Unfazed by inflation, devotees continue tradition of ‘langar’

Karachiites keep passion high to distribute food, sweets, beverages among Eid Miladun Nabi procession participants

KARACHI:

Despite rising inflation and many other social issues, the passion of Karachiites remained high to celebrate the Eid-e-Miladun Nabi.

The lighting and decoration of lanes and mosques, extravagant rallies and the distribution of food, sweets and beverages among the participants of the 12 Rabiul Awwal processions continued as per tra- dition, organisers told The Express Tribune.

Shehzad Nizami and Nadeem Ahmad Nizami, who distributed food and refreshment among procession participants, said that special arrangements were made in different parts of the city for distribution of free food known as langar.

The custom of distribution of food in the name of Holy Prophet (PBUH) is common in city areas including Golimar, Gurumandir, Timber Market, Hussainabad, Azizabad, Nazimabad and North Nazimbad.

The langar organisers, Shehzad Nizami and Nadeem Ahmad Nizami, said that since the night of 11 Rabi Awwal, tea, biscuits and other refreshments were distributed to the arriving processions.

They said that, from night, the pots are cleaned and the animals are slaughtered and the pots are placed on the burning coals and wood for cooking, and every year at 8am in Golimar, this ritual is started, which continues till the end of the 12 Rabiul Awwal.

They said, "our forefathers started Nazr-o-Niaz at a small scale years ago, but it is improving year by year."

Muhammad Farooq, who runs a commercial kitchen, locally known as pakwan house, in Timber Market, received orders beyond the capacity of the kitchen. "With all stoves engaged in the kitchen, we had to cook biryani and pulao on coals and wood on the streets." He said, "A 10kgs pot of chicken biryani is being sold at Rs12,000, while a 10kgs pot of beef biryani is being sold at Rs15,000."

On the other hand, some shopkeepers complained that the purchasing power of citizens has been affected due to the rising inflation. The increase in the prices of tomatoes, curd and green chilies has adversely affected their business, while the use of gas cylinders has caused further problems.

Due to the inflation, philanthropists preferred to prepare foods by themselves instead of giving orders to pakwan houses.

Mehfil-e-Milad in jail

Milad mehfils were also organised in Central Jail and District Jail Malir.

A large number of jail inmates, superintendents and officers participated in the Milad. Special dishes were also prepared on this occasion.

The Milad was held in Central Jail mosqu, in which Jail Superintendent Muhammad Hassan Sehto, Deputy Superintendent Saeed Soomro, Jailer Imran Abbas, Jailer Yousuf and other officials and a large number of prisoners participated.

Many prisoners recited naats. The imam of the mosque shed light on the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Jail Superintendent Muhammad Arshad Hussain and other officials as well as inmates participated in the Milad celebration organized in District Jail Malir.

Salaam was also recited at the end of the ceremony.

According to the jail authorities, special dishes were prepared for the prisoners on this occasion.