Ramzan: Nights full of life in Purani Dilli 

It is during Ramzan that regular announcements are made to keep the mosque clean and take care of the kids. It reminds people to be vigil and maintain the sanctity of the mosque.

After the Maghrib prayer, when it is time to break the fast, people move towards the market and hotels. The whole Chitli Qabar road is crowded with those enjoying Korma, fried fish, shahi tukde or buying clothes, shoes and purses.

“During Ramzans, the nights are full of life, the shops and eateries are open till sehri time (3.50 a.m.),” says Aijaz Noor of Lal Kuan. Aijaz recollects ,“Since childhood I have been seeing that a person knocks every door in the night to awake people for sehri, the pre-dawn meal, and he is not paid but on the day of Eid people do give him cash and gifts”.

“People come from all over Delhi to eat Nahari at Shabrati hotel and lovers of fried chicken and fish rush to Mohammad Hussain shop,” shares Noor. “Earlier, there used to be shabeena (recitation of Quran in Tarawih in one shab (night), but it doesn’t happen any longer.

The faithful inside and around Jama Masjid are of the opinion that sure that neither the heat nor the demonetisation has dampened the spirit of Ramzan. Without food and water for 15 hours is a real test in this hot weather “When it comes to Ramzan the Muslims are so enthusiastic that nothing can affect their spirits” says Shakir.