Passionately M

Ramadan has started again, this year last 11 March 2024 (Monday) and with it, the warmth of shared meals and thoughtful gestures. My flatmate, an Indian Muslim, has consistently embodied the spirit of this holy month in a way that goes beyond religious observance. It all started last year during Ramadan. Every evening, he would give me a plastic bag or a box filled with delicious food. It wasn't just a meal; it was a silent invitation to learn about his religion and culture, and a reminder of the importance of community. The Essence of Ramadan: A Time for Reflection and Generosity For Muslims, Ramadan is a time for spiritual growth, self-reflection, and heightened compassion. Fasting from dawn to dusk allows them to empathize with those less fortunate and appreciate the blessings in their lives.  But Ramadan is more than just abstaining from food and drink. It's a period dedicated to prayer, charity (Zakat), and acts of kindness. Sharing Food: A Universal Expression of Care One...

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is -- ' What are you doing for others?'" Have we stopped for a while, even for some minutes, to ask ourselves? What are we doing for others? Are we helping others, despite our own storms, or are we hurting them because we are wounded inside? Are we peacemakers uniting people, or are we causing troubles, dividing them? Our biggest family, humanity, must have evolved as a result of many, many years of studies on human behavior. Recently with the new technology that introduced connectivity and big data, we must have been more humanitarian than ever before. But like a funnel, as we go down and deeper, the narrower it is, the more individualism there is. I am greatly touched by featured stories in the leading newspapers of the UAE (online version) showing unnamed philanthropists helping those in trouble particularly in the month of Ramadan. For one, the humanitarian care section ...