My Iftar - 2006

Iftar 2006

AA,

Last Saturday marked the continuation of a three-year Ramadhan tradition: an iftar shindig at my crib.

As always, Alhamdullilah, my momz did it real big by cooking a great feast. I still think that the iftari she makes is sufficient enough as the meal itself. The food also seemed to be a big hit with the guests of honor.

So...This year a lot of my time was spent on my cell. It seemed as though most people were nervous about venturing deep into Plainfield and so they kept calling to confirm directions. Badie called me up at one point when getting directions and said, "Sorry we're running late, but there was a hold-up with 'them' asking for my passport..." As you could imagine, that wasn't the first time I heard the "Passport to Plainfield" joke. When my man Sami settled in, he had the a picturesque deer in the headlights look: "It really feels as though I'm in another country" he said with all deliberate seriousness. Faisal Raja, who came from the city just so he could get in one of my Google Videos and NOT because he likes me, was the first of the guests. For Faisal, he was quite the tame Punjabi, which is quite odd. Often times he'd huddle up underneath his coat (seemingly in the fetal position, too). He, too, must've felt like he was in another world...

I think I lost track of the Plainfield jokes after joke # 331. But I can't blame my niggaz. The average travel time seemed to be around an hour. As Ali said to me later, "Man, you can say that these people really are friends, Imran, if they came all the way out here." Yes, that's true, but what I was more concerned about here was the fact that Ali also acknowledged that we live in Bufu, Illinois. Punk!

Anyway, despite everyone's supposed long trek, we had a great time, mashaAllah. The yearly Aladdin-Imran Depantsed and Baseball Bat story was of course told. Arabs vs Desis jokes were made. And, most importantly, boo-ing Fahad Siddiqui after every joke (or was it every thing he said). But the best way to tell what the 2pac Iftar 2006 is via pictures, so enjoy:

Eveyone was too busy eating to care about the pics. Except Fahad. Go figure, eh?

Meraj looking like a white dude drinking a nice cold one. Badie thinking that Fahad is his desi slave (throw this away, desi). Fahad never happier. Aladdin...WTF? What kind of pose is that to have during this month?! Hot, nonetheless.

Omar "Riyality" being himself. Mike, Hani, and Sami looking on passively (realizing that Omar was the star of this pic).

Faisal, A-Moose, Nomair. Why when all us DePaul brothers are together must we always be touching each other [see Nomair's hand]?

Omar, Me, Tariq. Okay, so I'm not an exception to the previous statement. It's brotherly love. [Thanks to Ali for ruining the pic -- one day, you'll learn the art of pressing the button on a camera, my brother.]

Sami Haque. Looks good, drinks chai like it's a 40, and XBOXs. Sami "Renaissance Man" Haque. Oh, and Harris Lakhani in the background giving his ceremonial peace sign. Love the socks, man.

Tariq: In a state of mast. Me: Trying to get Tariq to wake up and representin my team. Asghar: Looking hot. Baseer: What the hell are you smiling at?

Nomair, Me, and Farooq. Much love.

Well, there you have it, folks. Good times. Good food. Good people. Alhamdullilah. I hope that the baraqa from the night goes to my mom and my brothers inshaAllah.

Attendees included: Aladdin (3 years running), Badie Ali (2nd year), Meraj (1st), Eyad Alwawi (1), Omar Riyal(-ity) (1), Harris (3), Fahad (3), Tariq (3), Nomair (1), Faisal (1), Asghar (1), Sami (2), Hani (1), Mike (3), Omar (1), A-Moose (1), Farooq (2), and Baseer (1).

Notable Non-attendees included: AJ, Taha, and AH. For AJ, the reason he didn't come was because of something called itikhaf. For Taha and AH, it was something called family. Shady bunch, huh?

Until next year, inshaAllah...!