Ten-year-old Hussain kept on tugging at his father’s hand. “I have offered my prayers. Now, I want my feast,” he demanded. While
elders kept themselves busy with the traditional Fitra and and Zakat donating cash and kind among the poor and needy on the occasion of Eid on Monday, children were more interested in the traditional food prepared for this special day sheerkurma and sewaiyan at Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid.
As the prayer began at 8am, thousands thronged the mosque to listen to the Imam’s sermons before offering the namaaz. From the entrance of the majestic mosque, all one could see was a wave of white skull caps steadily ascending the stairs of the Masjid.
On this festive occasion, many came with their families. “My wife was insisting on a Metro ride and I couldn’t have said no to her,” said Sayyed Ahmed, an Arabic teacher from Seemapuri area.
As the day progressed, a sprinkling of foreign tourists, albeit conservatively dressed, made their way too some draping their heads carefully to shy away from other curious eyes. “Islam is often misunderstood in the West. But, in this city, I find it existing harmoniously with other religions. Just look here how the Ramlila compliments the occasion of Eid,” said Patrick Neil, a resident of South Africa.
After the Namaaz, the focus shifted to the delicious feast on offer. A few steps ahead in the Matia Mahal area, you come across a more vociferous crowd waiting to taste and smell kebabs and gobhi pakoras. Of course, the pherni and the muzaffar, the sweet sheerkhurm, jalebi and gulab jamun all vie for their space.
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