Times are changing, but so are traditions.
For the first time in Lucknow, the iftar that is held during Ramzan in mosques will have a new menu for devotees.
Besides traditional kebabs, sheermal and biryani, 10 mosques in the Uttar Pradesh capital will have pizzas, burgers and spring rolls in their iftar menu.
The Hussainabad Trust that oversees arrangements in 10 mosques has decided to include non-conventional items in the iftar menu. Mr Shikoh Azad, secretary of the Royal Families of Avadh, said the idea behind adding new items to the traditional menu was to make the iftar menu more attractive and healthy.
“We are doing away with aloo-chaat, patties and pakoras as these tend to decay fast during the monsoon and we don’t want devotees falling ill. We will serve spring rolls, pancakes, fruit salad, boiled eggs, imarti and bun-butter this time,” he said.
When asked whether this wouldn’t annoy Muslim clerics who still swear by traditional iftar fare, Mr Shikoh Azad said there were no specifications about iftar food, and changes were made due to the rainy season when even normal food can rot very quickly.
The trust will also offer free meals to 600-odd poor Muslims ever day during Ramzan. “We will serve roti-dal and mutton for the entire month. We have increased the budget from `6 lakhs to `10 lakhs,” Mr Azad said.