Day 5 - Khatham - 8 Dec 2011

Today we went to what's called a khatham. The neighbors' mother/grandmother died 10 days ago, and this was a ceremony for her. Gulshan's mother and some other ladies - 10 in all - read through the Qur'an to ease the pain of the deceased in the grave. This is done 3 days and 10 days after a person die and then each Thursday for a month. We, Gulshan - her father and I - arrived at the home of the lady's family after the reading and prayers, as did several other people, just in time for a meal of kheer, haleem and mutton curry. Food is a very important part of the culture here. No matter what happens or who you see, you eat. No complaints here.