Hyderabad: The holy month of Ramzan begins on Monday with the sighting of the crescent moon in various parts of the country on Sunday. The State government has permitted hotels and shops to remain open throughout the night during Ramzan. “We are giving special permissions to hoteliers for the convenience of people who are fasting during Ramzan,” information minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir said. The State has also issued orders for supply of uninterrupted power during the month. Special night prayers (Taraveeh) have started in all mosques

Haleem cooks its way to Saudi

The city’s special Ramzan delicacy, Haleem, has gained such popularity abroad that now local chefs are being courted by hoteliers in Saudi Arabia to fly to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and prepare it for Umrah pilgrims there. According to sources, the cooks have gone on Umrah visas and after performing the pilgrimage, have joined the restaurants there.

Encouraged by haleem’s popularity city hotels like Badaam, Shahi, Shadaab and Pista House have also tied up with courier companies to sell haleem packets in the Middle East. Some of them have also sent their own cooks to the holy cities. “About a dozen local cooks are stationed in Mecca, Medina and Jeddah,” said M.A. Majeed of Pista House, which has popularised the Hyderabadi haleem all over the country through its postal and courier networks.

“That Hyderabadi haleem is very popular among Arabs. Even pilgrims from Indonesia and Malaysia are seen queuing up to get a taste of the dish,” Muhammad Umar Adil of Shadaab Hotel told this correspondent. “Barring mutton and wheat, which are procured locally, all other spices are imported from Hyderabad,” Mr Majeed said.

Since the beginning of Ramzan on Saturday in Saudi Arabia (the holy month begins in India on Monday), scores of haleem packets have been dispatched to Mecca and Medina. The Hyderabadi haleem was such a hit on the first two days and city hotels are flooded with more orders now. This is the first time that Hyderabadi haleem is being sold outside the country. During the last few years, Hyderabadi haleem has been in high demand among VVIPS and film stars in Mumbai. Haleem is prepared in the morning and it is packed in special sachets to keep it hot. It is then delivered well before Iftar in Jeddah, Mecca and Medina.

Haleem traces its origins back to the Arab world. The recipe was taken to Iran and from there it came to Hyderabad. However, today haleem is unique to Hyderabad although its variant, harees, is still made in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and other Muslim countries. A small plate of haleem is sold for 5 Saudi Riyals while a big plate costs 10 Riyals. A family pack of haleem is sold for 25 Riyals.

Share This