Over 100 Hindu inmates of prisons in Delhi join Muslims in observing roza

Over 100 Hindu inmates of prisons in Delhi are observing roza, the dawn-to-dusk fast during Ramzan, along with Muslim prisoners.

In a statement, the Tihar prison administration said out of 16,665 inmates lodged in 16 central jails of Delhi prisons, 2,658 prisoners are observing rozas. Out of these 2,658 inmates, 110 are Hindus. There are 31 Hindu women inmates and 12 Hindu adolescent inmates observing the fast during the holy month of Ramzan, the statement read.

According to prison authorities, langar timings have been modified to ensure availability of prescribed meals for sehri and other prayers. “Inmate canteens have been stocked with Rooh Afza, dates and fresh fruits which can be purchased by the inmates. Arrangements for roza iftar have been made in all central jails,” the authorities said.

Religious and charitable organisations have been permitted to make visits to conduct prayers and roza iftar with inmates, subject to usual security precautions, they said. Delhi prisons comprise three jails — Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli. The Ramzan fast begins with a pre-dawn meal called sehri to prepare hungry stomachs for the long day ahead.

A typical suhoor often includes bread, vegetables, fruits, yogurt, tea, as well as lentils and beans. At sunset, when its time to mark the end of the daylong fast, families and friends gather for an evening meal known as iftar. Muslims typically break their fast as the Prophet Muhammad did some 1,400 years ago, by eating sweet dates and drinking water, followed by a sunset prayer.