Eid Mubarak
Posted online: Friday, November 04, 2005 at 0000 hours IST
We are well into the mubarak month of Ramzan, when the faithful, all over the world, observe a dawn to dusk fast, and pray to Allah for forgiveness. Our telly brethren are no different. Screen caught up with a few of them and found out that they rigorously follow the rituals that lead to the joyous celebration of Eid...
Although it is mandatory for every able bodied Muslim to fast during Ramzan, not all TV stars that we spoke to followed it. Rahil Azam fasts only on particular days .i.e. the 27th day and Nausheen Ali Sardar's does not observe the rozas, due to her tough shooting schedules. While others like Rakshanda Khan and Shagufta Ali manage to observe the fast diligently. Shagufta says that although it is tough to fast during shootings, if one has the will, one has the way. For Rakshanda, working for long hours helps to distract her attention from her rumbling stomach, thereby enabling her to do her duty toward God.
All of them believed that the month of Ramzan is a time of complete abstinence from all sorts of pleasures and vices, a time of total devotion to God. It also serves as an opportunity to contemplate on their lives and see where they have gone wrong and rectify the mistakes. Rahil felt that the recent spate of natural calamities (Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita) to hit the planet, is message from God, to either mend our ways or perish. Rakshanda feels that the fasting helps her to experience the pangs of hunger, which the poor and the needy go through everyday. It's also the time to read the holy Quran and follow the path prescribed in it by Allah. Iqbal Khan (Kaisa Ye Pyaar Hai) reads the holy book, but says that this activity should not be restricted to the holy month, but should be followed, throughout the year. Rakshanda used to regularly read the Quran during Ramzan till TV assignments radically changed her time schedule, though even now, she does read a few passages, whenever she gets some spare time.
Shagufta who has been keeping rozas since the age of nine, reads namaz fives time a day, during Ramzan. Rahil Azam, however, finds it difficult to say namaz fives times, because he cannot take the prescribed bath before namaz, during shooting, and he wishes to follow the rituals properly. Rakshanda has found a middle path by saying all the five prayers, either before or after work. This, she says, is sanctioned by Islam, on the grounds that it's better to pray collectively, rather then not pray at all.
Asked as to how they pass time during Ramzan when they are required to abstain from all sorts of pleasures. Iqbal and Rahil said that norms have changed with times, and now listening to music or watching TV is okay even if some traditionalists may scream foul. Rakshanda also attends parties, because they come with her work territory. She draws the line when it comes to going to discotheques during Ramzan.
Now, everybody is anxiously waiting for chand raat which will signify the end of Ramzan and herald the arrival of Eid. It's a time to wear new clothes, apply the ittar and go visiting with family and friends. Shagufta is especially looking forward to Eid this year, as it's her first eid in her new house.
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However, most of the other stars will be working, even on Eid. Iqbal Khan said that the television industry does not take a break during important festivals because if they do so, the whole year will be a holiday, as the Indian calendar is full of festivals. Shagufta plans to take a holiday and celebrate Eid in the traditional style, i.e. do the Ramzan prayers, wish each other. She and her uncle will keep 10 rupee notes ready, and when children ask for Eidi ask them to perform some act and then happily give away Eidi. When Iqbal was small, Eidi was all that Ramzan meant to him.
Eid is also the day, when you get to eat sumptuous pakwans, like saivya, Badam kheer and chicken biryani. Rakhsanda says that for three days, she gives up all ideas of dieting and readily gorges on all types of delicacies. Sending sweets to friends is another common practice, which all the stars follow.
Most stars agreed that commercialization was taking away the true meaning of all festivals. Earlier, people would take out time to wish friends and relatives, today you just send an SMS and feel that you have done your duty. Rakshanda feels, rather than calling it commercialization, she says festivals are getting more and more cosmopolitan. She know of some non-Muslims who also keep roza, "This coming together of communities, at a time of international strife is a god send," she says. Shafguta, however, feels that even today, there are people who still stick to old traditions. Iqbal recommends everyone to visit Muslim-dominated area during Ramzan to see the festival in its full flair and colour.
While celebrating Eid, Muslims are also expected to give Zakat or charity to the underprivileged sections of society. All stars felt that the recent disaster to hit South Asia underscores the need all the more.
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