All set for Id celebrations

The month of Ramadan is a busy time for Muslims. Swati Sharma talks to prominent Muslims from the city about Id celebrations and finds out that having fun with family and enjoying home-made delicacies is what matters the most, during the festival.

Family time: Abbas

Abbas, son of cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin, loves how his family from across the world comes together for the festival. “We lead such busy lives and that’s why I look forward to Id. Uncles from abroad and cousins from all over the country come down to Hyderabad to celebrate the day. I would be going to my mother’s house this year and I think this time even my father will be able to make time to come down for the festival,” he says. “I am also looking forward to giving idi to the kids in the house. As a child, I used to wait for the idi and now, it’s my turn to do the same.”

You have the right to rejoice: A.K. Khan

A.K. Khan, who retired as director-general of the Anti Corruption Branch, and is currently an adviser on minority welfare, says, “Id is a special occasion for my family. Particularly after a month of abstaining, which brings out your finest behaviour and conduct. So you have the right to rejoice.” He adds that it is an occasion where all friends and relatives visit each other all day long. “This Ramadan is very special as my grandson will be arriving soon and my second son has cleared the civil services examination. When it comes to food, the emphasis is on sheer khorma and of course, one can’t escape biryani. I eat about 25 to 30 small servings of sheer khorma throughout the day.  The celebration is not confined to just one day and spills over to the next day too,” shares A.K. Khan.

It’s an open house throughout Ramadan: S.A. Huda

It’s an open house during Ramadan — anyone can walk in and have a meal. They don’t need an invitation. But the concept is changing, people wait for invitations these days. For Id, we will have sheer khorma, kebabs, biryani and for vegetarians we will have chhole, apart from other delicacies,” says S.A. Huda, a police officer.

A healthy baby: Nizar Shafi

Well-known cinematographer, Nizar Shafi has been working on Id since the last few years. And this year too, he will be on film sets. However, this year is very special because his wife, Nebu, is pregnant with their first child. “All I want this year is that my soon-to-be-born child is healthy. I can’t ask for anything more,” he says, adding that his baby is due in September.

Id is a family affair: Shahbaz Hussain

Entrepreneur Shahbaz Hussain says that until lunch time, Id is completely a family affair. “The day starts with prayer at the mosque, respects to dad at the graveyard and spending time with family at home. Then in the evening we organise the annual Id milaap, which is essentially a big get-together for relatives, friends and well-wishers. We have a barbeque dinner comprising of various kebabs, biryani and of course sheer khorma,” says Shabaz.

Mom’s delicacies: Hebah Patel

Hebah rarely goes home for Id. While she isn’t sure of what she will be doing this year, she says that the best thing to look forward to as a kid was always the idi. “You know the gifts they gave us, were one of the most exciting things.” However, there’s one thing which has always been more important than that. “Id brings out the hidden chef in my mother. I love the sheer khorma, green mutton curry and the mutton biryani mom makes,” she says.