Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Apr 14: Masjid-e-Bilal situated on the bank of river Jhelum in Srinagar has established itself as a shining example of generosity by providing Iftar to over 500 people every day throughout the holy month of Ramadan.
The Masjid has become a symbol of hope and solidarity for the local community in a time of severe social and political conflicts as a result of the tradition that draws thousands from all over the valley to break their fast and pray for mercy.
The Masjid draws visitors voluntarily because of its prime location in the middle of the city and its reputation for orderliness. The management of the Masjid-e-Bilal has been holding Iftar for the past 25 years and has grown in reputation for its warmth and magnificent ambiance around the city.
Volunteers begin the process in the morning by bringing fruits from the market and sorting the fruit platters, dates, and basil seeds before distributing them to each row to ensure that Iftar runs smoothly within the given time. Then, in the area in front of the mosque, where people gather to break their fast on tablecloths laid in rows by volunteers.
“Every Ramadan, Iftar is held here, and the preparations begin early in the morning with the chopping and packing of vegetables and other items. A respectable number of people come for Iftari,” Aijaz Ahmad, a volunteer, said.
He added that six additional volunteers join after Asr prayers in addition to the four who begin work in the morning to make sure that Iftar went smoothly.
Since the Masjid is surrounded by a sizable number of enterprises, including shops, offices, public and private organizations, and other places where people frequently travel, many people break their fast here during Ramadan.
“It is encouraging to see people gathering here for Iftar and pleading in their prayers for mercy for all of humanity. Implementing such a function in marketplaces during Ramadan is essential since providing iftar for people is a noble deed,” another volunteer said.
President of Masjid, Fayaz Ahmad Punjabi said that the traditional Ramadan ritual of serving Iftar to Muslims is highly esteemed and honored in Islam and they have been hosting Iftars for many years. “This has been happening here previously as well. However, since 2014, it has grown and continues to grow every day. If we look at Muslim countries, they all eat together, thus this culture has long since disappeared in the Valley. But people are slowly reviving this culture,” he added.
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