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Chandani Chowk is bursting at the seams with Indian Muslims ahead of `Eid. (IOL photo) |
NEW DELHI — As the holy fasting month of Ramadan is ready to depart and markets are overflowing with goods, Indian Muslims are busy buying new clothes and traditional sweet to mark `Eid Al-Fitr.
"Chandani Chowk is the ultimate one-stop shop for everything under the sun," Nazia Erum, a Delhi-based college student, told IslamOnline.net Friday, October 12, referring to a famous crowded market that lies between the 17th century Red Fort and Delhi’s Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.
"As Eid nears, people throng Chandani Chowk like never before. The actual action begins only after the evening," she said referring to the shopping spree after Iftar.
Erum says merchants used to working round the clock ahead of `Eid.
"Even if you visit it after mid night, you can witness lots and action and drama. Young men shout witty slogans to attract potential buyers. Lettered and unlettered Muslims haggle with shop owners over prices of cheap clothes, cosmetics and kitchenware," she said.
"It is the hallmark of Muslim presence in Delhi."
`Eid Al-Fitr will be celebrated in India on Sunday, October 14, since there was no trace of the Shawwal moon on Friday.
"Even if Shawwal moon does not appear on Saturday, Ramadan 30, `Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday," Maulana Abdul Ahad Azhari, vice-president of the Delhi-based Islamic Fiqh Academy told IOL.
`Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, is traditionally a day when families visit relatives and head to public parks for picnics and relaxation, wearing their best.
"Even a laborer is dressed in his best outfit in front of his factory owner on the day of wage distribution," Mufti Mohammed Ismail told IOL.
"Why can’t a Muslim don his best clothes on the day of reward from Allah?" he wondered.
Sheikh Ismail has not settled on the topic of the `Eid's sermon yet.
"I am doing preparation for `Eid sermon. I am finalizing which topic to focus this year," said Ismail.
Cheap
For Fatima Bi, a housewife, it is the market's cheap prices and miscellaneous collections that attract her most.
"Sheer variety and economically priced goods are the driving force that I visit it every year for Eid shopping," said Bi, who came all the way to buy sandals for her children.
Sweet stalls are flooded with customers desperate to buy sweet dishes. There are a variety of sweet dishes that Indian Muslims prepare for `Eid.
"Having some sweet before `Eid prayer is the Sunnah (tradition) of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)," Maulana Azhari said.
The most famous `Eid sweet dish in India is sheer khorma which is made from a combination of milk, flour and dry fruits.
"Necessary ingredients to make sheer khorma sell like hotcakes during last 2-3 days of Ramadan," Ahmed Hasan, a worker at Mumbai’s Zam-Zam sweet stall, said.
Muslim women’s favorite obsession for `Eid is henna which is usually applied on hands a day before the festival.
"Most of the women spend on quality henna cones," Nigar Shaikh, owner of a cosmetic store, said.
"Women can buy henna cones at steep prices also once they are convinced that it is of good quality and they will get it nowhere else," she said.
"We offer different designs of henna charts as complementary gift to attract more buyers."
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