Even 20 to 25 years back, the now-popular Iftar culture was almost unknown to the city youth hubs like the university campuses. In the bygone days in Dhaka, the ending of a day's Ramadan fast used to be confined to homes. Iftar with relatives and close friends was an occasion that did not take place too often. However, Iftar parties at social and political levels became a vogue eventually. Over the last couple of decades, widely participated Iftar sessions have become a common event in the month of fasting.
Impromptu Iftar sessions on Dhaka University campus, in the Shahbagh area and Nilkhet are altogether a different scenario. These sessions exude a solemn youthfulness. The participants follow little formalities, yet the sessions are distinguished by their exclusiveness. The small get-togethers are limited to close friends, with contributions for buying Iftar items coming from those present. There are no compulsions on joining the money pool; after all, the event is Iftar -- which is all open, and in which even strangers can join. To have a close view of Dhaka's on-the-spot Iftar sessions, and feel their warmth, one must visit the TSC area on DU campus. No matter how noisy or edgy a day has been, with the approach of the sunset a cool resignation and leisurely air descend on the area. With the footpath vendors getting busy deep-frying the oily Iftar items, the rush around them keeps getting thicker. Scores of arms are stretched out with money held between fingers. Everybody wants the take-away snacks without delay, patience keeps running out. Small quarrels also take place at times. But by the time the Magreb Azan is heard, which is Iftar time, things become quiet and peaceful. The whole TSC area offers an intimate, fraternity-filled, and unusual, view. One will find the building's corridors, the veranda and other spaces, and the green lawn dotted with numerous circles comprising young men and women. Most of them are students. The spell of muffled voices and a brief silence ends with the sound of Azan coming from the nearby mosque. What follows is a period of quiet drinking, fresh water for ending the fast, and eating the Iftar delicacies. Of course, sounds of low gossip fill the area, punctuated by an amiable burst of laughter, all adding to the beauty of having Iftar in the open.
Breaking the day-long Ramadan fast outside one's home is a popular ritual in Dhaka these days. Hundreds of people settled down for Iftar on the floors of massive malls amid brisk Eid shopping comprise a normal sight nowadays. To an outsider, the view might seem strange. Perhaps, the scene of families and relatives gathering in small, round islands of people at a shopping place to end fast is unique to this country. Likewise, the largely attended Iftar parties at spacious venues are also becoming distinctive. With the passing of years, newer items are being added to the Iftar menu.
Outside these exclusive zones, the capital's roadside eateries do not fail to play host to their regular clients. They belong to the so-called lower-class people including rickshaw-pullers, hawkers and day labourers. Quite often, passers-by also join them. The look may be different. But the spirit is the same as found at other Iftar sessions.
shihabskr@ymail.com
