Ramzan is a time of fasting and feasting for Muslims. But the city’s Dawoodi Bohras are also using the holy month to spread healthy and hygienic eating practices in their community.
The community’s spiritual leader, Sydena Burhanuddin, has issued a diktat asking followers to observe new dietary rules during the month.
A fortnight ago, Bohra caterers, who serve iftaar meals at community centres where the faithful flock to break the day-long fast, attended a meeting where they received instructions on how to cook healthier and hygienic meals.
Apart from ensuring that food remains hygienic at a time when the city is witnessing an onslaught of seasonal diseases, the new rules are also meant to promote healthy eating habits in a community known to be full of epicureans.
Community members have been asked not to break the day-long fast with a heavy meal. When Bohras go to the local community centre to break their fast, they are offered a light snack comprising two dried dates, a couple of biscuits and a cup of tea.
The dinner that is served later is cooked using less oil and sugar. Bohra banquets usually feature multiple desserts. But this Ramzan, the iftaar meals are leaner with only one starter dish and a singular dessert.
Mosques have introduced new rules to ensure that kitchens are clean. For instance, the Jamali mosque at Mazgaon has instructed cooks to wear gloves and aprons while handling food.
Kitchen attendants have been asked to keep their hair short. Also, only packaged or filtered water is served at the mosques.
“Earlier, such precautions were not taken so seriously,” said Saifuddin Dhuliawala who worships at the mosque.
“The result is that there have been fewer cases of monsoon-related illnesses among Bohras because of these rules on hygiene,” said Saifuddin Kopty, a community member from Fort.
Caterers, who are playing an important role in this community project to spread healthy eating habits, are following the dietary instructions carefully. Qutub Moaiyadi of Qutbi Caterers, who serves around 500 meals daily at mosques in Colaba and Mazgaon, earlier used around 10 litres of oil every day.
Now he has reduced his oil consumption to six litres — a 40% reduction. “I have replaced groundnut oil and ghee with sunflower oil. Sweets are prepared using sugar substitutes,” said Moaiyadi.
Bohras are not complaining about the more austere meals. “People are accepting the idea and are even asking for sugar-free ice creams,” said Moaiyadi.
For Bohras, Wednesday was the 16th day of fast. The period of fasting will end on September 7 and will be followed the next day by the festival of Ramzan Id.
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