It’s Ramadan time where Muslims all across the world observe fast from dawn to dusk in the holy month. The fast starts after having sehri (is the meal consumed early in the morning by Muslims before fasting, before dawn during or outside the Islamic month of Ramadan), and breaks with iftar (Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims in Ramadan at the time of adhan of the Maghrib prayer. This is their second meal of the day ) after sunset.
Iftar includes a diverse array of tasty dishes and signifies the breaking of the fast, traditionally initiated by consuming dates (Khajoor).
But in Ramadan, the variety doesn’t end with dry fruits, biryanis, etc. Recently, there was a stampede for Haleem distribution that is one of the famous snacks in Hyderabad.
On Tuesday, the Hyderabad Police had to employ baton charges to disperse a disorderly crowd gathered at a restaurant in Malakpet, eager to receive complimentary haleem. As reported by the news agency ANI, the restaurant ‘Aazebo’ was newly inaugurated in the Malakpet area of the city, and its management had opted to offer haleem free of charge to the public.
#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: Hundreds of people gathered outside the Azebo Hotel in Malakpet after the restaurant announced free Haleem on the occasion of the first day of Ramzan. The hotel management was unable to control the crowd, and later the police had to disperse the… pic.twitter.com/Q5bFOmn9WO
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2024
What is Haleem?
Haleem, a delectable slow-cooked dish, is a flavorful stew crafted from a medley of lentils, meat, wheat, and an assortment of spices. Cooked in clarified butter (ghee), it simmers on low heat for hours until it transforms into a rich, thick paste.
Originally of Arabic origin, Haleem was brought to Hyderabad by the Arab diaspora during the reign of the Nizams.
Upon discovering the offering of complimentary haleem, a sizable crowd assembled outside the restaurant, resulting in a chaotic and potentially hazardous situation akin to a stampede. The restaurant management contacted the police as the situation escalated beyond their control, resulting in a significant traffic congestion in the vicinity.
