New Town fair ground
The first open-air Id-ul-Fitr namaz in New Town drew thousand-plus devotees to offer prayers at the fairground near Biswa Bangla Gate.
Public namaz had started in the township last year at Action Area 1 community hall. “But space was limited and the hall overflowed with people. Today’s venue comfortably accommodated the 1,200 who came,” said Syed Humayun Siraj, the minority affairs sub-committee convenor of New Town Citizens’ Fraternity, that organised the meet.
Md. Talah, who came from Hiland Willows, would thus far offer namaz at the mosque adjacent to his complex. “But the crowd there is rural. We come not just to pray but also to mingle, and I met many like-minded people today,” said the IT sector businessman. “Next time I shall bring my wife and son too.”
Ladies special
Women had to themselves an enclosed section within the carpet-laden field. Many toddlers had come too, with some trying to mimic their parents. “My 13-month-old clings on to me like a monkey as I offer namaz,” said Sabahat Jahan. The child, Huzaifa Fraz, wore an immaculate kurta and skullcap. “He doesn’t know he’s wearing a cap or he’d have pulled it off,” added the mother, trying not to draw attention to it.
The gathering brought together friends and family, which is the essence of the festival. Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of Tahmina Begum as walked up to Shabnam Banu. “Shabnam is my relative and though she lives in Akankha complex, I’m seeing her after ages,” said the DA Block resident, drawing her into an embrace.
Those like Hafiza Khatun Sarkar offered namaz from chairs. “I have pain in my lower back and knee and cannot bend so I requested a chair,” said the lady who lives near the Clock Tower.
Yasmin Rehman, who looked after the women’s section, said more than 200 ladies had turned up. “It’s written nowhere in our holy texts that women aren’t allowed to attend namaz. The participants themselves are so happy with the option,” she said.
Soon Imam Ikramul Hassan conducted the prayers on the mic and offered translation in Bengali. “Today is a day of joy, a day to mend broken relationships and to perform charity. Charity will absolve any shortcomings we had in the holy month and also allow the less fortunate to enjoy Id,” he said.
Style statement
After the namaz, the crowd embraced one another, wishing “Id mubarak”. Happy chatter filled the air as they lined up for sewai, dates and drinks.
Youngsters, particularly, had come in new and colourful clothes. Atif Perwaiz, a Class XII student, had worn an uncommon turban. “We used to live in Oman where they would tie the turban like this. My mother learnt the technique and tied it for me today,” said the resident of Elita Garden Vista.
Naureen Rehman shone in her new pista-coloured sharara. “I have another new outfit waiting to be worn this week, on Poila Baisakh,” smiled the young lady from AC Block.
Well-deserved feast
After a month of fasting, devotees were eager for a day of feasting. “Contrary to popular belief, those who fast do not go to Zakaria Street to eat kebabs this Ramzan month. We stick to fruits and healthy food,” explained Shirin Anwar, a law student of NUJS.
“But this morning my family relished luchi-alur dom and will have pulao-chicken for lunch. Another treat awaits us on Poila Baisakh, when we shall have mutton. “So long we would head to our hometown in Birbhum for Id but this year — our first in New Town — we have come for this gathering,” said the Action Area 2 resident.
“Sewai is a must on Id and my mother also makes great biriyani,” said Allista Khan, a Class XI student, who was expecting friends over for lunch. “Some are non-Muslims who invited themselves over for the biryani. They know Id is a time for friends,” said the teen from Uniworld City.
But no amount of pulao or biryani could entice five-year-old Hamaira Akhtar. The little one in a hijab dreamt of celebrating Id with French fries!
All for one
Ajmal Perwaiz, who had come from Elita Garden Vista with wife, parents, and teenage children, were all praises for the arrangements. “Particularly how it was inclusive for women,” he said. “This was the first public namaz in the city for the ladies of my family. It is also very nice to see so many volunteers from other communities.”
Samir Gupta, secretary of the fraternity, conceded that since Muslims were offering namaz, the legwork was being done by volunteers of the majority community. “Our Muslim neighbours have always helped organise Durga pujas in New Town, but when it came to their own festival, they had to head to Red Road. This is why we needed to organise public namaz,” he said.
Salt Lake Nazrul Park
The Id namaz at Nazrul Park
Picture by Arijit JanaThe spirit was festive on Id-ul-Fitr as more than 500 devotees gathered to offer namaz at Nazrul Park near City Centre. The meet was organised by Salt Lake and New Town Harmony Association and leading the prayers was Maulana Khurshid Alam of Karulibazaar mosque in Baruipur.
After sharing instructions on how to perform the namaz, the maulana prayed to rid them of anger, jealousy, and negative emotions. “When we ask for forgiveness we should also be able to forgive others ourselves. We shouldn’t raise our voice towards our elders and parents, and treat them with respect,” Alam said.
Saminah Khan stays near Tangra but never fails to come to Salt Lake for Id namaz. “My father was one of the founding members of this group so I’ve been coming here since the very beginning. It feels like my extended family, where we meet and greet each other. My celebration feels incomplete without coming here,” said Khan.
Six-year-old Sufia Ghani had come in a white salwar kameez. “This is a new outfit for Id and I shall have lots of fun today with my family and cousins. There are going to be many delicious items cooked but I’m waiting for the Murgh Musallam,” smiled the Class II student of Hariyana Vidya Mandir.
Her grandmother Nahid Ghani shared the elaborate meal planned for the day - four types of sewai, tikka kebab, biryani, chicken pulao, and, of course, her granddaughter’s favourite Murgh Musallam. “Today is about family gatherings. We do not go out but instead await our friends and relatives to come over. We enjoy and have a great time,” she added.
Mir Golam Nabi, the secretary of the Harmony Association, said that the headcount was about the same as it was last year. “The attendance is almost the same. We are happy with the support we are receiving. This year we had also organised an iftar meet on the premises of the Minority Development and Finance Corporation office in DD Block with more than 300 people in attendance. But we want more youngsters to show active involvement as it is they who will be carrying the practice forward.”
Shatadipa Bhattacharya
