Tag: Top News

  • 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.

  • SRK, Salman trade jibes at Ambani bash as Aamir watches

    SRK, Salman trade jibes at Ambani bash as Aamir watches

    Billionaire Indian family Ambanis have thrown a huge party worth more than a thousand crores INR, to celebrate Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding ceremonies. Many important people from various fields around the world attended including Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Salman Khan, and Deepika Padukone.

    Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan delighted their fans by dancing together onstage. The videos were widely shared on social media, and now, the uncut version of their banter and their dance has been shared online.

    In one of the videos, Shah Rukh and Salman get into a fun argument about whose song they should dance on. Aamir then enters the debate and takes a dig on their argument, referring to the infamous fight they have had in the past. The trio calls Mukesh Ambani the “real don” but add that it is Nita Ambani who will select the song for them to dance on.

    In the video we also see Aamir suggesting that the three of them dance on his song ‘Papa Kehte Hai’ but SRK and Salman dismiss it. Shah Rukh wants ‘Besharam Rang’ to be played but Salman wants them to perform on ‘Hud Hud Dabangg’. The conversation stops after they realize that they are supposed to dance on ‘Naatu Naatu’.

    Watch the video:

  • Asma Abbas husband likes to flirt; here’s how she handles it

    Asma Abbas husband likes to flirt; here’s how she handles it

    Asma Abbas comes from one of the most talented families in Pakistan entertainment. But she made her own way to success by working hard. Recently, she was a guest on Wasi Shah’s show, where she talked openly about her life.
    Talking about her husband’s flirtatious nature, she said, “All men flirt a bit”. She knows her husband loves her and has his own boundaries so a bit of fun flirtation is okay and she does not mind it.

    She added, “I am okay with this as I am my husband’s second wife and I do not believe in suffocating my life partner.”
    She also talked about her relationship with her husband’s first wife. “I am thankful that my husband’s first wife accepted me and we lived together for 12 years with respect and camaraderie.” Her husband always maintained a balance and treated both wives fairly.

  • Renowned American singer converts to Islam

    Renowned American singer converts to Islam

    Famous American rapper and producer Lil Jon has recently embraced Islam during the holy month of Ramazan.

    According to international media reports, American rapper and producer Lil Jon accepted Islam in the King Fahd Mosque in Los Angeles, California, on March 15, just before the Friday prayers.

    A video of the American singer reciting the kalma is going viral on social media, where he can be seen reciting in both Arabic and English under the guidance of the mosque’s Imam.Lil Jon has been receiving congratulations from Muslims on social media for becoming a Muslim. He expressed his gratitude in a special post on Instagram, saying, “Alhamdulillah, I am thankful to all my brothers and sisters who sent me positive messages and expressed selfless love.”

    Born in June 1972 in Atlanta, Georgia, the singer’s real name is Jonathan H. Smith. He became famous in the early 2000s for his significant role in creating new genres of hip-hop music.

    After American author and social activist Sean King, Lil Jon is the second American celebrity to convert to Islam during the first week of Ramadan.

    @n_war967 Rapper Lil Jon took his Shahada and accepted Islam at King Fahad Mosque in LA #liljon #muslim #muslimummah #ramdan #ramdan2024 ♬ original sound – n_war967

  • Khawaja Sira community members attacked by mob in Karachi; No action taken yet

    Khawaja Sira community members attacked by mob in Karachi; No action taken yet

    The first-ever elected transgender member of the Karachi Municipal Council and transgender rights activist Shahzadi Rai took to X (former Twitter) and described an incidence of violence against her community members.

    Shahzadi wrote, “A mob attack occurred at Johar Mor. These individuals first beat members of my community, then threatened to kill us openly. Please help and kindly tag the police. @sindhpolicedmc8 @BBhuttoZardari @PPP_Org @AuratMarchKHI @TMItalks.”

    In the video she highlighted how police arrived quite late while she was constantly being threatened with being killed. In another video, she was trying to calm the mob, but nothing worked at that point. She has appealed to the Sindh police to take legal action against the hate crime and violence.

    Member of Awami Workers Party, Ammar Rashid, wrote, “Horrifying to see. There is a direct line from the anti-trans hate being spread by rightwing activists, youtubers & parties to such mobs. Your ‘gender activism’ hobby & moral panic clickbait leads to situations of life & death for others. And no surprise Sindh police is MIA.”

    Transgender Rights Activist Aradhiya Khan demanded strict action, “ Urgent Alert: Another mob attack at Johar Mor! Once again, our community is being targeted and hunted down. We’re facing threats of violence and need immediate intervention.
    @sindhpolicedmc8 , please step in to stop this cycle of terror. Lives are at stake! #StopViolence”

    Human Rights Activist Gulalai Ismail highlighted the consequences of online campaigns against transgender community, “This is terrifying and highly condemnable. The recent trans-hate politics of JI and likes of Maria B has intensified the existing threats to the lives of Pakistani khwajasira community. These hate mongers should be held accountable & brought to justice.”

    Aurat March Karachi also reacted to the situation and said, “This is outrageous and horrifying. Till when will the khawaja sira community and trans people be forced to live in fear of such gruesome violence? Why do these fanatical cis men feel emboldened enough to issue threats like these, that too so openly? We stand in solidarity with the trans community and reiterate our demand to immediately end the hate campaign & mob violence targeting them.”

    Lawyer Muneeb Qadir said, “’Taang pe taang rakh ke cheer doon ga’ was what Qaiser Raja had said about transgenders & while specifically naming Shahzadi Rai in that speech. Hate speech can have dangerous consequences as you can see from what happened in Johar Mor last night. Maria B, Mishi, this one’s on u”

  • General (retd) Faiz Hameed’s brother arrested in bribery case

    General (retd) Faiz Hameed’s brother arrested in bribery case

    Former spymaster Faiz Hameed’s brother Najaf Hameed was arrested after a Rawalpindi court rejected his plea on Monday in a bribery case.

    The anti-corruption authorities arrested Najaf Hameed and went to Chakwal as instructed by the court.

    It is pertinent to mention that Hameed secured protective bail from the court after he was booked in a bribery case.

    In April 2023, the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) initiated an investigation against Najaf Hameed for assets beyond means and out-of-turn promotion.

    The anti-graft body sent a letter to the deputy commissioner of Rawalpindi and the DC of Chakwal, asking them to provide the land ownership records of Najaf Hameed.

    On February 13, he was suspended from the post of Naib Tehsildar in Chakwal over alleged misconduct.

  • Faisal Vawda to join MQM-P?

    Faisal Vawda to join MQM-P?

    The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has expressed willingness to let former federal minister Faisal Vawda join the party before the Senate elections take place on April 2.

    “We had invited Vawda to join [MQM-P] in the past […] I pray that he joins the party’s ranks,” MQM-P leader Rauf Siddiqui said while speaking with journalists in Karachi.

    MQM-P head Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, who is also a candidate for senate polls, said that the party has fielded a total of eight candidates for the upper house.

    However, Faisal Vawda has confirmed that he is still an “independent” political leader.

    “I’m still independent,” Vawda said during a press conference in Karachi, adding that he would consider joining a political party when it’s in “season,”  as independent candidates are currently trending.

    Vawda expressed doubt about the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) securing power in Islamabad.

  • Corruption was rampant in PTI’s previous KP government,’ Sher Afzal Marwat

    Corruption was rampant in PTI’s previous KP government,’ Sher Afzal Marwat

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and lawmaker Sher Afzal Marwat made startling admissions regarding corruption within his party’s previous government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    Known for his outspoken demeanor and controversial statements, Marwat recently alleged on an X (former Twitter) space that corruption had reached unprecedented levels during the previous PTI government in KP, with individuals amassing not billions, but trillions through illicit means.

    Responding to a question, the PTI leader said that the narrative of keeping former prime minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail instead of his residence in Bani Gala was not floated by him.
    “Former KP chief minister Mahmood Khan earns Rs2.5 million daily from one of his mines now,” he added.

    Marwat’s remarks have once again thrust him into the limelight for his blunt and provocative statements. Just last week, he openly criticized his party’s decisions on alliances, attributing their electoral setbacks to two major mistakes.

    He said the first major mistake was committed when party founder Imran Khan gave instructions for a political alliance with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Sherani and the second major mistake was the announcement of the inclusion into the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, adding that some people gave sectarian colour to the issue and gave threatening messages to the PTI leadership.
    However, Marwat’s comments have drawn ire from within his party, as well as from political allies.

    Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Chairman of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), issued a stern warning to leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), cautioning them against airing internal grievances publicly.
    The revelations made by Marwat have reignited discussions surrounding corruption allegations within the PTI and have raised concerns about the party’s internal cohesion.

  • Aseefa Bhutto may be joining National Assembly soon

    Aseefa Bhutto may be joining National Assembly soon

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has filed her nomination papers on Sunday to contest by-elections on the National Assembly (NA) seat vacated by her father. Aseefa Bhutto will take part in the polls from NA-207 as the PPP’s co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, left his seat after being elected president of Pakistan.

    The returning officer also confirmed that Assefa Bhutto submitted her nomination papers, stating that by-polls in Shaheed Benazirabad-1 will be held on April 21.

    On her X (previously Twitter) account, the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto shared pictures of herself filing nomination papers.

    She was accompanied by her aunt, Azra Fazal Pechuho. Party workers showered rose petals on her when she stepped out of the RO’s office.

    Asif Ali Zardari was elected on March 10 as the 14th president of Pakistan.

    The population of the constituency stands at 959,756 with 496,037 registered voters — of which 268,522 are male and 227,515 female voters.

    Earlier, in the February 8 general elections, Zardari secured victory in NA-207 Shaheed Benazirabad-I constituency as he defeated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed (PTI) Sardar Sher Muhammad Rind by a huge margin.

  • Momal Sheikh’s husband credits baby for bollywood success

    Momal Sheikh’s husband credits baby for bollywood success

    Momal Sheikh, daughter of famous actor Javed Sheikh and sister of Shahzad Sheikh, wanted to act on camera, but her family didn’t allow it. Instead, she worked behind the scenes in production. After marrying Nader Nawaz, he supported her dream of joining showbiz.

    In a recent appearance on Shan e Suhoor with Nida Yasir, the couple discussed their life post-marriage, their family dynamics, and their mutual admiration. Among their topics was Momal’s unexpected offer for a Bollywood movie, which she managed to juggle despite recently becoming a mother to their son.

    Nader shared that she got the offer from the director of that film as they wanted only her for the role and though her father who was starring in that film was not convinced, the director still pursued her for the character. I believe our baby brought this opportunity. He encouraged Momal, saying, “Every child brings luck. You got this chance because of our baby’s arrival.”