Latest news with #RelianceAluminium
Khaleej Times
29-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Residents turn regular intermittent fasting into 9-day Dhul Hijjah devotion
Faryal Mustafa, a resident of Abu Shagara in Sharjah, will not be performing Hajj, but she's determined to make the most of these spiritually charged days of Dhul Hijjah. She is dedicating herself to fasting throughout the first nine days of the month, hoping to gain immense rewards. 'I may not be in Makkah, but my heart is connected to the purpose of these days. Fasting is my way of showing that devotion from wherever I am,' she said. She has already been intermittent fasting for the past month. So, when Dhul Hijjah began, switching to full-day fasts felt like a natural continuation of both her spiritual and physical journey. 'It's been just two months since Ramadan, and that spiritual energy hasn't faded. These ten days are like a mini-Ramadan for me.' Faryal was inspired by the hadith (sayings of the Prophet) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 'There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.' (Bukhari) This hadith has motivated Muslims across the world to intensify their prayers, charity, fasting, and remembrance of Allah during these blessed days. 'I used to fast mainly for health benefits, but now I am doing it for my soul. There's a bigger purpose behind it — it's about getting closer to Allah,' said Faryal. Ahmad Bilal, a 32-year-old marketing executive at Relaince Aluminium Fabrication and a resident of JLT is also embracing these sacred days through fasting. 'I have been doing intermittent fasting since April, but during Dhul Hijjah, it feels more meaningful. I wake up early for suhoor, pray, and start my day with a clean intention,' he said. Ahmad said that while Hajj is a pillar of Islam and the dream of every Muslim, not everyone can go every year. But that doesn't mean they can't strive for closeness to Allah in other ways. 'These fasts are a way to stay spiritually connected. They help me slow down, reflect, and stay grateful. It's not just about abstaining from food, it's about nourishing the soul,' he added. 'I especially look forward to the Day of Arafah, the rewards of fasting on that day are huge. It's like a reset for the heart,' he said. Significance of the 10 days Sheikh Ayaz Housee, Imam at NGS and Khateeb at Al Manar Islamic Centre, explained why these days hold such spiritual weight in Islam. 'Allah made a divine oath in the Quran by these days. 'By the dawn. And by the ten nights.' (Qur'an 89:1–2). The majority of scholars agree this refers to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.' He further mentioned that these days are unique because they combine all major forms of worship — prayer, fasting, Hajj, charity, remembrance of Allah, and sacrifice. 'Nowhere else in the calendar do you get this complete package of devotion,' he said. While fasting during the entire first nine days is encouraged, the ninth day of Arafah, is especially significant for non-pilgrims. 'Fasting on the Day of Arafah wipes away the sins of the previous year and the year to come,' said Sheikh Ayaz, citing the hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim. For those not on pilgrimage, it offers a powerful opportunity for redemption and spiritual elevation. Path to inner peace, closeness to Allah Beyond the rewards, fasting during Dhul Hijjah brings believers closer to their creator. 'The Prophet (PBUH) mentioned in a Hadith Qudsi that Allah said: 'My servant does not draw near to me with anything more beloved than what I have made obligatory on him. And he continues to draw near to me with voluntary deeds...' (Bukhari),' said Sheikh Ayaz. Voluntary fasts, especially during these sacred days, fall under those beloved deeds that deepen one's spiritual connection. Sheikh Ayaz encouraged Muslims to also engage in dhikr (remembrance), read Quran, and give charity during this time. 'It's not just about fasting. Use these days to soften your heart, help someone in need, and remember Allah often. These actions build your spiritual bank,' he said.
Khaleej Times
02-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How some residents turned 4-day Eid Al Fitr break into a 16-day holiday
With the Eid Al Fitr break coinciding with school vacations this year, some UAE residents have extended their holidays to over two weeks. This alignment of holidays enabled families, particularly those who haven't celebrated Eid in their hometowns for years, to plan longer trips. For Masiuddin Mohammed, managing director of Superjet Group, this Eid was extra special. 'I haven't celebrated Eid with my family and relatives in India for a few years. Since my children had school vacations and Eid Al Fitr fell within this break, I sent them home early during Ramadan,' said Masiuddin, who hails from Hyderabad. He joined them on March 28, just two days before the festival. "It was an incredible celebration, being with my family after such a long time. The warmth of meeting everyone, performing Eid prayers together, and enjoying traditional meals made it special. This was the perfect opportunity to reconnect with my roots,' he said. 'Spending Eid back home is an experience like no other. The joy of praying together, sharing festive meals, and being surrounded by loved ones is irreplaceable,' added Masiuddin. Masiuddin will be returning to the UAE on Thursday (March 3), after spending a week in India. Like him, many other residents took advantage of the long holiday to visit their hometowns. Planning ahead for an extended celebration Similarly, Mohammed El Saleh, a manager at Ansar Group, decided to extend his break to spend quality time with family in Alexandria, Egypt. 'I sent my family home early, on March 21, so they could spend Ramadan with our loved ones. When I joined them later, the preparations had already begun,' said El Saleh. Describing the celebration, El Saleh said, 'We celebrated in a grand manner. Many of my cousins flew in from different parts of the world. Some of them I was meeting for the first time since the pandemic,' he said. El Saleh, who had taken an early leave on March 27, will be returning to Dubai on April 7. Combining Eid with local festivals For some residents, the extended break is not just about Eid but also about celebrating other important regional festivals. Abdul Salam and Vishnu Kumar, both employees at Reliance Aluminium, decided to extend their break to celebrate Vishu, the harvest festival of Kerala, which is on April 14. "We were casually discussing our travel plans when we realised that Eid and Vishu were close together. Instead of taking separate trips, we decided to combine both celebrations,' said Abdul Salam. 'Since we had already completed a major order at work, our boss was fine with us taking extra days off. We assured him that we would cover any pending work after our return." The two friends, who belong to the same town in Kerala, are returning to Dubai on April 15 after celebrating both festivals. 'Our children will miss a week's school since classes resume on April 7, but we are confident they will catch up with lessons quickly,' added Abdul Salam. High demand for flights With so many residents taking long breaks, air travel demand has surged. The trend of combining Eid with school holidays and regional festivals has led to packed flights and skyrocketing airfares. 'After the pandemic, airfare prices were already high, and most of them did not get chance to celebrate Eid at home because of academic commitments. Many families are traveling for Eid, and in places like Kerala, people are staying back for Vishu as well. Since they are taking extended holidays now, they are likely to skip summer vacations,' said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. This year many people planned their trips ahead to make the most of their leave. 'With schools closed and employers granting extra days off, many travellers decided to maximise their time back home. We have seen an increase in bookings for extended holidays compared to previous years,' he added.
