Thiruvananthapuram: All set for Eid celebrations

Thiruvananthapuram: Eid-ul-fitr is round the corner and everyone is watching the sky to spot the moon which will mark the end of the holy  month of Ramzan, the 30 days of fasting from dawn to dusk. During the month, the believers spent time reading Quran, giving Sakkath (food and money to the poor), offering namaz, hearing hadees (meaning of Quran) and trying to be good in their words and deeds.

The mosques in the city are set to welcome the festival. The jamaath committee members are sending food items to the needy and arranging the Iftar specials.

"As years pass by, the number of devotees has been increasing. The main attraction of nombuthura aka Iftar is nomb kanji, along with fruits, juice and some days special foods. We welcome everyone, because the very idea is to understand the value of starvation and brotherhood," said M. Salim, general secretary of Palayam mosque.

In the past four years, the mosque has been following the green protocol 'Haritha Ramzan.'

 "We have 'Sakkath committee' where the poor people are given food and cash irrespective of religion. It's the festival of breaking the fast. This is a time of forgiveness and gratitude to Allah to help them complete the spiritual fasting," he added.

"Eid sets the mood and the fragrance of attar fills the air. The devotees will set off for morning prayers in their new attires, hands with colourful henna designs and eyes drawn with suruma. Mappila songs add to the festivities," said Soori Beegum, a resident of Vizhinjam.

Major hotels and shopping malls promote Iftar and offer namaz facilities. Free food is offered to shoppers who want to break the fast in the midst of their shopping and don't have to rush back home.

"We open our shop only by 7 p.m.. Apart from nadan dishes, mutton biriyani, oratti, idiyappam and appam are in high demand. We provide free Iftar kits to college  students, especially girls' hostels, and about 3000 kits are sent at the time of Sehri and Iftar. This satisfies those who are not able to get food according to the fasting time table, said Shukoor, manager of a leading hotel at Palayam.

The government has even extended the holidays. "Now it's all up to the moon to show up. Eid Mubarak," he said with a smile.