The norms of the Mawaid are an expression of Dawoodi Bohra culture and heritage. "A family that eats together stays together" this wisdom has been sewn into the eating habits of Dawoodi Bohras and extended not only to the immediate family but to the larger family - i.e. the community. A Thaal or a large serving dish has a capacity of 8 people to eat together ensuring group interaction and a familiar environment.  A close monitoring of the students is an integral part of the curriculum and this benefits Mawad in setting their menu, disbursing food and recycling leftovers.

Food, as a connoisseur would attest, is not only about what you eat, it is about how it is made, served and consumed. To the Dawoodi Bohra, food at Al Jamea, at a social gathering or even at home, is all about the right kind of food, cooked in a particular manner, served in a traditional way and eaten in a particular way.

Beginning with the name of Allah and ending by thanking Him, a daily practice which emphasizes the magnanimity of the Almighty.

Washing hands before and after the meals using a chilamchi lota traditional basin) is a mandatory age-old tradition. The fact that the people at the thaal assist each other for using the chilamchi lota underlines the values of equality and dignity of labor.

Tasting of salt before and after the consumption of food is a custom which present day scientists suggests helps to cleanse the body of germs.

Respect for the elders is shown by the fact that the eldest on the thaal starts the consumption of food and divides the bread. In a Dawoodi Bohra thaal, the food is divided into multiple courses that start with a sweet course and alternate with savory dishes followed by the main courses of bread and rice with compliments. The meal ends with fresh fruits. Recent studies have shown that this tradition, which has been followed for generation, has a scientific theory to it, the consumption of food in alternation of sweet and savory and ending with fruits assists in digestion of the food, something our forefathers knew well in advance and passed on to us.

In a community dinner or at home, the food is served by the members of the family or the community. Equality is again reflected in this simple tradition of the Dawoodi Bohra where feeding people is considered as a great sign of humility and cuts across economic and social strata.