Served at Iftar, this Ramzan delicacy has no religion

CHENNAI: While it is the Muslim who usually fasts during Ramzan, the holy month’s special offering, nonbu kanji, served at Iftar meals, is in great demand among non-Muslims who throng mosques in the evening for a bowl of the piping hot soupy dish. Those who run city mosques say nearly one-third of those who ask for nonbu kanji are non-Muslims.
Nonbu kanji is made of high-grade seeraga samba rice, finely-chopped mutton, moong dal and a masala prepared with ginger, garlic and spices, said Shaukar Ali, the cook who has been serving the dish for the last 27 years at Masjid Noor on ECR in Thiruvanmiyur.
“I take great pleasure in serving the non-Muslim guests. They come back every year. Most of them recognise me,” said Ali. About 500 people line up at Masjid Noor’s kitchen with jars at 4.30pm every day of Ramzan.
A regular visitor, 34-year old K Vanitha, said, “I have been visiting the mosque kitchen since my childhood. Now I take back nonbu kanji for my kids.”
While fasting women visit the kitchen to take the kanji back home, more than a thousand men gather at the mosque in the evening and eat it during Iftar.
Doctors say nonbu kanji is prepared to serve its purpose. General physician of Sterling Hospital in Nungambakkam Dr Jaffar Khan said it was a simple dish that can be easily digested. “The stomach secretes acids and gastric juices out of hunger during the day-long fast. The rice dish soothes the parched insides of the stomach and neutralises the acids. Being a soupy dish, kanji hydrates the vital organs and provides immediate energy in the form of carbohydrates.”
With Ramazan coinciding with the summer, Dr Khan said it was better to stay away from spicy and fried food on fasting days. “Dates, banana and milk just before sunrise will keep the body hydrated and prevent frequent thirst.”