The ICCB Puran Dhaka Iftar Bazar at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital saw a significant turnout of devout Muslims and a notable surge in sales, broadening smiles of eateries on Friday, a weekly holiday.

Since the door of the venue opened for all at 3pm, people from different walks of life started thronging the Pushpanjali Hall of the ICCB to buy shahi iftar items which continued until just before the iftar time.

During a visit to the capital’s most hygienic iftar market on Friday afternoon, this correspondent observed that all 28 stalls from 15 catering houses were bustling with fasting individuals seeking their desired items, while salespersons struggled to keep up with their demands.

Iftar buyers were primarily interested in purchasing items such as Kachchi Biryani, Mutton Leg Roast, Chicken Masallam, Reshmi Kebab, Jali Kebab, and Chaslik, among others. Additionally, they indulged in Tanduri, Chicken BBQ, Mutton and Beef Haleem, Luchi, Porata, Ghugni Chat, Vegetable Lollipop, Chicken Lollipop, Momo, Cutlet, Kima Chop, Pudding, Jarda, Lobongo Lotika, Rosh Malai, Reshmi Jilapi, Tiler Jilapi, Borhani, Labang, and various fruit juices.

Traditional items like Chhola Bhuna, Piyaju, Beguni, Vegetable Ball, Egg Chop and Alur Chop were also sold in good amount, said the stall authorities.

“We have been serving a good number of customers every day since the beginning of Ramadan. Their appearance increases on the holidays. Therefore, we brought extra foods today. Yet many of our iftar items, including firni, cream caramel pudding, patishapta pitha, Haleem and Reshmi Jilapi, were finished by 4:30pm,” proprietor of Nazila’s Kitchen and Catering Arfina Akter told the Daily Sun.

According to her, sales of their iftar items have surpassed expectations. She hoped that the trend of good sale and increasing participation of foodies will continue in rest of the Ramadan days.

All the renowned catering houses and restaurants, including ICCB Heritage Restaurant, Master Chef Subrat Ali Catering, Jasim Uddin Catering, Nazila’s Kitchen and Catering, Premier Catering, Foodu Goodu, River Island Food, Happy Lounge and Roshui Ghor, are taking part in the Iftar Bazar.

Participation of so many quality eateries under the same roof and preparation of foods maintaining hygiene and presentation of those at a clean air-conditioned hall were enough to attract food lovers there.

Moazzem Hossain, an iftar buyer from Lichubagan area, said, “ICCB Puran Dhaka Iftar Bazar has brought a big relief for my family. I am fully satisfied with their quality of food and presentation of those in a pleasant environment.”

The ICCB Puran Dhaka Iftar Bazar starts from 3pm every day.  The arrangement will continue till 25th of Ramadan, said the organisers.