Religiosity is not just about faith; it also encompasses history, culture, and identity. These elements mingle to form traditions that are passed down through generations. As a result, while festivals and religious observances follow uniform practices, they often remain unique to each family, reflecting their specific customs and heritage.
Speaking of Ramadan in their family, members of the Ali clan of Bhopal say that four generations ago, their forebear Syed Asad Ali laid down a strict code of adherence that has been carried forward by his descendants with remarkable dedication. Syed Ashfaq Ali, a prominent educationist and former principal of Saifia College was known for his steadfast observance of roza, a practice that his wife, Shehzada Begum, also upheld with great devotion. Growing up in this devout atmosphere, their children, including Syed Tahir Ali, began observing roza from the age of ten. Today, the tradition remains alive and strong, continuing uninterrupted across generations.
Syed Tahir Ali, who has observed roza for the past 61 years, recounts how this commitment became an integral part of his life. He recalls being inspired by the environment at home and starting his journey of roza at the age of ten. Despite the passage of time and changing life circumstances, his dedication to this practice never wavered. Even during his tenure in government service, Tahir Ali was fortunate to have colleagues who respected his faith and extended their support during Ramadan.
When the daughters-in-law of the Ali family joined the household, they seamlessly embraced this tradition. Shakira Asif, Nighat Nasir, and Ruby Tahir not only maintained this practice but also instilled the same values in their children. Following in the footsteps of their elders, the younger generation began observing roza at a young age, further strengthening this cherished tradition.
Syed Tahir Ali’s son, Syed Asim Ali, continued this legacy with equal dedication, beginning his journey of roza at the age of nine. His wife, Asma Ali, who hails from a cultured family in Lucknow, has also upheld this tradition with sincerity. She has instilled these values in their children, ensuring that the family’s spiritual discipline continues unbroken. Their daughter, Amana Ali, a 9-year-old class three student, observed her first roza this Ramadan and has already kept four roza with great devotion. Tahir Ali proudly shares how his 4-year-old grandson, Syed Anis Ali, lovingly cared for his sister during her roza, reflecting the nurturing values passed down through generations.
The tradition of roza remains deeply rooted in the Ali family. Tahir Ali’s siblings and their children also began observing roza at an early age, maintaining the family’s commitment to this spiritual practice. Today, his granddaughter, Amana Ali, continues this cherished tradition with the same enthusiasm and devotion. Seeing the younger generation embrace these values fills the family with pride and strengthens their resolve to keep this legacy alive for future generations.
For the Ali family, Ramadan is not merely a religious obligation but a spiritual journey that fosters discipline, empathy, and self-control. Syed Tahir Ali reflects on how roza has become an inseparable part of his identity over the past 61 years. Throughout this journey, he has always experienced mutual respect and understanding from his non-Muslim friends and colleagues, further reinforcing the values of harmony and coexistence that he holds dear.
Today, as his granddaughter Amana Ali observes roza with dedication and his grandson, Syed Anis Ali, expresses his love and care by supporting his sister, the Ali family’s unwavering commitment to this practice ensures that the essence of Ramadan is kept alive.
Just as the Ali family’s dedication to roza is passed down through generations, so too are many other practices that define the essence of family, faith, and identity in this historic city. These traditions, though varied, are united in their role in preserving the cultural fabric of Bhopal.
