Tag: Fasting

  • A Hindu woman’s journey of fasting in Ramazan

    A Hindu woman’s journey of fasting in Ramazan

    Fasting has been a practice in many cultures and religions for a long time. Now when people think of fasting, they often think of Islam and Muslims more than anything else.

    Neelam Gokulsing, who isn’t Muslim and is from Mauritius, lives in Dubai, UAE. She started fasting during Ramadan in 2021 when she was in Malaysia, to support her Muslim friends.

    “I have many Muslim friends in Malaysia, and we ate before dawn and after sunset together. It was about standing together and understanding their culture even though I’m Hindu,” said Neelam, who is 26-years-old and works at a fintech company. She moved to Dubai two years ago.

    Even after moving to the Muslim-majority Gulf nation, Neelam kept fasting during Ramadan to be like the people around her. At first, it was about supporting others, but it turned into a journey of learning more about herself.

    “Fasting isn’t just about not eating. It’s about connecting spiritually and learning new things about yourself. It’s like working together with yourself to discover your values,” she explained.

    Following a fasting routine while managing daily life has taught Neelam a lot about herself.

    Now, Neelam wants to learn Arabic to become even more a part of UAE’s culture and society. She’s excited about what the future holds.

  • PIA instructs pilots and cabin crew not to fast while flying

    PIA instructs pilots and cabin crew not to fast while flying

    A new advisory issued by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has instructed pilots and the cabin crew to not observe fast in the month of Ramzan during flights, reports The Express Tribune.

    The directive issued by the manager of the flight safety department at PIA outlined guidelines regarding fasting during the flights.

    It said that fasting can potentially decrease alertness and impair decision-making abilities, which could lead to serious consequences in the emergencies. It also said that even though it is technically feasible, this may reduce the margin of safety, as per corporate safety management and the aircrew medical center’s advice.

    The official circular emphasised that although fasting is a highly important practice in Islam, it disrupts the normal routine and can lead to dehydration, a drop in glucose level, and other physiological changes.

    The directive clearly instructed all fasting cockpit and cabin crew members to abstain from operating flights, highlighting that self-exemptions cannot be claimed even under state law. It emphasised compliance with rules and regulations to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

  • Babar Azam and Shadab Khan caught being themselves

    Babar Azam and Shadab Khan caught being themselves

    Babar Azam, the Men in Green’s all-format captain, and Shadab Khan, the white-ball vice-captain, have demonstrated their leadership talents on the cricket field, they have also demonstrated their humanitarian abilities by distributing food items for Iftar to unprivileged people on the streets of Lahore.

    Following the distribution of Iftar, both cricket stars spoke to the media. Babar and Shadab were both in good spirits as they joked around with the press. Fans praised the duo’s generous gesture as the video of them serving food to the needy went viral on social media.

    Babar joked that journalists should refrain from asking any cricket-related inquiries.

    https://twitter.com/stzarak/status/1512166793367879693?t=UGki58_mcV3eIulRTomYlg&s=08

    After a busy home season that featured the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Australia’s historic trip to the country, Pakistan’s national team players got some well-deserved respite.

    The Green Shirts’ next international assignment will be versus the West Indies in June 2022, when they visit Pakistan for a three-match One-Day International series.

  • PIA prohibits pilots and cabin crew from fasting during Ramzan

    PIA prohibits pilots and cabin crew from fasting during Ramzan

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has prohibited its pilots and cabin staff members from fasting during the holy month of Ramzan.

    As per a recent safety notice released by the national flag carrier, fasting is one of the key factors behind diminished human performance.

    The decision is part of the PIA’s in-flight safety measures, which were recently announced by Aamir Bashir, the PIA’s General Manager (GM) of Flight Services.

    In order to meet the physical and psychological demands of flying, a healthy diet is crucial for pilots. Human errors that result in plane crashes can be minimized by focusing on nutrition due to its strong connection with flying performance.

    On-duty pilots and flying crew members should consider several aspects such as tiredness, performance degradation, and refrain from fasting throughout Ramadan, keeping in view the safety of the innocent lives (passengers and other staff).

    In addition to this, the administration has also allowed pilots and cabin crew members to apply for leave who do not wish to give up fasting during the month of Ramadan.

    Read more: Man hacks airline’s website after he lost his baggage

    Lastly, it also noted that non-compliance with the directive could result in the suspension or cancellation of the flying crew’s licenses.

  • Ramzan likely to start on Sunday

    Ramzan likely to start on Sunday

    According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the Ramzan moon will be sighted on April 2 and the first Ramadan will be observed on April 3, 2022.

    The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will convene on April 2 (Saturday) to observe the Ramzan moon. Considering the scientific data, Pakistan will observe the first Ramadan on 3 April and Eid-ul-Fitr on 3 May, according to Secretary-General Khalid Ijaz Mufti.

    Earlier, he predicted that the new moon will be born at 11:24 AM on April 1, and the age of the moon will be at least 19 hours at the sunset of April 2 (29 Shaban).

    Ramzan timings for Banks and Educational Institutions

    After educational institutions and offices, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday issued updated public dealing timings for the banking sector for the holy month of Ramadan.

    Banks will operate Monday to Thursday from 10 AM-1:30 PM (without break). While the bank timing for Friday will be 10 AM-1 PM (without break).

    Read more: Ramzan Relief Package: Utility Stores Corp announces discount on 1,500 items at 4,000 outlets

    The educational institutions in Punjab that operate on a single shift will be open from 8 AM to 12 PM. While institutions that operate on double shifts will be open from 8 AM to 12 PM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

  • Ramzan Relief Package: Utility Stores Corp announces discount on 1,500 items at 4,000 outlets

    Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan (USC) will sell various food items at prices cheaper than the open market through its country-wide retail outlets as a part of its Ramzan Relief Package.

    The state-owned enterprise is offering discounted prices for 19 food items besides 1,500 total items that will be available at 4,000 stores throughout the holy month of Ramzan.

    Consumers will pay Rs950 for a 20-kilogram wheat flour bag under the package, instead of its original price of Rs1100-1350. Similarly, one kilogramme (kg) of sugar would be offered at Rs85 instead of Rs86-93. One kg of subsidized ghee costs Rs260 at USC, whereas edible ghee costs Rs470 on the open market.

    The price of one liter of cooking oil at USC is Rs407, while the open market is offering the same at Rs500.

    Likewise, one kg of daal channa costs Rs162 at USC, while it is being sold at Rs180-190 on the open market. Similarly, a kg of dal moong (washed) costs Rs170, and the open market sells it for Rs180-200 per kg. Washed daal mash costs Rs268 at USC, as compared to its price of Rs280-320 on the open market.

    Furthermore, one kg of daal masoor costs Rs215 at USC, instead of Rs250-280 in the open market. Sella rice will cost Rs165 per kg, basmati rice Rs155 per kg, and tota rice Rs85 per kg.

    The dates will cost Rs140 per kg, whereas dates on the general market will continue selling for Rs200 and Rs240. The 950gm tea pack costs Rs1,042 at USC, in contrast to its price of Rs1,250 in the open market.

    Read more: FBR records 29.1% growth during July 2021 to March 2022

    Ultra-high temperature (UHT) or pasteurized milk at USC is offered at USC for Rs142, and costs Rs165 in the general market. Squashes are sold for Rs250 instead of Rs290, and squashes and syrups (1,500 ml) are available for Rs437, compared to the original price of Rs495 in the open market.

  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet approves Rs2.5 billion subsidy under Ramzan package

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet on March 29 okayed a subsidy package of Rs2.5 billion for the upcoming holy month of Ramzan, to ensure an uninterrupted supply of edible items at lesser rates.

    KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan presided over the meeting, which was attended by ministers, chief minister’s advisers, and administrative secretaries.

    Following the meeting, government spokesman Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif revealed that 2,800 points had been set up around the KP to sell 20kg bags of wheat flour for Rs800 instead of the customary Rs1100 during Ramzan, while 10kg bags would be sold for Rs400.

    During Ramzan, the cabinet also decided to set up 83 sasta bazaars, 123 Ramazan facilitation centers, 42 mobile utility stores, and 96 Ramzan dastarkhwans.

    All of these points will be supervised by monitoring units led by respective secretaries and deputy commissioners to prevent price hikes and shortages of vital commodities on the market.

  • ‘Don’t ask a sister why she’s not fasting,’ urges Mariyam Nafees

    ‘Don’t ask a sister why she’s not fasting,’ urges Mariyam Nafees

    Mariyam Nafees wants people to normalise not pretending to fast when you are not.

    “Brothers, don’t ask a sister why she’s not fasting,” wrote the actor on social media. “In fact, don’t ask anybody who’s not fasting why they’re not fasting.”

    Taking a dig at the moral bigrade, Nafees said: “Apne rozay pe dihaan do bhai. Ajeeb!”

    “Go offer your prayers instead,” she added. Nafees also used the hashtag ‘#RozayKeThaikedaar’ to assert her point.

    Earlier, Shaniera Akram had clapped back at those who asked her why she was not fasting and told them to “just chill out a little.”

  • VIDEO: David Warner, Kane Williamson observe Ramzan fast

    VIDEO: David Warner, Kane Williamson observe Ramzan fast

    David Warner and Kane Williamson observed the fast alongside Rashid Khan to celebrate the holy month of Ramzan during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). In a video posted by Khan, Warner can be heard saying that he is very hungry.

    Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) Australian captain Warner and New Zealand batsman Williamson kept a fast alongside Afghan team-mates Rashid, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman to observe the holy month of Ramzan.

    In a video shared by Rashid on his Instagram, he can be seen interacting with Williamson and Warner at what seems to be a restaurant where the cricketers may have gathered to break their fast.

    “Two legends were fasting with us today,” Rashid had captioned the Instagram Story.

    The 22-year-old can be heard asking Warner and Williamson about their fasting experience.

    “David, how is your fasting today?” Rashid Khan asked Warner in the video.

    “Good, but I am very thirsty and very hungry today. My mouth is so dry,” said Warner in response.

    Khan then turned the phone camera towards Williamson and asked him the same question.

    “Very good, thanks,” said Williamson, flashing a thumbs-up.

    “These two legends are observing the fast today. It is a pleasure to have them at the table,” said Rashid.

    The video went viral on social media and people couldn’t stop praising the two for expressing solidarity with their Muslim teammates.

    Sharing the video on Twitter, a former cricketer and journalist Isabelle Westbury revealed that Warner also celebrates Eid with his Australian teammate Fawad Ahmed.

    Westbury said that Ahmed “always cites him as a particularly understanding mate regarding cultural differences.”

    Read more – Afridi ‘sad to see’ South Africa release players for IPL amid Pakistan series

    The 2021 edition of IPL is currently ongoing with the matches taking place in Chennai and Mumbai.