The trend of throwing lavish Iftar parties during Ramzan seems to be on the wane with even the regular hosts choosing to keep the social event off their calendars, with a result that networking and socialising at these parties has seen a significant decline in Hyderabad. Observers peg the drop to a variety of reasons. While some have been abstaining on accord of the incessant rains this monsoon, others say that they will cease to host elaborate Iftar dinners as “few stand to gain” from them.
Take for instance Hansain Saberi, a prominent city-based entrepreneur, who for the past eight years has been hosting Iftar parties for around 500 people at Aziz Bagh, his ancestral home in Noorkhan Bazaar. This year, however, is going to be different. “I do not intend to host a party this year. There is an increased awareness in the community that it is better to help the poor than throw Iftars. Charity is central to Ramzan. This is said in mosques and is being encouraged by a large number in the community including my elders,” Saberi says.
Noted philanthropist Zahid Ali Khan too has vowed not to host large Iftar events this year. “It is more important to feed the lesser-privileged, not just in Ramzan but also in other months,” he says. Terming the parties as ‘social networking platforms’, Zafar Javeed, who has been working in the field of minorities education says: “Muslims leaders now know that Iftar parties mean little. They have become more focussed and realise they should look at avenues that will fetch them results. They want loans for businesses. They need scholarships which are adequate along with proper implementation of the PM’s 15-point programme.”
Wali Khan, another businessman, too has observed the shift in trend. He notes that a saturation point has been reached over the years. Apart from charity, he believes that it is the monsoon which has dampened the party spirit this year. “Many homes are not equipped to handle big crowds. Making arrangements outside in this weather is cumbersome. This is another reason why Iftar parties are declining,” he said. That notwithstanding, intimate family get-togethers are commonplace this season, he adds.
Political parties, both large and small, are scheduled to host Iftar parties in the last 10 days of Ramzan with the chief minister’s Iftar gathering slated on August 2. Other political parties are likely to host Iftar dinners too. “We have been busy preparing for Narendra Modi’s visit. But we will definitely host an Iftar party soon,” said BJP Minority Morcha president FS Layaq Ali.
