Iftar for people from all walks of life

Rubel Hossain, a student of World University, had to have iftar alone at his East Razabazar mess in Dhaka on the first two days of Ramadan as none of his roommates were home. So he decided to go to Tejturi Bazar Jaam-e mosque on the third day where several hundred people come to break fast together.

“I've always had iftar at home in Bogra, but since moving to Dhaka I feel lonely when it's time to break my fast,” said Rubel.

Same feelings were shared by students of IAB -- Mohammad Shafiqul Islam and Masum Billah -- who live in a mess at nearby Farmgate.

“I moved to Dhaka from Khagrachhari only four months back. It's difficult to have iftar alone, as I'm used to breaking fast with my family during Ramadan,” said Shafiqul.

Mosque is a place where Muslims come to say their prayers, and almost all the mosques in Dhaka arrange free iftar for people from all walks of life.

Carrying out the trend, Tejturi Bazar Jaam-e mosque authorities also arrange ifter for around 550 people every day during Ramadan; a good number of college and university students take part in this mass iftar.

Apart from students, low-income people, some traders of Karwan Bazar and adjoining markets, security guards of different offices and commuters join the iftar at the mosque.

The committee of the mosque arranges iftar that includes dates and other fruits, piaju, potato chop, jilapi, beguni, and sherbet. People, who come to the mosque and break their fast, sit in queues on the first floor; volunteers hand out the iftar. The iftar items are prepared by the mosque's cook.

“I came to Farmgate for some work and it took some time, so I decided to stay at the mosque to say my prayers and break my fast as well,” said Usman, a resident of Rampura, on Wednesday.

Humayun, a security guard of Brac Bank's Farmgate ATM booth, said that as he is working, he comes to the mosque for iftar because it is nearby.

Rejaul, Alamin and Mohammad Selim Islam -- three day labourers doing construction work at a nearby building -- said they come to the mosque for iftar for the same reason.

“I come to the mosque before iftar every day to distribute food to over 550 people as a volunteer,” said Tauhid Bin Ahmed, a resident of Tejturi Bazar.

The iftar is free, door is open to all, and people from all walks of life come here to break their fast every day, said a member of the committee.