Faithful fast and pray

NEW DELHI: The time was 6.56pm on Sunday. The narrow streets leading off Jama Masjid teemed with people. It was time to break the fast on the first day of Ramzan, the holiest month in the Islamic calender. The aroma of food was everywhere. Kebabs and pakoras sizzled on slow fires. Vendors sold vermicelli and dates by the kilo.
For the Khans of Mumbai, this was no ordinary Ramzan.They had brought their seven-month-old son Samar Ali to Delhi to break the first day's fast after prayers at Jama Masjid on Sunday evening with the extended family.
"My children have come from Mumbai and Jaipur to be with us for this holy month. We've brought our food with us to share with others and will break the fast with dates, fried pakora and fruit chat,'' said Shehnaaz, little Samar's grandmother.
During Ramzan, the faithful abstain from eating or drinking from dawn to dusk. Other than its religious significance, many youngsters look upon the period of fasting as a test of their endurance and willpower. Despite hectic work schedules, they all keep the roza.
Said Aqsa Anjum, a student of journalism at Jamia Milia, "I have been keeping rozas since I was 12 and I don't find it difficult at all. It's a matter of self control. We eat during sehri that starts around 3.30am and then only break our fast after sunset according the time declared by the Imam.''
Some find the first few days tough, but then get used to the changed eating pattern. Said 23-year-old Sheeba Naaz, "The first few days of fasting can be tough but then the body gets use to it. I had got viral fever during Ramzan last year so I did not fast for 10 days. It is not necessary to fast if you're not well, pregnant or old.''
For those who smoke and drink it is the time to detoxify their bodies. Said Asim Iqbal, a tax consultant from Saudi Arabia who is here on holiday, "Giving up smoking for a month is difficult, but that way I get to test my will power. In Saudi Arabia, the work hours are less during this period, and hardly any restaurants serve food during the day and only open at night after sunset. It's quite a different environment here.''
Even in Old Delhi, a few restaurants do serve food during the day, but put up a curtain at the entrance as as a mark of respect for those observing the roza.