A sense of urgency is in the air. Ponvizha Mahal, a wedding hall in a by-lane off Eswaran Kovil Street in Kottaimedu, is enveloped in the sweet smell of biryani. With less than 45 minutes to go for iftar, the fast-breaking evening meal during Ramzan, members of the Thareekathul Islam Shafia Jamath are preparing to welcome over 500 people to partake in nonbu kanji, mutton biryani, paruppu vadai, and mango juice. B A Badurdeen, the vice-president of the group that is affiliated to the Kottai Thareekathul Islam Shafia Jamath Mosque, is pouring mango juice into a row of steel tumblers. Nearby, other members are scooping biryani into plates to be placed at waiting tables.
“This is a yearly tradition,” says Badurdeen, pausing to dip a jug into a gigantic steel vessel filled with juice with ice cubes floating atop. Every year, the jamath, that is over 80 years old, offers free iftar through Ramzan. Contributions come from its members, most of whom are from Coimbatore.
