar added.
The organisations have set up special halls and pavilions to distribute food. Sahayi has set up an exclusive hall to help the girl students and women staff of the medical college to break their fast.
While it comes to the eateries, the Iftaar seems to be various delicacies including, Biryani, ghee rice, chapati, Pathiri, Vellappam and Idiyappam with delicious curries of chicken, beef and mutton. Vegetable dishes are also available. The Iftaar kits also include dates, various snacks and fruits.
As many as 160 volunteers work for C H Centre to ensure the smooth functioning of the Iftaar programme while Sahayi and Kanivu has around 200 and 60 volunteers. They include activists of political parties, social workers, professionals and students.
By approaching the patients and bystanders with Iftaar coupons, the volunteers start their work from morning. For poor patients and bystanders, this is a precious service. “It’s quite pleasing that our service averts their struggle to find food during the holy month,” says Abdul Latheef, one of the volunteers working with Kanivu.