the goan I network
PANAJI
For most people, Monday may have been the first of two public holidays which extended their weekend, but the Bakri Eid holiday was very special for some families where couples are in mixed marriages and one of the partners is Muslim. Take Snehal Raikar from Cortalim. Married to Sarfraz Khan, the festival has come to mean a lot because it is she who cooks the feast meal for everyone in their household.
“Eid is that time of the year when we eat delicious non-veg food. I am a Hindu, my husband is a Muslim. We respect each other’s religions while practicing our own. Imagine being a Hindu and learning to perfect the legendary sheerkurma and biryani. At first it made me anxious, as much as I used to be for my math exam,” Snehal laughs.
For the Sheerkurma, she says, she decided to include a few elements from each of the videos she watched on youtube and prepared her own version because every one of the videos had a disclaimer which said each home had its own recipe.
Friends who visited Snehal and Sarfraz on Monday had a million questions for them from how she browned the onions to if they would be celebrating all festivals from both the religions. Of course they do, with the same enthusiasm, love and food.
Meanwhile, Sonia Lima Pereira, from Fatorda who is married to Tauseef Sayed, said, the best part about hosting relatives on Eid is to share not only great food, but the togetherness of the celebration.
“When we come together, we learn about the cultural and religious practices and help break stereotypes and misconceptions,” Sonia told “The Goan., adding, “Together we laugh and talk and our bonds get stronger. I love hosting my family as it gives us an excuse to see each other and for them to get closer to my husband’s family. Tauseef’s parents are fantastic hosts and always welcoming. And, biryani can put anyone in a good mood,” she adds.
