By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Imphal: In order to reach out to the poor in different Indian states and to feed them during the holy month of Ramadan, US-based Indian Muslim Relief & Charities (IMRC) organised a series of Iftaar cum dinner in various villages of four districts of Manipur under its “Village Iftaar Program”.
More than 6,500 persons have been served with hot meals in Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West districts of Manipur.
“Every year, thousands of poor and needy persons are covered under IMRC Iftar program in Manipur. This year too, IMRC served hot meals to 6,500 persons and villagers were very overwhelmed by their efforts to reach the remotest Indian states,” said Raees Ahmed, IMRC volunteer from Manipur.
Similarly, more than 1,200 persons including women and children were served Iftaar and dinner, on Sunday, June 26, most of whom were labourers, needy and daily wagers by IMRC in Hasanpora, Tawela village of Bijbehara in Kashmir.
In Kashmiri tradition, a gathering of four people eat together in one big plate called “trami”, sitting on the ground over a dining spread (dastarkhan). The same tradition was followed and 325 ‘tramis’ were arranged for serving the meals for this grand Iftaar.
“These Iftaars are organised with an aim of increasing brotherhood in the community. It was a huge gathering, where 1200 persons broke their fast together and prayed for the donors. It was like a festival for them and they appreciated IMRC for organizing such an event in a village,” said IMRC Srinagar volunteer, Syed Tabassum Geelani.
Last week, IMRC had organised a similar program for 1,200 persons at village Zalpora in Sumbal Sonawari area of Kashmir.
Also, 600 Rohingya refugees mostly children who work as street hawkers, were served with Iftar and dinner at Channi Rama in Jammu district on Sunday, June 26.
“It is like a festival for us. I along with my friends enjoyed this Iftaar. We ate delicious Biryani and it feels really good that there are people who care about us,” said Mukhtar, 13, a street hawker.
Presently, the IMRC “Village Iftar Program” are underway in 22 Indian states viz. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Manipur, Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Nagaland.