Creating positive habits during Ramadan
As we are well into the month this year, the discipline of rigid routine and divine spiritual motivation are a potent medicine for productivity.
New Year’s resolutions have deserted us. Gym memberships have gotten lost in the sand and the 40 degree Celsius heat has trapped us in malls and cafes. With this scenario in mind, I had the upper hand with Ramadan. I had taken the Quran’s teachings by the letter, taking seriously what goes into my evening meal and fighting all the iftar invites to not over indulge. One month is all I have!
Apart from the food and drink, Ramadan has been a real catalyst to making my immediate circle of connections into better overall people. Contrary to the common misperception that people get short tempered throughout the fasting month, I’ve seen an extraordinary amount of smiles and a general eagerness to help one another. Being a time of outreach and rekindling old relationships, it’s been heartwarming, especially for those around me, experiencing Ramadan away from family and familiar surroundings.
Well into Ramadan, I pray that we observe it to the end, as it has been a gentle – yet very structured program – of change. It’s not only about stopping and changing behaviours, but also about the condition of the body and soul.
I think it frees up the mind to have a think about where we are and how long we can continue the positive change or how to change for good if we’ve yet to take the first step.
From Mr Osman Al Zafarani
UAE
A great experience
My daughter’s 12th grade classmates, all fasted for a day to show their love for her (‘Ramadan reader’s diary: ‘Ramadan fast helped me control anger’, Gulf News, June 20). They agreed that it was a great experience in self-control, though not so easy.
From Ms Saba Ansari
UAE
Facebook comment
Respecting my peers
This is my second time to fast also even though I’m a Christian. It’s my way of respecting all brothers and sisters of Islam since I’m living here in a Muslim country.
From Ms Sarah Austria Libres
UAE
Facebook comment
Understanding traditions
Thanks to you and your sympathy, Ms Sarah Austria Libres. We are all meant to respect each other as humans, not fight like enemies. Consideration is the best way to begin to understanding. Something that you have done.
From Mr Mohammad Soyab
Dubai
Facebook comment
The impact of reaching out
So true! And this goes both ways. I remember my brother went to university with a man from Kuwait back in the US, and he came home for Christmas with my brother to join in on the festivities. When we hung stockings by the fireplace, he asked us what we do with the socks. He made a gingerbread house with my sister and me. He also thoroughly enjoyed my grandmother’s homemade apple pie. It was a memorable Christmas for everyone.
It just goes to show that celebrating other people’s traditions impacts both parties. For me, seeing that willingness to open up to better understand a different way of life, especially knowing the conservative background he came from, made me want to do the same.
From Ms Melanie Stead
UAE
Don’t overeat
I remember fasting once. If you have a moderate diet and have a habit of eating small portion sizes in general, then it helps you get through the day.
From Mr Damien Moss
UAE
Facebook comment
Remaining a better person
I hope that the spirit of Ramadan will not only end when the Ramadan month ends. Most people change during Ramadan. They become better people, and it’s a good sign. It only means that they truly understood the purpose of fasting. I hope the whole year will be as good as this Ramadan.
From Mr Jeff Red C. Catacutan
UAE
Facebook comment
Disgraceful
This is very bad sportsmanship (‘India’s tour of Zimbabwe hit by rape allegation’, Gulf News, June 20). These players should be behaving like heroes because they are representing their country as ambassadors.
From Mr Ali Butt
Dubai
Facebook comment
Silencing a crime
Had it been another International Cricket Council (ICC) member’s crime, his name and his family would have been displayed with screaming headlines in the media and he would have been banned for life from even looking at a cricket pitch. But, this won’t be the case. Instead it’s now trying to be covered up and silenced.
From Mr Ali Liaqat
Dubai
Facebook comment
What’s more important?
I don’t appreciate the headline, ‘India’s tour of Zimbabwe hit by rape allegation’. They’re hit? What about the victim of the rape? Her life is ruined!
From Ms Wendy Troost
UAE
Facebook comment
Primitive
What is going on with people? Don’t they know how to deal with a woman? It’s incredibly primitive behaviour.
From Mr Carlo Bini
UAE
Facebook comment
Be respectful towards women
People like that should be put in jail because every woman should be treated respectfully (‘‘Flyer kissed stewardess while taking selfie’, Gulf News, June 20). Treat all women as you would your mother, sister and wife.
I’ve seen social media comments criticising what the flight attendant was wearing, but they are not dressing inappropriately anyway. It’s also a poor reason not to respect women.
From Mr Jon Zenitram
UAE
Facebook comment
Lower your gaze
We should know that God has asked men to lower their gaze as respect to women, irrespective of what they are wearing.
From Ms Naina Khan
UAE
Facebook comment
Shouldn’t matter
Our character should not be based on what others are wearing. God has given us our conscience and asks us to refrain. Just because someone dresses indecently does not mean they can be treated as public property. Firstly, the uniform of the airline staff is not indecent and, they are not there for men to use.
From Mr Mahnaaz Shaikh
UAE
Facebook comment
He had no right
It’s not just a kiss! No man has the right to inappropriately touch a woman without her permission! Any individual that thinks differently is seriously messed up in the mind.
From Ms Zafeiria Kokkini Al Aboodi
UAE
Facebook comment
No harassment
This is serious offence. People should behave themselves. She did a good thing by putting that suspect into jail. If she agreed to take selfie, take it without harassment.
From Mr Fahim Alam
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Finding a new coach
No doubt, during the past two decades, foreign coaches ruled the roost and brought much needed benefits. However, with many improvements among Indian staff, the cricket board seems to be keen to appoint an Indian as the coach. Now that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has pruned the list to 21 and the list has been forwarded to the high powered Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and V. V. S. Laxman. It is really going to be a tough task for the CAC to select the best. However, between Ravi Shastri and Anil Kumble, I feel Kumble is the best, as he has been capped the most in Tests and One Day Internationals (ODI). He is a real fighter and match winner. He is the coolest, and, above all, courageous player who could tackle even the toughest situation.
Remember the way he handled the Sydney, Australia fiasco and despite losing the Test, bounced back to conquer the Aussies on their own favourite pitch in Perth? He was the most respected captain by each and every member, old and young, during his tenure.
Apart from that, most importantly, he is unbiased and selects players only based on their performance. Under the circumstances, I feel he is the best, and India’s players would benefit from his wisdom.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.
