News
Monday, August 15, 2011
Karachi continues to show colours of Ramazan* Special Bachat Bazaars set up across the city to provide commodities at lower rates
By Asad Farooq
KARACHI: Ramazan, the holy month for Muslims, commenced with its special religious spirit. In the traditional cities like the metropolis, it brings some traditional signs and religious zeal.
With the announcement of Ramazan’s beginning, all areas are seen changed. Traditional dishes, which relates to Ramazan include ‘Pheni’ and ‘Khajla’ appeared at bakeries. Citizens so as to prepare ‘Sehri’ also purchase milk and other dairy products in bulk.
For a decade, the Short Message Services (SMS) by mobile phone companies has introduced a latest trend among citizens to congratulate each other on the blessing of this holy month.
Special Bachat Bazaars were set up across the city to provide commodities at cheaper rates, however, rising inflation had affected the efficiency of such bazaars.
Drummers or ‘Dholwalas’ is another interesting character of the society, who awake people before ‘Sehri’. Though alarms, cell phones and other facilities have left no requirements for them but they managed to keep themselves alive as a part of the society’s tradition.
Talking to Daily Times, a ‘Dholwala’ in Baldia Town area, said that he belonged to drummers’ community, who used to earn their livelihood through their performance at marriage ceremonies and other programmes. He further said that during Ramazan his entire family awake people in Sehri because people do not hold marriage functions in Ramazan. He said that they take money which people pay them on the day of Eid. He further said that their salary or fees is not defined, as they take with smile what people pay them.
Taraveeh prayers are another important segment of Ramazan. Every night people move towards mosques for Taraveeh prayers. Several organisations and individuals organise Taraveeh prayers at several open spots in the city.
Though the society is considered as the badly effected by inflation and unemployment, tremendous demonstrations of charity and philanthropy surface across the city, particularly during Iftar timings.
Iftari is served at all main roads, bus stops, a large number of petrol pumps and mosques. Even fruit venders provide free dates to passersby so that they could break their fast. No doubt, none remains deprived of food at Iftari timing whether he/she is on roads, in bus and market.
Besides, a large number of individuals, several trusts including Saylani Welfare Trust, Alamgir Welfare Trust, Edhi Welfare Trust and other social organisations set up free food stalls for needy as well as for common people during Sehar and Iftar timings.
Several individuals are seen distributing food items at shrines, mosques, bus stops and other places during this month. The stalls and mobile services of charitable organisations could also be seen in various areas of the city, including Numaish, Punjab Colony, Bahadurabad Chowrangi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Golimar Chowragi, Ghani Chowrangi at SITE area, Shaheed Millat road and other areas.
Talking to Daily Times, Ramazan Chhipa of Chhipa Welfare Association said: “People donate charity as per their financial capacity and in Ramazan, the ratio of such charities rise several times.”
Unfortunately, ongoing deteriorating law and order situations in the city and rising inflation have dimmed the colours of Ramazan, but the citizens are observing the month of Ramazan with religious zeal and harmony.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk