Breaking the Fast during Ramadan

-- by Roshan Zahin

When it is time to quench the thirst and appease the hunger after a long day’s fast at dusk, and the Azaan radiates a sparkling and magnificent voice, that is when the Ramadan ambience comes alive. The Big (Wallajah) Mosque stands tall with all its glory and grandeur in Triplicane and is certainly the nerve centre during this pious and sacred month.

The Sindhi followers of the Sufi saint Dada Ratanchand under the Sufi Dar Trust serve food at the Wallajah Mosque for the entire month of Ramadan. Dada Ratanchand moved to Madras during Partition and stayed on here. The trust aims to spread the teachings of the Sufi saint Shahenshah Baba Nebhraj Sahib of Rohri, Sind which state that all gods are one. Dada Ratanchand was his disciple. It is a beautiful and noteworthy gesture of elevating the beauty of diversity in the context of Indian society at large which is primarily known for acceptance, tolerance and inclusivity of different cultures and traditions.

The Wallajah mosque, also known as the Big Mosque, was built in 1795 by Muhammed Ali Wallajah, the then Nawab of Arcot. It has a large prayer hall, a tank and an immense open space fronting it. The entire structure is constructed with granite without the use of iron or wood. One of the most striking features of the mosque is a chronogram composed in Persian by Rajah Makkan Lal, Kirad, who was in the Nawab’s employ.

Zaheer, who works in Afreen Tea Stall just outside the mosque says that the atmosphere and aura is utterly pleasing and calming because of how simple and sophisticated it is without any dispute or controversy attached to it. He says, “Not only Muslims but also non- Muslims pay a visit to the mosque and our shop. During the time of breaking fast, the Sindhis provide Vadas, at times Biryani, Sweets, etc. to the rozedaar”. He asserts that indulging in drinking alcohol near the premises of the mosque is prohibited.

As far as his shop is concerned, it has an ample variety of snacks and savouries available such as mutton roll, chicken cutlet, chicken sticks, halwa puri, rot, haleem and many other delectable items. “The demand is mostly high for our items and the prices are supremely affordable. One halwa puri costs 15 rupees, one box of haleem is 180 rupees, one khuwaja is 30 rupees etc.,” adds Zaheer.

“It is great humanity that the Sindhi community is displaying by offering iftari to the people. It just reiterates the ideology of acceptance and inclusion” further adds Zaheer by stressing on the aspect of embracing harmony and brotherhood.

Chand Begum, 74, who lives in Arumbakkam religiously visits the Mosque and says, “ Chennai is one city where the differences among different religions is not seen in a negative light. Everyone rather celebrates the differences and does things for different communities with good faith. Unfortunately, communal attacks and riots prevail in many parts of the nation, but I feel blessed that I am in such a city where the level of acceptance and tolerance for different religions is superlative compared to the rest of the country. And undoubtedly, the Sindhi community offering iftar to Muslims is an exemplary instance of that”.

Fazal, who works in a Piano Servicing Centre situated on Wallajah road is also a regular visitor to the Masjid. He says, “The Sindhi community makes this contribution from the profit they earn from the textile Industry.’’

“We do this work with sheer love and purely on humanitarian grounds,” says Ramdas Devnani, one of the volunteers of Sindhi Community. “There’s no specific objective and agenda as such. It’s been 25 years since I joined this work. Our Trust comprises different people from different fraternity/ fields. Every day we aim to feed 12,000 people. We provide veg biryani, dates, milk, sweets, etc. Our Guruji taught us that service to mankind is service to God. We don’t discriminate against people based on religion, caste, creed and race, and it gives us immense pleasure to serve them. We feel blessed that we are able to do something for others. We simply follow sufism where everybody is loved regardless of any other factor.”

The ethnic grace, the inclusivity of cultures, the humanitarian acts, the greatness of the volunteers, the warmth, etc., they all start from within and indeed the Sindhi community is projecting it in the truest sense.