Roadside lavish Iftar parties irk public, NGO launches campaign in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Voicing concern over holding of Iftar parties in public spaces in the city especially in commercial areas, a Hyderabad-based group, Reformers Front of India (RFI) has asked local functionaries of political parties, non-governmental and religious organisations to explore other alternatives for the purpose.

People have expressed their anger against hosting the Iftar parties on busy thoroughfares by blocking the way thus causing inconvenience to motorists, through social media.

Telangana Today has quoted Ahmed Khaleelullah, an IT professional’s post posted on social networking site Facebook, which reads “When we are close to our house to break the roza, we find the road blocked for an Iftar party. If men are alone, they can get down and participate but what about women and elderly persons?”

Ilyas Shamsi, a member of RFI, also echoed Ahmed’s thoughts and Ramadan is the month to practice religion in its full spirit but such practices defeat the very meaning of the holy month. “It is clearly mentioned in the Quran that one should not put any human being to inconvenience,” Shamsi said.

Shamsi and his organisation launched a campaign through social media against roadside Iftar parties. They appealed organisers to choose community halls, local municipal playgrounds, terrace of big apartment buildings or at least prefer places that are least frequented by the public.

RFI also appealed the people to avoid lavish Iftar parties and instead use the money for some constructive purpose, like meeting educational expenses, hospital bills or marriages of girls in poor families.

RFI members argue that the tradition of lavish Iftar parties is something new to the city and a section of people are trying to politicise it.