Ratna G. Chotrani/Hyderabad (Telangana)

In India, one cannot separate food from faith. Be it Muslims, Jews , Sikhs ,Christians or Hindus, the massive cooking in holy kitchens always amaze people.

The large scale cooking satiates the hunger of millions of people who visit holy shrines. This holds good for special dishes made in all places of worship -whether it is Meethe Chawal in Dargah Sharif or it is the cauldron of Halwah during Rosh Hashanah of the Jews, ot the Guru Ka Langar in the Gurdwara or a sheera or lemon rice being served in Hindu temples.

Now for Milad–Un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Mohammad, the mosque and dargah committees will host a meal for people of all faiths- a meal at the masjid to break religious barriers. This is indeed a gesture that can build a bridge of understanding among people of different religions .

This will be the second phase of “Visit my Mosque” programme being held in Hyderabad. On previous occasions, several mosques were opened for people of all religions .Now they propose to serve food as part of Milad -Un- Nabi. Apart from Hyderabad, mosques  and dargah committees in other parts of India including Vijayawada will open doors of several mosques and dargahs to everybody.

Mazhar Hussain ,Executive Director, COVA Peace Network who conceptualized this event “Visit My Mosque” outreach programme, said that  in the past too, people assembled, broke fast and enjoyed festivities with near and dear ones. 

He writes, "People would break their fast with zalibay-i-nabat (beielved to be the present day Jalebi). Kebabs and fuqqa, a beverage made with barley ,sugar, raisins, herbs and spices . The gidabdaran (vessels for rose water) was used for sprinkling perfumes and rose water on the guests. Exchange of presents and sweet dishes was common practice.” On Shesh-i-Id, people ate ruqaq and shakkar paich (a sweetmeat made with rice or wheat and sugar) and exchanged fine bread and sweet halwa as presents. He said tht this traditional practice continues to be followed. 

Although Milad-un Nabi falls on September 28 this year, the Muslim religious leaders in Hyderabad decided to hold the Milad- un- Nabi related public events from September 23 to 27 in order to avoid clash with the Ganesh immersion that falls on September 28 . As part of this event, Dargahs and mosques hosted  'Meal at Masjid'  from September 23 to 27 .

Mazhar says that the purpose is not to just invite religious leaders but common people from neighbourhood with special focus on getting as many youth as possible from all communities . He said that the programme has received a very good response across the world .Now this time too, as many as 300 mosques from  seven countries have agreed to host lunch or dinner on Milad –un- Nabi.

The organizations in seven countries who have come forward to be part of the programe includes America, England, Canada ,India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka who are partnering in the programme.

More than 20 mosques have come forward in Hyderabad to be part of the programe. A dedicated website has been set up to enable mosque committees to organize Meal at Masjid and upload the photographs . 

Mazhar Hussain further explained that during the 'Meal at Masjid programme', giuests will get an opportunity to know about the life of Prophet Mohammed and his teachings. Likewise, the participants from dargahs and masjids will learn about the teachings from the non Muslim guests about the core teachings of their religions and prophets or saints to understand the core teachings of all. It will be sort of a an exchange of teachings of each other’s faiths . This will be then followed by the lunch or dinner. He is also in talks with leaders of other religious communities o host similar lunch or dinner meetings on their festivals .This way, there is not only camaraderie but also one can develop a clear perspective and do away with misunderstandings he said .

Mazhar Hussain said that  Milad- Un -Nabi is just the beginning. Apart from opening mosques and dargahs for the various religious communities  blood donation camps were oranized in the run upto the festival. He said that several mosques in the twin cities are doing philanthropic work like hosting inmates of old age homes, running health camps,  providing mid-day meal to children in slums besides others.

Hussain says the object is to ensure festival of all faiths be made an occasion to bond with our neighbours of different communities. It is not only about sharing core values and understanding of each other’s faith but to share a meal and to enjoy each other’s company as well.