City buzzes as Ramazan moon sparks first-day rush

Markets, mosques and main roads jammed as residents rush to prepare, triggering severe traffic snarls

KARACHI:

As the sun dipped below the horizon on Wednesday, the Maghrib hues heralded the start of Ramazan, and Karachi came alive as the holy month's moon was sighted. Streets, markets, and mosques buzzed with activity as residents rushed to prepare for the first day of fasting. From crowded bazaars to jam-packed roads, the city experienced a colorful yet chaotic welcome to the sacred month.

Shoppers thronged butcheries, vegetable stalls, dairy shops and bakeries, particularly seeking popular Ramazan treats like khajla and pheni, creating long queues and crowded streets. Market activity was visible across neighbourhoods, as families stocked up for Sehri meals and Iftar feasts.

Mosques across the city had completed special arrangements for the first Taraweeh prayers, at both indoor and open-air locations. Taraweeh prayers of varying durations - ranging from five to 27 days - will be conducted in mosques, with households also holding special religious observances during the month.

Traffic chaos mirrored the shopping rush. Major arteries including MA Jinnah Road, Sharae Faisal, Saddar, Tower, II Chandrigar Road, Korangi Road, Liaquatabad, University Road, Rashid Minhas Road, and Shahrah-e-Pakistan were clogged with vehicles. Commuters faced severe jams, with short distances taking minutes to cover. Normal traffic flow resumed late into the night.

Traffic police officials noted that the city's congestion was exacerbated by ongoing projects, including the Red Line on University Road, Green Line extension on MA Jinnah Road, and repairs on Jahangir Road. They assured that measures are being taken to improve traffic flow in the coming days.

Despite the gridlock, the city's Ramazan preparations were evident everywhere - from food markets stocked for Sehri and Iftar to mosques ready to welcome worshippers for nightly prayers. Karachi's announcement of Ramazan combined devotion, festivity, and the familiar citywide hustle, setting the tone for a lively holy month.