In our endlessly changing and dynamic society, social trends emerge and evolve ever so often. Through time, such trends often become customary. One such recent trend is the binge eating and overindulgence during iftar – the iftar parties. The trend of the iftar buffet seems to be one that is growing to become a tradition of the elite society.
While some customs enhance richness in culture, this particular trend is undoubtedly worth criticising. Iftar buffets contradict the true purpose of Ramadan, resulting in meaningless festivity, waste of food, loss of time to pray, loss of humility, and most importantly, the reinforcing of the sin of gluttony.
For a developing country like ours, it is to a large extent preposterous and ridiculous to spend such amount of money that we do on iftar buffets. The eateries are excessively occupied by customers, with some of them even waiting in queues. Twenty-five or more food items are placed neatly on the table to be self-served, at prices that range from Tk800 to Tk2000 and above. The ultimate result is an unnecessary waste of money and leftover food.
The contrast of the people in the city restaurants and the beggars residing just outside portrays a picture that is unfortunate, selfish, depressing, and gives a jerk of harsh reality. Inside the restaurants are affluently dressed-up people with excessive food items that give them a confusing range of choice. Right outside reside individuals or children with bare bodies and hungry stomachs. It seems as if the month of Ramadan has become the time to maximise profit by commercialising the whole act of iftar.
The excessive payment for the food is then followed by overeating to utilise the money to the maximum. Even after binge eating of unhealthy food that leaves a bloated and sick feeling, there remains an abundant of leftover that is entirely wasted. The Maghrib Salah has been already missed. And, at the later part of the night, there remain little time and energy for Isha and Tarabi Salah after enduring the endless and intolerable traffic on the way home from the iftar party.
Subconsciously, and perhaps intentionally, there is misuse of money on the month that emphasises on charity – zakat. Occupied in planning and preparing for the flashy and wasteful iftar parties, the energy is diverted from the real deals of Ramadan. Humility seems to disperse while Instagram pictures of expensive food are uploaded to boost the social status on Facebook.
As there are high profits for the restaurant owners on the month of Ramadan, the rich become richer. Lately, there is also a growing trend of extravagant sehri parties. With time and money invested in get-togethers and seeking out special buffet offers, there is improper allocation leading to a lack of time for praying and to fund for helping the needy.
On the other hand, the modern take on iftar parties conducted in the restaurants eases the difficulties to host one at home. An iftar get-together at eateries enables an already-prepared meal that everyone can enjoy together. For a large get-together, it alleviates the hassle and stress of preparation and cooking at home. Hence, a nice meal with family and friends is well justified. However, in the iftar or sehri parties that have evolved as of late, are we not losing ourselves in overindulgence? With wasted food, lost time and energy for prayers, and misuse of money, are we not losing focus from what Ramadan aims to teach us?
Instead of a lavish and loud iftar party, picture a calm and quite iftar at home. A nice iftar meal outside is pleasant too as long as we remember to restrain from overindulgence that diverts attention from the compulsory acts of Ramadan. Let us make iftar a time which allows spiritual enrichment and strengthens family bonding.
Iftar party is an unfortunate oxymoron that we have cultivated recently. Before it becomes a persisting tradition, I hope that we avert from this trend and embrace the true purpose that is intended for the month of Ramadan.
