Feast of goodness

A sub-sect of the Shia Ismaili community,Dawoodi Bohras are a 1.2 million-strong community worldwide with roots in India and chiefly,Mumbai. While religiously,they too,follow the Koran,the sect chiefly distinguishes itself through the system of priesthood.

As we scan the crowds,Saifuddin Kopty,a community member and resident of the famous Bohri Mohalla near Bhendi Bazar,talks about the holy month of fasting and what sets them apart from other Muslims. “We Bohra Muslims follow a fixed Hijri calendar,which is lunar. So every year,the month of Ramzan begins on the same day and lasts for precisely 30 days,culminating with Eid-ul-Fitr on the 31st day. This implies that unlike most other communities worldwide,our Eid does not depend on sighting of the moon. However,there isn’t more than a day or two’s difference between our Eid and the Eid celebrated by Sunni Muslims,” he explains.

Primarily a community of traders from Gujarat,Bohra Muslims,as part of guidelines set by the Sayedna for the wellbeing of the people,follow the system of Zakat,which is a tax — a certain percentage of their yearly earnings — that every family pays as alms towards the community fund (kothar),managed by the Sayedna. “While the month of Ramzan sees Muslims from across the world give alms,Zakat is compulsory among the Bohra Muslims who give out generously during this period for it is believed to cleanse the soul,” says Irfan Engineer,another community member.

Iftaar,the breaking of the fast,is a popular culinary event across the world,known for the delectable foods that comprise the meal,which includes kebabs,mutton keema,chicken cutlets and other meat specialties,and is as appreciated by non-Muslims for these delicacies.

But according to Kopty,a few years ago,the Sayedna,looking at the richness and possible health hazard posed by such a meal,suggested that the community members instead break the fast with a simple meal of two dates,two biscuits and a cup of tea instead. This is followed by the community dinner at a pre-decided venue in the neighbourhood. Kopty says that not only are hygiene standards maintained here,unlike other street-side food joints,but also looking at the current lifestyles,the meal is prepared in olive oil.

The Bohra Muslims will celebrate their Eid this year on September 9 with morning prayers called Eid ka Khutba,like any other Muslim sect. Most Bohra Muslims will follow this up with a visit to Raudat Tahera in Bhendi Bazar,the mausoleum of the Sayedna’s father. “The 98-year-old Sayedna spends most part of the Eid day here in prayers and believers from across the city and country come here to get a glimpse of him,” Kopty adds.

Culturally,however,there is little difference in the celebrations of Eid across the world. “Just like the others,we meet our near and dear ones. We too prepare the sevaiyyan though we call it sheer khurma. Of course,there is a strong Gujarati influence on our palate but that hardly sets us apart in such cosmopolitan times,” smiles Shaifi Kaanchwala,a housewife from Marol.

In a city like Mumbai,Ramzan and Eid often help bring members of the various Islamic sects together. Engineer seconds this: “Eid is a social festival and since the government holiday for Eid is on the day when Sunni Muslims celebrate Eid,Bohra Muslims too join in for the

celebrations.”