With the festival of Id-ul-Fitr round the corner, “Id-Milan” functions will be organised across the Capital on different days throughout this week at which people from different religions will embrace and greet their Muslim brethren and partake delicacies in a congenial atmosphere.
Just like Holi is celebrated by all Delhiites irrespective of their religious affiliations, Id has become a joyous festival which is celebrated in inter-faith harmony.
A grand function
According to community worker Firoz Bakht Ahmed, a grand function will be organised at Hotel Ashoka this Monday.
“This function is a special one on Delhi’s calendar because it is being organised for the past five decades. It was initiated by famous Unani system expert Hakeem Abdul Hameed at his Malcha Marg residence. Though the Hakeem is no more, his sons Abdul Mueed and Abdull Hammad continue with this tradition.”
Mr. Bakht said on this pious day, Muslims invite people belonging to different faiths at their homes to partake feast which is important because it signifies conclusion of their month-long fast.
“The biggest festival of Muslims is a celebration as reward from Allah after having observed the pieties of the fasting month of Ramzan. Id-ul-Fitr or the Sewaiyon wali Eid has its own significance in Delhi.”
The festival, he said, is an occasion when every Muslim — man and woman, old and young — is required compulsorily to give certain amount of alms for the benefit of economically marginalised fellow members so that they too can enjoy the feast and do not feel left out.
On the morning of Id, the congregational method of praying of thousands of people together brings alive the harmonious beauty of life as the young and the old, the affluent and the poor greet and embrace each other with Id Mubarak , Mr. Bakht added.
Gastronomic delight
On the eve of Id after the moon is sighted, the labyrinthine streets around the Jama Masjid, Suiwalan, Ballimaran, Chitli Qabar, Matia Mahal come alive with gastronomic Mughlai cuisine.
Other functions which will be organised include “Id-Milan” at India Islamic Cultural Centre here on August 26.
According to IICC president Sirajuddin Qureshi, people from all faith will celebrate the festival. “We also celebrate Diwali, Holi, Christmas and Gurpurab with equal enthusiasm.”
