By Shafeeq Hudawi

Kozhikode: For Muslims, Ramadan is not only a time observe fast but also a month of celebrating togetherness through Iftars, the collective breaking of fast.

Mosques, institutions, markets and public places host Iftar during the holy month, and in Kerala, which has more than 30,000 mosques, the situation is no different. However, what makes this year’s Iftars slightly different is the decision by Muslim organizations in the southern Indian state to discourage the use of plastic as far as possible during the Iftar.

Panakkad Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal, leader of the Indian Union of Muslim League, has appealed the public to abstain from using plastic for Iftar. Thangal is the state president of Sunni Mahallu Federation (SMF), the upper body of mosques, run by Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama.

In lines with Thangal’s statement, SMF plans to issue a circular to mosques asking them to abstain from the use of plastic. “SMF and Muslim leadership are aware of the cause. We are looking to issue a circular which includes a guideline on how the green protocol should be followed,” SMF functionary P K Latheef Faizy told Twocircles.net.

As per the plan, each mosque will asked to use more eco-friendly alternatives to plastic.

Ahead of Ramadan, Muslim strongholds such as Malappuram, Ponnani and Kozhikode hosted meetings of mosque functionaries and local administration authorities in a bid to ensure zero-plastic Iftars. In Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital, a joint meeting of various organizations decided to make Iftars plastic free.

In Malappuram, district collector Amit Meena addressed Muslims at Masjidul Fathu after Friday prayers on June 2 and requested the public and mosque committees to follow green protocol and maximum minimize use of plastic during Iftar. Starting with the Islamic salutation Assalamu Alaikum, the collector said, “Ramadan fasting should ensure cleaning of one’s mind and premises.”

SMF has decided to launch state, district and village-level campaigns to increase public awareness on this issue.

“It’s high time we think about such reformative steps. It may bring very little effect this year. But, today’s steps will have strong and far reaching effect,” said Latheef Faizy.

Meanwhile, Youth League leader Panakkad Syed Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal said the plan could be easily executed by using organizational network. “Each group has a strong network in the district. The leadership can easily convey this message up to the local level and ensure all mosques and institutions are following the green protocol,” he added.

Ramadan began on May 26 this year and will end on June 24.

(Source: twocircles.net on June 5, 2017)