Iftari in Madina

By Dr. Muhammad Hafizullah

The number of items being served on Iftari, though strictly regulated by the authorities, has remained the same but the variety has increased over the years. The Iftari in Masjad Nabvi is perhaps the most extravagant in the world. Though the authorities forbid people taking anything cooked inside the premises, yet what they offer is most nourishing, energising and truly healthy as if prescribed by a doctor. The usual Iftari is confined to dates, bread, yoghurt, halwa and lots and lots of water. But the hospitality of the residents of Medina has introduced diversified variety in these items, rendering it more appetising and filling at the same time.

Large Afghani roti is the most popular form of bread to be consumed in Sehri. This is almost double of what we used to have in Peshawar in good old days; when we felt proud of our 'Peshawari Roti' besides many other things. Hot roti served with meat or chicken gravy is most tempting and enjoyable. This sort of bread does not appear on Iftari's menu. If memory serves me right, there were only a couple of types of bread in yesteryear but this time round there was an assortment to match the taste of everyone. The bread came in three sizes- large, medium and small. Small bread was the new innovation - two to three inches in diameter white bread filled with cottage cheese. These were distributed, off and on, by a specific person and were favourite of many. Large bread came both in brown and white versions - one per person specially baked for Iftaris. A new variety seen for the first time was white ring shaped bread with sesame seeds, sought more by the younger generation. Some will dip them into gehwa and eat it and others with yoghurt. Many preferred brown bread - having higher fibre content, lower in calories, less constipating effect and being healthier. Others fancied white bread and enjoyed it with yoghurt or halwa. Small bread came in different variety, white and brown and hard and soft. Everyone had its own priority but more than half of them remained untouched as supply was far more than the demand!

Iftari always starts with dates; nicely packed cartons of dates are opened and then offered to guests in disposable plastic plates. High in sugar content dates offer instant source of energy. Whereas in previous years it was usually twenty to twenty- four pieces of half ripe Rotana, this time the choices had increased manifold. In spite of my protests that it is not possible for a human to consume twenty dates, the hosts did not agree to reduce the number, considering it below the high standards of hospitality.  Berhi is very sweet, soft and full of instantaneous energy and many hosts select this variety for their guests.

Besides the main hosts many others local and guests 'smuggle' in other varieties and distribute it with affection. Just before Iftari most people have five to six types of dates  including Kholas, Nebutsaff, Segai, Khudri, Sirri, Munifri, Sefri, Sellage  Shagra, and Medjool. A middle aged gentleman clad in Touk would distribute Ajwa -exactly five or seven in number and would refuse to deliver if someone extended left hand instead of right. Ajwa dates have the reputation of being blessed by Holy Prophet PBUH and they are the most expensive.  Another gentleman offered almond and pistachio-filled dates and special ones with sesame seeds and chocolates with dates' base. Soft sweet dates soaked in juice were offered by an elderly local along with tissue papers. They were most delicious and would quickly dissolve in mouth.

Dates come in multitude of varieties, varying in size being small, medium and large; shape being oblong, cylindrical or rounded; colour varying from gold to black with many shades in between; skin being firm to loose with air pockets; consistency being soft, little hard to real hard - throwing a challenge for teeth. Biochemically they are rich in sugar content and low in lipids and proteins. On average sugar content varies from 86 to 96 per cent, vitamin C nil to 2.9 %, some have vitamin A, proteins 1.59 -2.5 % and fats 0.9 to 1.2 %. They contain traces of minerals like of Zinc, Magnesium and iron.

In Masjad Nabvi, the hosts start preparations for Iftari immediately after Asr prayers. Thick and waterproof plastic sheets are spread out in front of the devotees. The territories are marked and over the years we have been seeing same faces with renewed enthusiasm.

Most Madni hosts ensure their personal presence and try to organise Iftari under their direct supervision. Many are helped by the younger generation - mainly their children and nephews; as if training them for the future responsibilities. Though helped by servants, mainly Bangladeshis, high standards are ensured through frequent 'quality control' checks.