"We Are the Worst of Our Behaviour During Ramadan": Noman Ijaz Shares His Candid Thoughts on Pakistanis
Nauman Ijaz is one of Pakistan's most respected and versatile actors, with a career spanning decades.
Known for his powerful performances in hit dramas like Dasht, Mera Saeen, Sang-e-Mar Mar, Alif, and Parizaad, he has built a reputation not only for his acting skills but for his ability to take on diverse and complex roles.
Nauman's stardom is backed by his dedication to his craft, and his influence extends beyond just his work in television.
In a recent vlog, Nauman shared some humorous yet critical thoughts about the behavior of Pakistanis during the holy month of Ramzan.
With his signature sarcasm, he reflected on how the blessed month, meant to bring people closer to spiritual reflection, often sees the worst behavior from many.
Nauman Ijaz said, 'Basically, Allah sent Ramzan for Muslims, not for Pakistanis. Yes, Pakistanis do keep fasting, but they can't bear it; they can't control their anger during Ramzan. They bad-mouth each other on the road, they won't wait for the signals to turn green; instead, they will start fighting and indulge in a war of abusive words. We are at the worst of our behavior during Ramzan, although we aren't good in other months either. Also, we are so lazy and lethargic; they don't want to work during Ramzan. They go for one Namaz and spend all the work hours in the mosque just to avoid work. You use Farz Ibadat for personal benefits. They kill the purpose of (Farz Ibadat) Worship.'
His critique of how some people use the month of Ramzan for personal convenience rather than spiritual growth speaks to a much larger issue in society.
Rather than embracing the true essence of Ramzan—patience, self-control, and empathy—there are those who struggle with the very qualities that this holy month is supposed to nurture.
In his candid commentary, Nauman is not wrong.
The month, which is meant to elevate the soul, sometimes gets the best of people who fall prey to the stresses and irritations that come with fasting and the demands of daily life. This behavior stands in stark contrast to the peace and tranquility that should define this time of year.
As Nauman puts it so frankly, "We are at the worst of our behavior during Ramzan," but maybe this is the year we begin to change that.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Express Tribune
'In India, hating Pakistan is how you show loyalty'
Veteran actor Hina Bayat weighed in on the controversy surrounding Indian poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar, whose recent remarks against Pakistan have sparked outrage across the border. Speaking on a local television show on Wednesday, Bayat criticised Akhtar's "hateful" comments, suggesting that his words were less about conviction and more about performance. "I think he made those hateful comments because he wanted to feel relevant," Bayat said during the segment. "He had to prove somehow that he is 'very Indian' so he used Pakistan for that purpose." Her remarks come in response to a statement Akhtar made during a press conference in India earlier this month, where he controversially declared: "If I have to choose between going to hell and going to Pakistan, I would prefer to go to hell." Akhtar made his controversial remark during the launch of Narkatla Swarg, a book by Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, itself a politically loaded event. In such a volatile climate, words carry weight, and Akhtar's were more than just a personal preference. The Indian lyricist has made several visits to Pakistan in the past, most notably as an honoured guest at the Faiz Festival in Lahore earlier this year, where he was warmly welcomed. In contrast, amid the growing strain in IndiaPakistan relations in recent years, his rhetoric has taken a sharper, more critical turn, one that many in Pakistan interpret as politically driven or opportunistic. Bayat echoed that sense of betrayal, calling for a reevaluation of who Pakistan offers its legendary hospitality to. "In India, hating Pakistan is the way you show how loyal you are," she said. "But I request Lahoris: do not host such people in the future. We Pakistanis are hospitable, we'll sit at the knees of elders, but that man does not deserve it." Bayat's comments were among the more composed yet cutting responses from Pakistani public figures. Actor Mishi Khan, for instance, slammed Akhtar on Instagram, saying, "Javed Akhtar has chosen the perfect place for himself. No one in Pakistan will invite him again." Actor Imran Abbas wrote that Akhtar will "go to hell regardless," sarcastically adding that Pakistan had given him a business class welcome "though he wasn't even worthy of economy." Meanwhile, former MPA Sharmila Farooqui called the remarks "deeply disrespectful," and actors like Asim Mehmood issued subtler but stinging responses of their own.
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Phil Robertson death: A look back at the controversial star's life, who dies aged 79
Phil Robertson, the bearded patriarch of the hit US reality series Duck Dynasty, has died at the age of 79. Though celebrated by some as a voice of traditional values, he was equally known for incendiary remarks that placed him at the centre of some of the United States' most polarising cultural debates. Robertson's death on 25 May followed a public battle with Alzheimer's disease. While Duck Dynasty brought him fame as a God-fearing outdoorsman and family man, it was his deeply controversial statements—on homosexuality, atheism, and morality—that cemented his status as both hero and villain in America's ongoing culture wars. In 2013, Robertson gave an interview to GQ magazine that would trigger a firestorm. Asked about sin, he grouped homosexuality alongside bestiality and promiscuity, quoting from the Bible: 'Don't be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders... they won't inherit the kingdom of God.' He continued, 'We just love 'em, give 'em the good news about Jesus—whether they're homosexuals, drunks, terrorists... We let God sort 'em out later.' The comments led broadcaster A&E to suspend him indefinitely, but the decision was reversed just nine days later following a backlash from conservative viewers and politicians. A Facebook campaign supporting Robertson quickly gathered over a million followers. Two years later, Robertson reignited controversy at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where he received a First Amendment award from Breitbart News. In a 30-minute speech, he linked the spread of sexually transmitted diseases to Nazis, beatniks and communists, and described in graphic detail a hypothetical murder of an atheist family—suggesting that without belief in God, moral boundaries collapse. The speech went viral and drew heavy criticism from civil rights groups and media commentators, though Robertson remained unapologetic. A lifelong conservative Christian, Robertson routinely expressed views opposing abortion, same-sex marriage and secularism. He also used his platform to endorse political candidates, including Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, and remained a fixture in evangelical political circles. His supporters praised him as a fearless defender of religious freedom; his critics saw him as emblematic of intolerance masquerading as conviction. For better or worse, Robertson became a symbol of the sharp ideological divides that define much of modern American public life. While the cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, his family confirmed that he had struggled with health complications following his Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2024. A private funeral and public memorial are planned. Even in death, Robertson remains a figure of fierce debate—admired by millions for his unshakeable beliefs, and criticised by others for the harm his words inflicted.
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson dies at 79 after Alzheimer's battle
Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the hit reality TV series Duck Dynasty and founder of the Duck Commander brand, has died at the age of 79. His passing was confirmed by his family on Sunday, following his recent diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease. Robertson's daughter-in-law, Korie Robertson, shared the news on Facebook, writing, 'We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord.' She added that Robertson lived a life of bold faith and always shared the message of Jesus Christ with others. Robertson was a teacher and commercial fisherman before inventing the Duck Commander duck call, which led to the creation of a multi-million dollar hunting gear company now led by his son, Willie Robertson. The family's success was chronicled in Duck Dynasty, which aired on A&E from 2012 to 2017 and became the most-watched nonfiction cable series in history by 2013. The show featured Phil Robertson, his brother Si, and his sons Jase, Willie, and Jep, along with other family members and co-workers. Despite controversy in 2013 that led to a brief suspension over comments about homosexuality, Robertson remained a central figure in the series. While Phil Robertson won't appear in the upcoming A&E reboot Duck Dynasty: Revival, his legacy continues through his family and their business. A film based on his life, The Blind – The True Story of the Robertson Family, was released in 2023. The family plans to hold a private service with details about a public celebration to be announced later.
