Let’s Iftar, shall we?

There are multiple Iftar-types available today: The Secular Iftar, the 9/11 Iftar, the Power Iftar, the Alliance Iftar, the Elite Iftar; the Family Iftar and lastly and not so pleasantly, the Poverty Iftar. It all depends on which one you want to pick and be a part of.

In India, it is like a season of Secular Iftars. Even Bihar's Laloo Prasad Yadav is known for throwing Iftar parties. Ex-prime minister of India, Deve Gowda was also known for his great Iftar gatherings. It seems as if the Indian politicians continue to wear caps and offer dates (khejur) to the Muslim voters of India only to honour the spirit of thousands of years of the Rig Veda: "Aa No Bhadrah Kratavo Santu Vishvatah" (Let noble thoughts come to us from every side) from which Nehru adopted the slogan of 'Sarva Dharma Sambhav' (Equal respect for all the religions).

It is believed that the late Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, during his tenure as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh had begun this unique concept of political Iftars. For him, it was the quiet sunset dinners at his home, extensively thrown for the Muslim politicians. Apparently, Mrs. Gandhi followed the trend, indulged in great Iftars in the 1980s and turned them into political fetes.

On the 11th of August, Barack Obama hosted an Iftar for a few selected Muslims. The Iftar menu at the Obamas included: dates, spiced Marcona almonds, kitchen garden green salad, organic chicken with potato-and-leek puree and late-summer peas. This menu is not a surprise specially when with Michelle Obama's 'My Plate' slogan with more protein and less dairy, the US is going hungry. But, yes! Obama's Iftar helped as the invitees were carefully chosen; a Bangladeshi widow from 9/11 and her child were chosen but carefully omitted was the Ambassador from Bangladesh. Ahem!

Back at home, we are busy watching Power Iftars and alliance Iftars. While the honourable prime minister broke her power fast with the top notch, important, noticed, and the controversial movers and shakers of the land, the opposition leader did her alliance Iftar with eight like-minded political parties.

Now comes the fun part. I overheard a conversation the other night. "Let's Sehri, shall we?" said one. "Ummm, let's Iftar instead?" responded the other. "And let's Tarabih as well, shall we?" I was amazed at the social impact of Ramadan in Dhaka. Apparently this year, even Tarabih is a celebration as I am hearing about Tarabih jamats being organised at houses of top socialites who have once again found a way even to be in the middle of the Ramadan spotlight.

The fun of turning all these nouns (Iftar, Sehri, Tarabih) into verbs is actually amazing. It is almost like following the popular usages like: "Let's Skype", "let's Google", "let's Xerox"! Frankly, I am glad that Ramadan is bigger this time with more young Muslims practicing. Young people meeting up for Sehri, Iftar and Tarabih is assuring as long as the practice stays contained within the discussions on regular social dialogue. Unfortunately, most religious people I know also have a tendency to speak in Urdu. So, firstly Urdu, and secondly, the possibility of breeding ultra-Islamism in these small spheres frighten me to death. So, when I hear normal Bangladeshi kids getting together for Sehri and Iftar, I breathe in relief.

I am not blasphemous. I am not a non-believer. I don't lack faith. I am a Muslim and a practicing one. But honestly, I don't endorse our practices anymore. I am tired of dining table tops vanishing under the Iftar dishes. Time for a few hard-hitting facts to grapple with: While inflation was reported to be at 10.67 percent in April 2011 with food inflation surging to 14.36percent in the same month compared to the point-to-point food inflation standing at 8.28 percent in December 2010, every item except for rice and lentil is costing at least 30-50 percent more this year; sugar's selling at Tk 65.00/kg and edible oil at Tk 112.00/litre. A recent reality check by a research centre revealed that in 2000 the food inflation was at 2.68 per cent, in 2005-7.91 per cent, bringing another 0.2 million people drowning under the poverty line and today it stands at the highest peak grounding the poor people substantially more than the last decade or so.

Yet, piyajus, chola but, halim, begunis, juices, tempuras, jilebis, and all the other Iftar items keep on marching to our tables. For heaven's sake, how much more can a 14-hour fasting Muslim eat? The recent remark of the commerce minister asking the people to eat less has drawn a lot of flack. Cartoons have been drawn; many politicians have shut the poor minister up. But if you ask me, I think that his message was probably meant for us, who layer our appetite with sugar. Am sharing an Iftar menu that may put a few of us to shame: The standard Iftar menu at many readymade garment factories looks somewhat like this:

Dates: 2 pieces: Tk 2.00

Chola: 80 gsm: Tk 6.00

Piayaju: 1 piece: Tk 3.00

Potato chop: 1 piece: Tk 3.00

Beguni: 1 piece: Tk 3.00

Jilebi: 1 piece: Tk 3.00

Muri: 50 gm: Tk 3.00

Banana: 1 piece: Tk 3.00

This totals Tk 26.00

Having a Tk 500.00 meal against a measly 26.00 is sure to give us tummy ache. No wonder many of us are suffering severe indigestion for the last ten days!

Why is Ramadan turning us into indifferent Muslims this year? We are eating more; we are getting more and more into a pre-Eid mood; we are booking all our Eid vacations way in advance; are working lesser hours and of course, wearing more traditional clothes than intended.

But what is continuing to hurt is hypocrisy… The Eid bazaar is throbbing; the food bazaar is enticing; the social bazaar is at its peak. In a society of multiple bazaars, unfortunately the bazaar of conscience is sitting empty with its tin plates tinkling with coins.

As per the World Bank report, 13 million people have been lifted off the poverty level. "Poor" people, as per their definition are those who cannot afford 2122 calories. Compared to 2005 statistics of 60 million poor people of this country, in 2010 we had 46.8 million. In 1990, 70 percent were living below the poverty line and by 2005 it had come down to 40 percent. But strangely, I don't feel assured with figures anymore.

Bangladesh Bank and Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics have statistics for us; so do the think tanks and other independent national and international agencies. How do these statistics assure us, really? My Hanufa bua is still buying her daily Iftar at Tk 50.00 for her six-member household this year. Last year, her piyaju cost her Tk 1.00; this year it's selling at Tk 3.00 per piece. The only thing that she's having more this year is Paan (betel leaf) as it is Tk 30.00/bira. But most of the time, she's having it without her supari (betel nut) as it has shot to a 300.00 per kg this year. Paan seems to be her saviour for this season.

Wondering what's going to be ours?

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Rubana Huq is Managing Director, Mohammadi Group.