Ramadhan - The News Caravan

Declaration of Eid in Allahabad By Justice Katju

Syed Maqbool Hasan was the Shahr Qazi of Allahabad ( my home town ) for over half a century.

Although he was also the Imam ( head priest) of Jama Masjid in Allahabad, he never took any money from the funds of Jama Masjid, and earned his livelihood as an ordinary stamp vendor in Allahabad High Court.

When I was a lawyer there ( 1970-1991) I used to see him sitting at the bottom of the stairs below the Bar Association Library, selling stamps. He wore a simple kurta pyjama, and on looking at him one could never make out that he was the Shahr Qazi.

Until he agreed, Eid could not be declared in Allahabad. Since for declaring Eid two respectable Muslims must state that they have sighted the moon, he would rigorously cross examine the persons claiming that they had seen the moon, and he also strictly applied the parameters required before declaring Eid. His integrity was of such a high order that everyone in Allahabad accepted his verdict.

Because of old age ( if alive he must be now in his 90s ) he retired, but before that he was coming to the High Court on a bicycle every working day from his home several miles away.

In 1986 communal riots broke out in Allahabad, but he refused to take any police security, although it was offered to him.

He lived a simple life, and put all the money he earned in educating his children. Today one of his sons is in U.S.A. and the other children are also well settled, some in business, and others in other vocations.

If he is alive, I request people in Allahabad to convey my Eid greetings to him.

April 21, 2023

Keeping one day roza during Ramadan by Justice Katju

Though I am a Hindu, for the last 25-30 years I have kept one day roza ( fast ) during the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan ( called Ramzan in India where I live ), usually on the last Friday, called Alvida.

I also appeal every year to all non Muslims to do the same to express respect and solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters.

This does not mean that non Muslims must change their religion and become Muslims. It is just a symbolic act, to show our respect and solidarity with our Muslim brethren, who are often vilified.

I am a humble disciple of the great French political philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau ( 1712-78 ) who believed in the inherent goodness of people. I too think that 99% members of all religions, whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jew, Buddhist or any other, and of all races and communities, are good by nature. They are, however, vilified by the bigoted acts of the remaining 1%.

We have to end the false propaganda that all Muslims are terrorists. People in the Indian subcontinent and elsewhere are tired of communalism and religious bigotry, and are realising the great harm it does. To counter this poison, we have to administer antidotes. Non-Muslims observing roza for one day during Ramzan and non-Hindus observing vrat for one day during Navratri could be one such antidote.

This year too I will observe one day roza tomorrow, 21st April 2023, which is the last Friday of Ramzan, and I appeal to non Muslims everywhere to do the same.

I enquired from my Muslim friends in Delhi who told me that the time of sehri, the time for beginning the fast in Delhi is 4.20 a.m. ( different regions have different timings ), after which one must not eat or drink anything till the time of iftaar, which is 6.50 p.m. here, when one may break the fast.

So I have told my wife to boil 2 eggs and keep them along with some bread and fruits and milk in the refrigerator at night today. I will get up early morning tomorrow, 21st April, at 4 a.m.and consume these with lots of water before 4.20 a.m, and then begin my fast, which will last till the time of iftaar.

When I was in California a few years back I kept one day roza during Ramzan, after which I had iftaar and dinner at the residence of my friend Shaista Ali who lives in California. Here is a pic of the iftaar. Standing next to me is my friend Santosh Addagulla.

Author Justice Markandey Katju is former Chairman , Press Council of India and former Judge , Supreme Court of India.

April 20, 2023

Mutton Crazy Kashmir Consumes Over 800 Truckloads Of Sheep This Ramadhan

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SRINAGAR: Amidst fluctuating mutton rates, the demand for mutton has increased in the Valley with over 800 truckloads of sheep consumed during the holy month of Ramadan so far.

“Nearly 30-35 trucks loaded with sheep arrive in Kashmir on a regular basis in the past 27 days of Ramadan,” Mehraj ud Din, General Secretary of Mutton Dealers Association said.

He said that there is no shortage of mutton in Kashmir, adding that the shortage of mutton would be possible in case the highway is closed for vehicular movement amid the prevalent weather conditions.

The General Secretary of the association further informed that so far a total of 811 trucks loaded with Sheep arrived in Kashmir since the beginning of Ramadan. “30-35 trucks arrive in Kashmir on a daily basis. The number of trucks ahead of Eid will go up to 160 a day,” he said.

Moreover, the consumers continue to complain that the mutton is being sold at Rs 650-700 per kg, adding that there has been no proper check on the ground as it seems that the mutton dealers and butchers have been let loose to loot the public as per their will.

“One fails to understand the need of issuing a rate list when it is not being implemented on the ground. It seems that the authorities concerned are reluctant to act against the mutton dealers and have been maintaining silence over the issue,” a consumer said.

He further said that a few months back, the concerned officials started a drive to act tough against the mutton dealers, but all in vain as the step has not yield any results for the consumers. (KNO)

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( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

April 18, 2023