Breaking the ‘Roza’ (fast) in Mecca Masjid is worth the effort one puts in to reach the place in the month of Ramzan. Unmindful of the chaos and the traffic jams, scores descend on the historic mosque.
Syed Gaffar, who works with a interior designing firm, occasionally travels all the way from Ameerpet to the masjid along with his friend. “The ambience here is worth putting in the effort,” he says and adds, “we make it a point to come here at least twice a week in Ramzan to break the fast and offer prayers.”
A few are regular to the place and have been coming here for many years. “Though there are many mosques in the city, I make it a point to visit Mecca Masjid,” says Syed Irfan of Borabanda.
Around 6,000 people break their fast in the courtyard of Mecca Masjid on normal days and their number swells to around 10,000 on weekends. “Mostly, people who come for shopping break their fast here,” says Khaja Nayeemuddin, superintendant, Mecca Masjid.
As the ‘iftar’ time draws near, the sprawling courtyard of the mosque gets filled. Families sit in groups with dates, fruits and dahi-vadas waiting for the siren to go. A hush falls as everyone gets engrossed in prayers.
“It feels nice to be in a calm place in middle of a bustling Charminar and being part of huge gathering is something different. We get to meet new people as well as strengthen our relations,” says Yousuf Mohiuddin, a resident of Khilwat. Special arrangements are made for the women for breaking the fast and to offer namaz.
