As the time for iftar approaches, the line of people grows longer. Among them are beggars, shoppers from the local market, small traders, orphaned children, and destitute women. Each person receives a packet of vegetable khichuri to break their fast. This is not a one-day occurrence—it continues throughout the entire month of Ramadan.
For the past two years, free iftar meals have been distributed every day during Ramadan in front of the Ishwarganj Municipal Market Traders’ Association office in Mymensingh. The initiative is led by AKM Harun Or Rashid, who personally arranges iftar for around 1,000 to 1,200 people daily. He says feeding others during Ramadan brings him immense joy. Harun Or Rashid serves as the president of the Ishwarganj Municipal Market Traders’ Association. He began distributing iftar among the public last year. In addition to offering free meals, he has also taken steps to sell eggs at subsidized prices.
Last Friday, from after the Asr prayer until just before iftar, Harun Or Rashid was seen overseeing the distribution at the market. People of all ages—from children to the elderly—stood patiently in line. However, women and persons with disabilities were not required to queue. Volunteers, mostly young men, helped pack vegetable khichuri from large pots into individual packets and hand them out.
The distribution takes place in front of the traders’ association office at the Ishwarganj market. A photograph taken on February 27 captured the scene of people receiving iftar there.
Mohammad Ali, a resident of Sabehnagar village under Sohagi Union, walks with the help of crutches and survives by begging in the market. After collecting money throughout the day while fasting, he joined the line on Friday to receive iftar. He said he was grateful for the free meal, adding that otherwise he would have had to spend his limited earnings to buy food.
Abu Bakkar from Chatti village had come to the market for shopping and also collected a free iftar meal before sunset. He described the initiative as a commendable effort that greatly benefits people, noting that such compassionate acts are rare in today’s society.
Speaking about the initiative, Harun Or Rashid explained that he started the program last year during Ramadan, but this year he expanded it to serve up to 1,200 people daily. He said many ordinary people, travelers, and underprivileged individuals cannot afford a proper iftar, so he decided to help from his own capacity. His goal, he added, is to strengthen social harmony and inspire others to participate in good deeds.
He further mentioned that he has been organizing iftar gatherings for 20 to 25 years, previously hosting more than a hundred people at a time. While he began distributing meals publicly two years ago, this year’s arrangement is on a much larger scale.
Former Ishwarganj municipal councilor Tofazzal Hossain said he has observed this initiative for the past year. He noted that many shopkeepers in the market cannot leave their businesses to arrange iftar themselves, so they collect meals from this distribution point. He expressed hope that similar initiatives would spread to other areas of Ishwarganj.
