We all thought we had stamped out the scourge. But it’s now back with a bang. Till recently, everyone spoke against untouchability, but today everyone is practicing it—rather encouraging it. The world is on the edge. And the buzzword is social distancing.A chill ran down my spine the other day when a man stepped into the lift as its door was closing. I moved as far away as I could in the narrow confines of the elevator, turning my back on the guy.

No, he was not a mugger, but a well-dressed guy sneezing under the mask. After what seemed an eternity the lift finally reached the third floor. As the door slid open I stepped out gingerly and exhaled the breath I didn’t realise I had held. There was dampness under my collar and I could hear my quickened heartbeat. Any other time I would have laughed at anyone displaying such cowardice, but these are scary times. Survival is up for grabs. With Covid-19 spreading its tentacles, no quarter is asked and none given.

Suddenly touch has become a taboo. You are not supposed to shake hands nor switch on a light with a finger lest you get the virus. These do’s and don’ts are nothing new to me and my wife. We are following these weird habits for quite some time. We are also used to regular washing of hands with soap much to the surprise of kith and kin. But now everyone is forced to follow it. Truth is, all this is part of good hygiene, but we had forgotten it.

The present crisis, I believe, is the result of our bidding adieu to morality and simplicity. No God no peace. Know God know peace. A thing we can’t even see with our eyes has brought mankind to its knees. All the bravado of superpower nations has evaporated in the face of the coronavirus. It feels like the end of the world with offices, schools, malls, restaurants and transport all shut down.

Perhaps there is a silver lining to this unprecedented lockdown. It has revived familial ties and our bond with God. It has made us learn all over again how to sneeze, yawn and cough. It is time we slow down, reflect and think. Time we go back to a simple lifestyle. Corona has a big ego. It doesn’t come to your house unless you go out and invite it. So stay put and give it a thumbs down.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The New Indian Express

Dated March 25,2020

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Mosques in Hyderabad continue to witness large number of worshippers even as Covid-19 has cast a pall of gloom elsewhere.

Most mosques in the city witness a good turn out during the congregational prayers five times a day. The rush is more especially during the Zuhr Namaz (afternoon prayers) and Maghrib Namaz (evening prayers). Of course, the maximum rush is seen during the Juma Namaz (Congregational prayers on Fridays).

So far no attempt has been made to restrict the assemblage in Masjids as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Neither the Masjid Committees nor the Imams, who lead the prayer, have asked the worshippers not to gather in large numbers or to offer Namaz at their homes. Many concerned citizens are of the view that curbs ought to be placed on congregational prayers temporarily as is being done in many Muslim countries.

There is a provision in Sharia to give up congregational prayers in times of emergencies. During the period of the Prophet of Islam when it rained heavily in Madinah, the people were told to offer Namaz at their homes instead of heading to the mosque. The mu’azzin during  ‘azan’ (call to prayer) deviated from the usual words to tell people to offer Namaz in their homes.

With the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, mosques in some Middle East countries including Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and UAE have revived this age-old practice asking people to say prayers at home. Video clips of the azan with the words ‘Assaltu fi buyutikum’ (pray at home) instead of ‘Hayya alas-salah’ (come for prayer) have gone viral.

“We should also follow the same and restrain people from coming to mosques for the time being. When the government has taken a proactive measure to shut down educational institutions, gyms, bars, and clubs why not stop Friday congregational prayers to safeguard people from the deadly virus?” asked  Mujtaba Hasan Askari of Helping Hand Foundation. “

However, there are few takers for this harsh measure. A large number of Muslims believe that the virtue of praying in big gatherings is immense. Those who run the risk of infection can keep away from mosques rather than stopping everyone from coming. But given the coronavirus pandemic, some feel, there is nothing wrong in observing restrain in the interest of safety.

As of now, Telangana is passing through Stage-2 of the epidemic but there is every possibility of community-level infection spreading if adequate steps are not taken. With Friday prayer just a day away will Ulema and religious leaders come forward to take a call on this matter and assist the government in checking the challenge posed by Covid-19?

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated March 19,2020

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Senior advocate Ghulam Yazdani has decided to change the way he ages rather than allowing age to change him

 Senior advocate Ghulam Yazdani with family members and friends on his 91st birthday.

Take it easy, slow down. Who has not heard this piece of advice offered to elderly persons? But this senior citizen would like to take it with a pinch of salt. Age is just a number and it sits lightly on him. At 91 he is fit as a fiddle. And he loves to lead such an active life that even a youngster would envy him.

Senior advocate Ghulam Yazdani has decided to change the way he ages rather than allowing age to change him. On Sunday, it was another day for him to feel younger inside as friends and well wishers made it a special occasion as they decided to celebrate his 91st birthday.

What is the secret of his good health? Physical activity, pat comes the reply. It is lesser activity that causes the body to grow old and not physical decline, explains Yazdani who is associated with a host of socio-cultural organisations. He has always led a healthy and active life. Come hail or thunderstorm one can find him walking briskly in the Public Garden at the crack of dawn. A strenuous workout later, he goes to the nearby Himayat swimming pool at Fateh Maidan to dive and splash around. “I believe in adding life to years and not the other way round”, he says proudly showing off the medals he has won at the swimming competitions.

No competitors

For the last three years he has bagged the first prize in backstroke and freestyle swimming championships organised by the Sports Authority of Telangana State (SATS). In fact, there is none to take on Yazdani in the 90 plus age group category.

Among the aerobic exercises swimming is considered best, particularly for the elderly, as it results in coordinated movement of both upper and lower extremities. Yazdani has been swimming from age 10. But he has made it a regular habit for the last two decades at Nizam Club and Fateh Maidan. As chairman of Public Garden Walkers’ Association, he has also been walking regularly and organising health lectures on the first Sunday of every month since 1995. This senior citizen is also a ready wit. His book, ‘Hyderabad – Down the Memory Lane’, makes an interesting read. A multifaceted personality, Yazdani is a good shot too and also goes fishing off and on.

If you are a nonagenarian do you celebrate or keep quiet? Yazdani had no choice in the matter — Jai Prakash Singh of Sujatha group of educational institutions hosted an event which was attended by people from different walks of life. Prof. Anand Raj Verma, Saleem Basha and others recounted the secret of Yazdani’s never-say-die-spirit. Well known mimicry artiste Dault Ram, regaled everyone with his wisecracks. Yazdani continues to touch lives around him. For him, age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated March 18,2020

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