When night turns day in the Old City of Hyderabad, one can be sure that it’s Ramzan! With less than ten days to go for Id-ul-Fitr, piety has picked up pace. Those Muslims who’ve missed out on the taraveeh prayers (special namaz following the last night prayer, Ishaa) during the first 20 days are devoting the last ten days exclusively for the purpose while a few others are banking on Ek-Shab Shabina (one-night-long prayer) and Se-Shab Shabina (three-night prayers) at various mosques and public places, apart from awaiting Shab-e-Qadr, the night of power.

SHOPPERS’ PARADISE: While the stretch from the Charminar to the Madina Building circle has literally transformed into a pedestrian zone (perhaps authorities of the now-outdated Charminar Pedestrianisation Project can take a cue from this), chock-a-block with vendors showcasing colourful assortment of festive ware, shoppers and a few motorists struggling to find their way out of the crowd, eating joints are leaving no stone unturned to attract customers by the hordes.

HALEEM REPLACES BIRYANI: With biryani almost taking the backseat in Ramzan as it is time for the delicious and nutritious haleem (made from pounded wheat, meat, lentils, pure ghee and spices – there’s also a pure vegetarian variant) to take centre-stage, Hyderabadi restaurants selling the lip-smacking dish are engaged in a game of one-upmanship in order to sell the maximum number of deghs of haleem.

It was Pista House which made haleem-eating contest (to judge who could gobble up the largest quantity in the shortest time) an annual affair by starting the trend four to five years ago. But, even before Pista House could stage its show this Ramzan, its competitor Shah Ghouse Café of Syed Ali Chabutra, managed to steal the limelight by organising a novel haleem-feeding contest, Haleem Khilanay Mein King Kaun, the other day. The contest involved two-member teams vying with each other in feeding the largest quantity of haleem to one’s partner in the shortest duration.

Lending star appeal to the show were Hyderabadi actors Aziz Naser (Jahangir of the Hyderabadi comedy flick The Angrez fame) and Adnan Saajid (Gullu Dada of Fun ‘n’ Masti fame) who enthusiastically judged the exciting event and also used the occasion to garner free publicity for their forthcoming flick Thriller - The Movie. It’ll be interesting to note what Pista House would be doing now to counter Shah Ghouse’s claim to fame!

PRIME TIME FOR IFTAR PARTIES: It’s also prime time now for Iftar parties – both well-intentioned and political. While major political parties like the Telugu Desam and megastar Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam have already held their Iftar parties, the Governor’s and the Chief Minister’s Iftar’s parties are expected to be organised soon.

ZAKAAT, THE ANNUAL CHARITY: Among the most endearing aspects of Ramzan is the act of giving charity to the less fortunate. Well-to-do Muslims don’t miss a single day to indulge in this humanitarian obligation as each adult sets aside 2.5% of his/her wealth for the poor. Every Muslim knows that zakaat, if given for purposes other than stipulated, loses its validity. Which is why, everyone is careful in giving out zakaat only to the needy and the deserving.

P.S: Those who have never been to the Charminar during the last three days of Ramzan must plan a visit to witness the bonhomie between shopkeepers and customers of different faiths. Also, if they want to strike the best shopping bargains for the forthcoming Dasara festival, they can blindly head towards the place. Then, they are sure to declare – Hyderabad, Zindabad!