Langar reflects philanthropists’ generosity

Pakistanis without any doubt have rightfully earned a name for themselves as one of the generous nations but with the advent of the fasting month of Ramazan, their open-handedness increases manifold.

Reflecting this tradition of kindness alive, philanthropists have set up a unique langar, offering free iftar and dinner meals to low-income individuals who are fasting amid the unprecedented onslaught of inflation.

The Reality Langar, located in the Gawalmandi area of Rawalpindi Cantonment, has been operational since 2017. This dastarkhwan serves more than 200 deserving people daily, providing them with a variety of dishes cooked in big restaurants.

According to Reality Langar Information Secretary Rizwan Butt, the primary goal of establishing this langar was to ensure that deserving individuals receive quality food during the fasting month of Ramazan. Unlike traditional langars that usually serve dal roti, Reality Langar offers a diverse menu that includes chicken biryani, beef biryani, mutton korma, chicken tika, mutton tika, beef tika, makhdi halwa, dumpukht, chicken achari, haleem, paye, fruit chaat, chana chaat, Iranian dates, cold drinks, fruits, and other items.

Muhammad Saleem, a pushcart labourer at Gawalmandi market, expressed his appreciation for the delicious iftar and dinner meals provided by Reality Langar during Ramazan. He said that while he relies on the langar for lunch throughout the year, the meals during Ramazan are particularly enjoyable. The langar administration, along with generous benefactors, spares no expense in ensuring a pleasant dining experience for the fasting individuals.

Another beneficiary, Muhammad Asrar Khan, who works as a cobbler in Gawalmandi Chowk, has been visiting the dastarkhwan for iftar and dinner for the past five years. He praised the respectful and disciplined seating arrangements at the langar, where more than 200 people, including labourers, gather daily. Separate arrangements are made for women and children, and parcels are sent to widows who are unable to visit the langar in person.

Rizwan Butt highlighted the generous cooperation of overseas Pakistanis in organising iftar dinners at the local level. He noted that during Ramazan, people eager to earn good deeds increase their donations, despite the rising inflation rate. The philanthropists involved in Reality Langar are dedicated to providing the best iftar and dinner experience for the underprivileged fasting individuals, exemplifying their commitment to serving the community in the name of Allah.

The month of fasting brings challenges, rewards, and enthusiasm to serve humanity. The trend of offering free meals as a form of charity witnesses an upsurge in areas such as the garrison city of Rawalpindi, where dastarkhwans are being operated around the city by individuals and groups of philanthropists for those who are fasting and even those who are not.