Fast lanes and fatal fates in Hyderabad’s streets
The night of January 28 shimmered with devotion and festivity as the Muslim community in Hyderabad gathered to observe Shab-e-Miraj, the first sacred night of worship before Ramzan. At Bahadurpura crossroads in Old City, the rich aroma of biryani curled through the air, wafting from ‘AK Caterers & Cooking Services’ where Mohammed Ilyas battled the chaos of a bustling kitchen. The day had been relentless — orders piled up, customers crowded in, and the rhythmic clatter of pots echoed through his busy office.Outside, his only son, 10-year-old Mohammed Ahmed, roamed the neighbourhood with his closest friends — 15-year-old Maaz and 17-year-old Syed Imran. Their laughter rippled through the evening air, carefree and unguarded. As the call to prayer echoed through the alleys around dusk, the...