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Thousands of makeshift stalls are set up all over the country, where traditional delicious meals are prepared. |
KARACHI — Muslims across Pakistan are putting the final touches to their preparations to welcome the holy fasting month of Ramadan with advance booking of hotels, lawns and other places for mass iftar and sahur parties for family members and friends.
Thousands of makeshift stalls are set up all over the country, where traditional delicious meals are prepared.
As the sun goes down, Ramadan becomes a much more festive occasion.
Friends and families come together for lavish multi-course meals, full of fried foods and rich desserts.
However, they do not forget their poor fellow countrymen who do not afford such lavish iftars.
It has never been a problem for travelers, poor and homeless people to find complimentary iftar in almost all mosques across the country.
In recent years, even those driving their own cars or commuting by public transport had no problem breaking their fast.
They just park at any bus stop or roundabout and enjoy the iftar arranged by fellow citizens with a view to invoking the blessing of Allah.
Street iftar was first introduced in Karachi's Burns Road some 15 years back when the area businessmen and residents set up a small iftar stall where massive traffic jams are an order of the day.
The tradition has since moved from southern Karachi to its eastern and western parts.
Thousands of citizens have to grapple with the massive traffic stuck ups in several parts of the city to reach their homes before the time to break their dusk-to-dawn fast.
Only few make it home in time.
Various big shopping and commercial centers also arrange complementary iftar for their customers.
Pakistan will make an announcement later Wednesday, September 12, on the start of Ramadan.
There are strong chances that the fast will begin from Friday, September 14.
Price Hike
The rush to buy ingredients drives up prices in food markets across the country during Ramadan as costs go up two or three times higher than normal.
"It is not good that during Ramadan, we shoot up the prices instead of shooting them down so that the low income bracket and poor people can enjoy Ramadan," Mrs. Saleem Hashmi, a school teacher, told IOL.
"Price of almost every item goes down at Christmas, but prices go up in Ramadan."
She says salaries cannot keep pace with the soaring prices, making life for the average family more difficult during the holy month.
Shopkeepers, however, blame the price hike on supply and demand.
"We do not increase the prices unilaterally. It's because of supply and demand. People buy more during Ramadan, which causes shortage of several items," said Naseem Ali, who owns a departmental store in a crowded market of Karachi.
The government insists it is doing all it can to keep provisions affordable and government-run stores are selling basics like rice and sugar below market value.
Health experts are warning against the consumption of fatty food during Ramadan.
Khajla Pheni (sweet dish), yogurt, dates, milk, sweets, samosa, pakora (fried dishes of flour mixed with potato, onions, chilly and other spices) and other fried items are the favorite dishes during Ramadan.
Dr. Abdul Malik, a senior nutritionist, says that every year he sees fasting Pakistanis actually gain weight during Ramadan.
"Because the food is usually very fatty and contains a lot of sugar, a person can go obese," he cautioned.
Dr Malik said diabetics and people suffering from hypertension are at particular risk.
"Ramadan is about focusing on faith, family and charity. But it would not hurt if Pakistanis keep an eye on diet as well."
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