In Southern India, The Spirit Of Ramadan Is Served In A Bowl Of Porridge
To break the fast at sunset, mosques distribute nombu kanji, a lightly spiced rice and lentil porridge, to worshipers and the poor. The meal epitomizes the Muslim holy month's spirit of giving.
As I hurry home battling the rush hour traffic in the evening, I see a queue in front of the gates of the local mosque. Men in white skull caps, women clad in saris and burkas, young children with school bags on their backs — all are waiting with containers in their hands for a share of the nombu kanji. Mosques in the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala distribute the kanji, a lightly spiced rice and lentil porridge, before the sunset prayers during the fasting month of Ramadan, which starts Friday evening.
During her pre-Ramadan shopping, Shahida. She distributes the additional provisions among four women who work for her.
