Admit it, we have all been there! As the calendar flips to Eid celebrations, there's one thought that crosses our minds: ‘Do I have a Muslim friend whose house I can visit for a generous helping of spicy, flavourful biryani and yummy Sheer Khurma?’
As Goa's Muslim community celebrates the festival of Eid, Gomantak Times Digital spoke to people across Goa to learn more about how food brings families together.
ALL DAY BIRYANI
Shabnaz Sheikh, from Fatorda, has been in the kitchen since morning, with family members helping her cook some interesting dishes.
“We have two types of biryani — chicken and beef. The latter is for the family and some Christian friends who will dine with us. The chicken biryani is for our Hindu neighbours, who avoid beef,” says Shabnaz.
Food is a connection that binds people of all age groups and religions. Being away from home has still connected me with the home I am in now, through food.
Mohammad Abdul, Margao
The flavourful aroma of biryani is nothing short of mouth-watering and tempting, and Reshma Naik, from Vasco, has been contacting all her Muslim friends since morning.
“I've got invitations from four families to enjoy the biryani. So now, I have to decide which family I should visit for lunch and which one for dinner. And then, which family I should visit for Sheer Khurma,” says Reshma. “We are a group of four friends and we will be planning where to visit.”
NEIGHBOUR’S DELIGHT
If you have Muslim neighbours, you don’t have to cook today! Why? You’ll receive biryani, for sure. Biting into a homemade biryani is jannat (heaven), says Mohammad Abdul, who works in Margao.
“I’m from Karnataka, and I just returned from my home town. So, applying for leave again for Eid is not possible. But, I have some Muslim neighbours, who have sent me a lot of biryani, kebabs and Sheer Khurma," he says.
"Food is a connection that binds people of all age groups and religions. Being away from home has still connected me with the home I am in now, through food,” he adds.
Meanwhile, the Fernandes’ family in Vasco is lucky as they always get quite a generous amount of beef biryani and kebabs every Eid.
“My son has a lot of Muslim friends, and every Eid, we get so much biryani, that we have to distribute some of it to my daughter’s family and my sister. Sometimes, we have a biryani party at home to make sure nothing gets wasted!” laughs Peter.
And so, festival time in Goa goes beyond a family celebration, and serves as a unifying force that brings communities together through shared meals and a spirit of harmony.
