
Wherever they are in the world, Ramadhan is always a cherished time for Pakistanis
Across the globe, each country celebrates Ramadhan with its own unique rituals and traditions, handed down through the generations. In Pakistan, the holy month is marked with tremendous enthusiasm and devotion, focusing on charity, family gatherings and the joyous celebration of Eid Al Fitr. Ramadhan inspires a strong sense of community, as individuals come together to break their fasts and engage in prayers. The streets buzz with the activity of vendors offering delectable Ramadhan delicacies and the air is rich with enticing aromas from dishes prepared for iftar.
Wherever they are in the world, Ramadhan is always a cherished time for Pakistanis
During this sacred month, the spirit of giving is especially prominent in Pakistan. People embark on charitable endeavours, generously sharing food, money, clothing and grains with those in need. Mosques and various organisations set up stations where they distribute meals to the underprivileged, embodying the essence of compassion that Ramadhan inspires.
For many Pakistanis, Ramadhan is a cherished time when fasting, prayer and the recitation of the holy Quran take centre stage. It is also a period that emphasises charity, self-restraint and self-discipline.
Delightful traditional foods are essential to the Ramadhan experience, with staples such as parathas, dahi bhallay, pakoray, chana chaat, chicken kebabs, cutlets, samosas, fruit chaat and refreshing lassi or tea capturing the taste buds of many.
Wherever they are in the world, Ramadhan is always a cherished time for Pakistanis
Wherever they are in the world, Ramadhan is always a cherished time for Pakistanis
Recently, at Ravi Restaurant in Oman, a vibrant Iftar gathering took place, organised by the Sindhi community to showcase the true spirit of Ramadhan. Friends from various backgrounds came together to enjoy a sumptuous spread of iftar and suhoor offerings.
Under the gracious auspices of His Highness Sayyid Mohammed bin Salem al Said, alongside the esteemed Sayed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman and Shaikh Syed Fayyaz Ali Shah, this event brought together a diverse array of guests, including Yasir al Zadjali, Arshad Ali Khan, Mian Mohd Munir, Zahid Shakoor, Usman Lakhan, Dr Ahmed Nawaz Hakro and many prominent figures from the community.
Wherever they are in the world, Ramadhan is always a cherished time for Pakistanis
Wherever they are in the world, Ramadhan is always a cherished time for Pakistanis
'This holy month of Ramadhan teaches us the values of compassion and tolerance,' remarked Usman Lakhan, the chief organiser. 'Today, we've invited friends from all walks of life to join us in this beautiful initiative, successfully arranged by Imran Toor at the Ravi Restaurant, renowned for its traditional delights.'
An essential aspect of Ramadhan in Pakistan includes assisting those in need, ensuring they can experience the month without financial worry. As Ramadhan draws to a close, initiatives are undertaken to provide new clothes for the less fortunate, enabling them to celebrate Eid Al Fitr alongside their fellow countrymen. This year, the Ravi Restaurant will host a celebration where hundreds of workers and economically challenged individuals will receive their new Eid attire, making the festive occasion even more special.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Observer
19 hours ago
- Observer
Nine lessons learned from books, experience
Over the years, through spiritual and self-development books, higher-self programmes, research in intercultural communication and — most profoundly — through personal experience, I've come to internalise several lessons that continue to guide my life. These reflections are shared to offer light on the path towards mastering The Secret, and perhaps something deeper. 1. Allah Must Come First: This is the foundation of every spiritual path. In Islam, praying (talking to Allah) and meditating (listening to Him) are essential. If you feel too busy to do either, then it is even more important that you make time. When you put Allah first, everything else begins to fall into place. Begin and end your day with Him. Check in often. A strong connection with Allah brings clarity and ease, even in chaos. 2. Words Are Actions: What you say matters. Words carry energy. Once spoken, they ripple out and return. Don't speak in anger or judgment, even when you feel justified. Speak with care and act with compassion. Be kind not only to others but to yourself. The way you speak to yourself shapes your reality. A gentle inner voice is a powerful tool for healing and growth. 3. Be the Change You Wish to See (Mahatma Gandhi): If you want peace, be peaceful. If you want love, give love. If you want respect, offer it. You can't demand from others what you don't practice yourself. Your actions speak louder than your ideals. Live the values you wish the world would uphold. Real change starts within. 4. Practice the Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz): This simple framework can transform your life: Be impeccable with your word. Don't take things personally. Don't make assumptions. Always do your best. These agreements sound easy, but living them fully requires daily awareness. When you do, relationships improve and inner peace becomes more accessible. 5. Get Out of Your Head: When you stay stuck in overthinking, you block growth. The best way to break free is to serve something bigger than yourself. Give your energy to people, causes, or projects that uplift others. Purpose doesn't have to be grand — it just has to be meaningful. In giving, you receive. In serving, you become lighter. 6. Ask, and It Is Given (Esther Hicks): Nothing changes without intention. Ask for what you want, clearly and with faith. Write your goals down. Read them daily. Practice gratitude — for what you have and what's on the way. When you combine sincere asking with belief and action, things start to shift. What you seek begins seeking you. 7. No One Is Coming to Save You: This is a hard truth — but also the most liberating one. No one is coming to fix your life. Not your parents, your partner, your children, or the system. You are your own turning point. Allah is always with you — but He does not change your condition until you change what is within yourself (Quran 13:11). You are not powerless. Take ownership. That is where freedom begins. 8. Everyone deserves a second chance: We are all works in progress. None of us gets everything right the first time — or even the second. Just as you have needed grace, so will others. Offer it. People grow, change and surprise us when given room to rise. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting; it means choosing compassion over final judgment. Extend the second chance you hope to receive. Sometimes, that is all someone needs to begin again. 9. And Finally: Have a Little Faith: Even when nothing makes sense, keep going. Keep praying. Keep believing. What is meant for you is already written. Trust the process, even when you do not understand it. Faith does not remove the struggle, but it gives it meaning. Surrender the timing, but never doubt the outcome.


Observer
05-08-2025
- Observer
Audience satisfaction with radio programmes at 76 per cent, TV at 73 per cent: NCSI survey
MUSCAT: Public satisfaction with the programme content reached 76 per cent for radio channels and 73 per cent for TV channels, according to a public opinion survey conducted by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information. Satisfaction with TV content covering national occasions, religious events and weather conditions reached approximately 88 per cent, while content related to raising awareness, government and tourism projects, social issues, and children's programmes scored around 69 per cent. Omani viewers primarily engaged with Oman TV's religious and cultural programmes such as 'Matoun', 'Dhifaf' and 'Al Fahras' as well as talk shows like 'Al Bayt' (The House) and 'Kunna Huna' (We Were Here), and Ramadhan drama series such as 'Al Waqeed' and 'Al Madyoonir'. For radio content, satisfaction levels stood at 88 per cent for coverage of national occasions, religious events and weather conditions, and around 74 per cent for government and tourism projects, social issues, and children's programmes. Omanis showed the highest interest in religious programmes, Ramadhan talk shows like 'Layali Ramadhan' (Ramadhan Nights), and radio drama series such as 'Sawalif Al Jadd Hameed', 'Qala'ed Al Yasmin', 'Dalshad' and 'Rihla Shaqqa'. At the governorate level, Al Sharqiyah South Governorate recorded the highest satisfaction with radio content at 84 per cent. Satisfaction was equal between genders at 74 per cent, while the age group 30-49 registered 78 per cent. For TV content, Al Sharqiyah South and Al Dakhiliyah governorates recorded the highest satisfaction at 76 per cent, with equal satisfaction between genders at 74 per cent. The survey aimed to strengthen communication between the Ministry of Information and the public by involving citizens in media evaluation, contributing to content development, and measuring satisfaction with the quality and diversity of programmes on Oman Radio and TV. — ONA


Observer
04-08-2025
- Observer
All is well: The Omani way of lightness and faith
In Oman, three simple words carry the weight of centuries of wisdom: El Amoor Tayba — all is well. Whether spoken in as a soft murmur of reassurance during grief or worry, the phrase is more than just a linguistic or cultural habit. It is a philosophy. An Omani way of being in the world. A quiet, graceful lens through which life's troubles are softened — not by denial, but by faith, patience and spiritual lightness. Though often expressed casually, this philosophy is a centuries-old spiritual compass that allows Omanis to face life's uncertainties with a calm, open heart. 'All is well' is not only said at moments of pain, though those are the times when its power is most felt. It is also uttered in everyday life: when someone is stressed about a decision, worried about a future event, or burdened with too much responsibility. An Omani might respond gently: El Amoor Tayba. Take it easy. Don't worry. Life will unfold as it should. In this sense, the phrase serves both as a balm and a bridge — soothing distress and reminding the speaker and listener alike that worry changes little, but trust changes everything. This approach to life is rooted deeply in Islamic spirituality. In the Quran, believers are reminded that with every hardship comes ease (Quran 94:6) and that God is the best of planners (Quran 8:30). In Oman, these verses are not just recited — they are lived. The phrase 'El Amoor Tayba' reflects the Islamic concept of tawakkul, or trust in divine will. After doing what one can, one leaves the rest to God. For Omanis, this trust is not heavy or rigid; it is serene, light and often accompanied by a smile. It is a quiet confidence that things are — and will be — okay. There is something uniquely Omani about this expression. It reflects the temperament of a people who have long lived between mountains and sea, who understand the unpredictability of life, yet choose to meet it with grace. All is well is not loud or performative. It carries no urgency. It arrives gently, like the scent of frankincense in the air, offering ease, dignity and space to breathe. Even in mourning, when the heart is raw, Omanis often whisper El Amoor Tayba — not to erase sorrow, but to contain it within a larger, more merciful frame. Death, like life, is not the end of the story. The beauty of this phrase lies in its subtlety. It does not promise miracles, nor does it pretend that life is free of hardship. Rather, it gently shifts perspective. Things may be difficult, but they are not falling apart. You may feel alone, but you are being held by something greater. In this way, All is Well becomes a kind of spiritual shorthand for resilience. For letting go. For trusting the tide. To live by El Amoor Tayba is to embody lightness — not carelessness, but a lightness of being. Omanis who use this phrase are not avoiding life's weight but choosing how to carry it. They know, instinctively and spiritually, that worry cannot add a single hour to one's life. What can? Faith. Presence. A smile. And perhaps, the quiet confidence that — even when things appear otherwise — all is, somehow, well. So, the next time an Omani tells you, 'all is well', listen closely. It is not just a phrase. It is an inheritance, a shield and a quiet prayer. And perhaps, if you let it, it can become your philosophy too. Dr Najma al Zidjaly The writer is Associate Professor, Sultan Qaboos University