The writer is an actor, an anchor and a model. She is currently the host of “Morning with Juggun” on PTV Home and can be reached via twitter @JuggunKazim
On day three of Ramazan, I was on my way home when a crazy Prado driver almost ran me off the road. When I pulled over and asked him what was wrong, he started screaming that he was fasting and that he had to get to an iftari. I still can’t understand why it was acceptable for him to drive like a lunatic. Whatever happened to respecting road rules and women?
On day seven of the Holy Month, I took my seven-year-old to a play date at his cousin’s home. It was lunch time and the boys, being too young to fast, were hungry and wanted lunch. My cousin asked her cook to bring their food. She seemed very uncomfortable asking him and I asked her why. She told me to watch what would happen.
The cook staggered in looking like he was going to pass out at any moment. He then proceeded to slam the tray down and stumbled away. I asked my cousin what was wrong with him. Her one word response was, “Ramazan”.
I understand that I’m speaking from a position of privilege but isn’t it a cook’s job to cook and serve food? I do a four-hour live transmission for iftar most days of the week. If I stopped giving 100 per cent at work, I would be out of a job very quickly. Where does our religion say that work can be ignored during Ramazan? I thought the precise idea was to continue regular life without food and water, not to slip into a coma.
More recently, I went to the bank to transfer some money between accounts and to withdraw some cash. The bank looked abandoned and the teller was sitting in his seat with his head down on the table, possibly snoozing. He was, at any rate, not happy about being bothered. However, since my car lease payment was due that day, I had no choice but to disturb him.
Please understand that I make this payment every month from the same bank and the same branch. I’m sure others do similar transactions too. And yet, it took me 45 minutes to get the gentleman concerned to do what normally takes 10 minutes. And if looks could kill, the one I got as I was leaving would have left me dead and buried.
To repeat, I don’t want to sound like the Pakistani version of the French queen who told hungry Parisians to go and eat cake. I know I live a privileged life. At the same time, I work for a living and I spend my day with other people who also work for a living. My colleagues are thoroughly professional and their standards don’t drop during the Holy Month. Where then do other people get the right to treat it as a ‘National Go Slow Month’?
Before Ziaul Haq introduced the Ehteram-e-Ramazan Ordinance in 1981, people were free to eat in public and restaurants were free to serve them.
I don’t dare suggest that we get rid of this law, but consider this: most people agree that 30 years ago, we were a more religious and less hypocritical people. What then have we gained by this? Given the behavior that I see around me, the answer is ‘not much’.
We also need to consider the non-Muslim communities of Pakistan. Pakistani Christians and Hindus are so petrified of eating in public during Ramazan that many of them also fast, just for their own safety. What happened to equality and tolerance?
The point I’m making is this: please fast and be a good Muslim but not at the expense of others. Don’t be sullen, don’t drive in a blind rage and don’t act like you are doing your employers a favour by working for them. Fasting is and should be a personal matter. Let’s keep it that way.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 5th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (61)
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If you don't think the Ramadan ordinance be removed then you don't have a right to write an article on low productivity. People have different bodies; if you think it's fair to force someone to fast then deal with their laziness due to hunger. And yes you should apologise for belonging to a privileged class...the unprivileged have to perform at work and do chores at home. Again you shouldn't speak on behalf of people you don't share much with.
@faraz: Eating normally is the norm. Hiding and eating is not the norm. Why do you want non-Muslims or people who are not practicing Muslims to do something not normal. Are you doing a favour to them by fasting? No. You are doing it because you feel it is your obligation to God. So whynot focus on your duties and responsibilities insted of imposing on others?
Great article and brings out real life situations vividly. In Thane India where I live, I see Muslims putting in a full days work during this month.Since many Muslims are self employed and have Muslim workers,I see their establishments like vehicle repair shops,bakeries,upholsterers,bicycle repair shops etc run the whole day at their usual efficiency.They break for Iftar late in the evening and then put in another two hours of work before closing.Muslims in offices work normal hours like every one else. The situation mentioned by the author is also seen widely in the middle east.
@Insaan: Telling racist jokes about Pakistanis wow you Indians have reached a new low. @Np: Your obsession with Pakistan and non-stop trolling on a Pakistani newspaper's site is really sad and symptomatic of Obsessive compulsive disorder. Not to mention the vitriol you have towards Islam in general.
@Warda: Don't fast if you don't want to but why do want to eat in public when millions others are fasting?
@Siddique Malik: Fair point.
@Bilal Mirza: Ah but what about the apostasy law?
@Rashid: Secondly, In UAE, supermarkets and bakeries remain closed till the Iftar and the % of non muslims there is much more, but they co-operate willingly. I have read several reports about UAE that how the some of hindus and sikhs families there are observing fasting since last many years and just because of their own will.
There is no FREE WILL when supermarkets and bakeries are closed for non-Muslims just because Muslims rule that country. What else non-Muslims can do other then cooperating fully. THINGS LIKE THIS CAN HAPPEN IN MUSLIM RULED COUNTRIES ONLY. Many Muslim countries have laws that punish non-Muslims for eating in public.
This Pakistani man came to visit his son in USA. He decided to go for a drive, since he has an International driving license. He was going on Rt 650 when his wife called and told him be careful I just saw on TV some one is driving on Rt 650 on the wrong side facing on coming traffic. His reply was I know, it is not just one guy, hundreds of them are driving the wrong way.
Could be hypoglycemia?
@Osama:
Well then how you are going to feed yourself if you indulge yourself in Ibadaat 24/7 It seems like you consider yourself as pious as OBL :)
@soniya:
Try to re read the article, you might find it useful.
@Np: You missed my point. Why would the cousin not need the cook during Ramzan? Would she not need one for preparing iftar and sehri? My point was that she, because of Ramzan, could have allowed the cook a little break by not making her prepare meals for kids. Such sensitivity toward your staff during Ramzan would have been in complete coincidence with the spirit of Ramzan. But the problem is that those who are addicted to being served by others cannot even consider the possibility of doing anything themselves, their commitment to religious rituals notwithstanding. Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
Its all about how you look at it, if for 11 months it takes you 10 mins and just one month a bit more then why can't you be a little more patient and cut the guy a slack? He is not doing it on purpose or on regular basis. In this hot weather, he has a slight case to be considered and just cause you are able to manage things perfectly that does not mean everyone else should as well. We all in general though need to be more patient and should try being more understanding of everyone around us, especially the privileged class!!
grt article.
@faraz: Maybe private and government organisations should "provision for" substantially reduced salary payouts commensurate with the work done. I am sure that you are nodding in agreement while reading this.
@Feroz: Please feel free to leave Islam. Ramadan is not the only thing that bothers you. There are other limitations as well, that you do not like.
Its the low sugar level dammit. Its the lack of tobacco darn it. Its the lack of my morning tea for crying out loud. Its the lack of sleep since Sehri, its, its, its .......
One can see, the cook was unlettered and did not understand the significance of fasting, and we can excuse him fro bring clumsy. A little understsanding, my dears!
On one hand we are always told there is no compulsion in religion and then there are laws like this forcing people to fast. Now you may say, well if you choose to be a Muslim you must fast. What if you choose not to be a Muslim - well then the apostasy laws kick in. Not much of a choice - eh?
@faraz: If you don't like it leave? What kind of lazy argument is that? We're you Mr. Gilani's adviser by any chance? And do you think it is as easy for people o leave as ou say - even visitors visas are difficult o come by these days.
It is amazing that how people distort the well-intentioned post with rather sad references to the writer's modeling career, or the cook, and deliberately missing the whole point. While the whole example about the cook, or the law, or Gen Zia's bad laws can be discounted, but the underlying message that there is NO excuse for bad behavior, lack of professionalism, poor work ethic and disgruntled attitude because someone chooses to fast. That point is lost on some (not all) readers. And that in my humble opinion is the tragedy of how sometimes discourse on religious matters degenerate and follows an irrelevant tangent. Fasting is a personal choice, a personal endeavor, like ALL prayers. "Theocratically", I don't benefit from your fasting, similarly I should not suffer because of it either, especially if I am fasting too! To give a real-life example. I was a fighter pilot in the Pakistan Air Force, flying French Mirage fighter jets during the early 80s. After a training mission, during Ramadan, when I came to land, my drag-chute -- a parachute that slows the jet down to proper landing speed -- did not open. As a result, the plane did not slow down enough. In this specific case while it did not result in a major accident, upon braking the jet did slide off the runway and blew all its tires and catching fire -- causing minor damage to the aircraft but no injuries (Alhamdulillah). PAF launched an investigation. It was determined that the technician who has signed off on the drag-chute maintenance did not follow proper procedures, resulting in this accident. It was noted that this accident could have resulted in greater loss to the plane, including loss of life in the worst case scenario, as there is always risk of the fire getting out of control. His justification for not following proper maintenance protocols: "Sir! I was fasting, may have not paid attention!" So now decide with a level head. Do you expect your cardiac- or neuro-surgeon, or airline pilot, bus or car driver, to be reckless with your life or that of your loved ones because he is fasting? I am sure this requires some sincere reflection. Realize and understand, we all pray to Allah (SWT), but regardless of the type, nature and time of the prayer, there is absolutely no excuse for missing our civic, social, personal or professional responsibilities.That is the core point. I understand that you may disagree with it. But then realize you have absolutely no right to demand proper service at anytime for any reason, because the other person, regardless of his/her religious beliefs -- which could be vastly different from yours -- can always make an genuine claim for special treatment. Remember, prayer (or fasting) is not a special consideration just for Muslims only.
Great piece of writing on a subject that needs to be written about. On the one hand we proclaim ' there is no compulsion in religion ' and then we go and behave in a manner that is simply not defendable.........those that have knowingly injected this religiosity into the main stream to serve their political ends have not only damaged the basic fibre of society but have also done a disservice to religion.
The point of fasting in the month of Ramazan(or Ramadhan) is to have Taqwa(self restraint) . If we sin in the other months and sin in this month than whats the point. By leaving our desires in this month or by acting like a hypocrite as the liberals put it, we get rid of those sins that we do otherwise.
I have heard that the Saudis start work in the afternoon during the holy month of Ramazan and keep working late into the evening. Whether true or not, the idea makes sense. Since the timings of fast are ordained, we should try to make adjustment in our routine. Office/factory timing can be from 10 am to 4 pm. Ramazan should always be a month of holidays in the educational institutions. The last two days of Ramazan and first two days of Shawwal should be statutory holidays. Domestic servants can be given most of their holidays around Eid time. Begums who cannot do without house-help should pay bonus to their cooks etc. I think Ramazan is not only for fasting but also for prayers, meditation and even introspection. Unfortunately like everything else it has become more ritual centric and commercialized thanks to live television. Sigh!
Have been reading at least one or two articles on this topic every Ramadan. Come on, if you don't like laws of the country, leave. The religion does provision for relaxed working hours and even those who are don't fast, enjoy early break. So what's the issue?
the writer has shared three different experiences during Ramzan month in Pakistan. I don't think that this is fare enough to categorize all the people in same way. be less rigid and try to understand that we should not blame the physically weak people if they loose temper during Ramzan days. fasting, from any angle is not a very pleasant and enjoyable experience, is not it?
BRAVO! now speak same on your show as well please!
dear juggan ..we understand the (self created) pressure u have to match up with your highly educated and intellactual lawyer husband but please have mercy on the readers and go back to modelling and doing morning shows.
I have always seen traffic accidents increase during Ramadan, people clawing at each other like cats, schools close at least an hour earlier. Working timings change in a lot of places. So yes people do want special treatment in Ramadan.
@Rashid: I want to comment on second part of your comment: I think it's not a fair to compare us with UAE. At the UAE the entire non-Mulsim population is foreigners and not the citizens of that country, hence, enjoy limited rights. The foreigners there come to earn a livelihood and if they do not like a law or anything about UAE, they can leave the country and settle somewhere else. While in Pakistan the 3% non-Muslims are an equal citizens of this land of pure and enjoy equal rights as per the constitution including the right to exercise their religion.
Moreover, I'd rather compare Pakistan with South Asian countries (India, Bangladesh etc) with whom we have many things common than with the Gulf States. And if I want to raise the benchmark then I'd rather compare Pakistan with countries like Turkey, and/or European countries, where all citizens are given equal rights throughout the year.
I always break my fast with Yummy Pink Ludoos at Iftaar.
Its time the 'Ehteram-e-Ramazan Ordinance' be killed. Being forced into following a religion/religious activity is bringing out the hypocrisy in us. If one person is forced to fast he will definitely take it out on others who don't fast. Religion should be a personal choice, which unfortunately, it isn't in Pakistan. I'm done with people trying to judge others based on their religious beliefs and forcing others socially to show religious orientation.
Good article but writer is not awrae about what Ehteram-e-Ramazan Ordinance 1981 is ???For your clarification relevant sections are reproduced below: Prohibition of eating, etc, in public places.— (1) No person who, according to the tenets of Islam, is under an obligation to fast shall eat, drink or smoke in a public place during fasting hours in the month of Ramazan. (2) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both. 4. Prohibition of serving eatables in certain public places.— No proprietor, manager, servant, or other person in charge of a hotel, restaurant or canteen, or other public place, shall knowingly and willfully offers or serve or cause to be offered or served any eatable during fasting hours in the month of Ramazan to any person who, according to the tenets of Islam, is under an obligation to fast. (2) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a ten which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both. 5. Exemptions.— Nothing contained in section 4 shall apply in respect of -- (a) a canteen or kitchen maintained in a hospital for serving food to patient; 1[(b) A restaurant, or canteen, stall or wheel-barrow, or the holder of vending contract, within the premises of a railway station or in a train or a restaurant or canteen within the premises of an airport, seaport, or bus stand or in an aircraft;] (c) A kitchen or dining-car of a train; or (d) a kitchen or canteen meant for children within the premises of a primary. It is now clear that this ordinance is for those who according to Islam are under an obligation to fast.
An article on observing the sanctity of Ramadan by Juggan Kazim. That's rich.
Firstly, I dont think that Christians and Hindus cannot restrain from eating publicly for just 30 days...I live in karachi and usually havent seen these specific religion public eating out in the rest of 11 months...comon juggun be reasonable. 97% of muslims deserves the right to fast and also they deserve to show respect of this Holy month, why cant non muslims give them this respect?
Secondly, In UAE, supermarkets and bakeries remain closed till the Iftar and the % of non muslims there is much more, but they co-operate willingly. I have read several reports about UAE that how the some of hindus and sikhs families there are observing fasting since last many years and just because of their own will.
Thirdy, I have been to banks and shops several times during this and previous Ramadans and never experience and found such sleeping and lazy people that are easily available to Juggun wherever she goes. Just banks around Pechs/Nursery and let me know.
@Np: The point was to be more tolerant and understanding, this is life, to expect people to be hardcore professionals 24/7 is unrealistic. One of the lessons of Ramadan is to emphatise with the lower classes, so yeah giving the cook some breathing space is not bad, infact i would encourage that behavior.
@Siddique Malik: Would it be an act of kindness if the cook did not have a job during Ramzan? That is what would happen if the cousin decided o cook instead of asking the cook to do so.
@Osama: Unfair to ask the cook to serve food because he is fasting? So what would he prefer during Ramazan - to be jobless?
You seem to know that "fasting is an integral part of any Muslim’s belief system and one of the fundamental pillars of Islam" but your cousin definitely uses Ramzan as an "excuse for being dysfunctional." Why could she not prepare lunch for the kids herself? Being Muslim also means being kind to your servants, especially during Ramzan. Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
ETBLOGS1987
Well written article. I would like to point out however that the story about Marie Antoinette is highly disputed and widely believed to have been made up to encourage the anti-monarchy sentiment during the French Revolution.
@shahdin: You chided the author for asking the question 'what about equality and tolerance'. So let me ask you, is there equality? Do you also stop people from eating publicly during Lent or Navratris? You don't. Also you dispute what the author says about Hindus and Christians being too petrified to eat and say that it is because they too respect Ramazan. The thing is they may respect your sentiments but that is no reason for them not to eat if not for fear. Even in India we respect each other's festivals but that does not mean Hindus fast during Ramazan or Muslims fast during Navaratri.
Someone should write an article about socialites' unsatiable need to tell the world that they 'work for a living'.
The point of Ramadan is to pray, fast and do vigorous ibadah, now if on account of this someones efficiency level drops, i think that is acceptable, its just one month of the year. However I do agree some people use this month to slack off, to the extent that they think of this month as God given vacations. I think it was unfair to ask the cook for food because he himself would have been fasting and well you know how it goes. In a nutshell i see no harm to 'go slow' if it is on account of ibadah, that is what this month is for, you talk about being tolerant and understanding, well you should try to understand there are pious people out their with intentions of dedicatiing this month completely for ibadah. Ciao!
A great deal of introspection is needed about our basic values .
A....Where does our religion say that work can be ignored during Ramazan? I thought the precise idea was to continue regular life without food and water, not to slip into a coma.
B;...The bank looked abandoned and the teller was sitting in his seat with his head down on the table, possibly snoozing. He was, at any rate, not happy about being bothered
This is the heart of article,............
Writer lost the plot after making good point with good examples. Poor Finish.
Well put. IN MY OPINION, Pakistan's image as a tolerant country will be enhanced if it withdraws the Ehteram-e-Ramazan Ordinance in 1981.
Bang on Juggun ! Though i have always felt that in Ramazan my productivity of work increases much more but somehow its sad when we hear people saying that due to Ramazan our productivity goes down. Its just a lame excuse one makes to take no responsibility of their actions during fasting.
The article is well-written excluding this part 'Pakistani Christians and Hindus are so petrified of eating in public during Ramazan that many of them also fast, just for their own safety. What happened to equality and tolerance?' Being with Christians for most part of my school and professional life, I can tell you that yes, they may be reluctant to eat in public, however that is not due to them being 'petrified' it is because most of the time they respect Ramazan. Also to say that 'many of them fast just for their own safety' is a absolutely fallacious as I have never seen Christians or Hindus fast for their safety in Ramazan. Additionally, by saying 'what happened to equality and tolerance' negativity is being promoted and any person from the minority sect who reads this shall quote this as another of the vast number of examples they use to show how they are being mistreated in Pakistan.
Why, why, why is this Op-Ed and not a blog? People get paid to right op-ed pieces right?
Did you bother to find out about the adverse physiological effects of fasting during ramazan? Perhaps it is not an excuse, there is a genuine reason for people being dysfunctional when fasting.
yawn... "dear diary today i learned that any rambling of thoughts can be published"- JK
@juggan: I see a fear in your mind when you said " don’t dare suggest that we get rid of this law" of being "fatwa-sized" and called to be a kaafir by the Molana Hazarat .. ,
no freedom of speech - still.
Zia ul Haq did the harm which nobody dare to rectify. Why ? because in Pakistan we sleep, walk, and eat on religion but never dare to discuss it on a national level
politics must be separated from religion
I don't think there is any flaw in your points or work of writing. Your opinions are very well said out. People should be serious or professional in their working hours. Tolerance and acceptance are the qualities we should hold as good citizens. And by the way, although you wouldn't dare say that Ehteram-e-Ramazan be removed but I do. This law should be removed as Pakistan is also home to millions of non-muslims (and muslims who don't fast during this month). Peace is the only solution or substitute to this law. Those who fast will fast on their will and those who don't want to, won't have to.
agree with author and salute the mr islamist who was the symbol of cresent and star on our dear flag
Thank god somebody brought this attitude of 'Muslim' brothers to light. I respect that its Ramazan and people fast but that is no excuse for them to be sullen, not give a hundred percent at work or think they are doing all of us a favour by fasting. The entire purpose of fasting is lost if that is how we behave.
No responses to this great Op-Ed yet? oops I forgot, its Ramzan.
This cannot happen unless the compulsion to fast ends. Not too many are very happy to be fasting, seeing another eat causes great resentment and can lead to bodily harm. Everything has become about symbolism, not substance. If the State had not enforced such rules the show of piousness often contrived would have been greatly reduced.
You know another symptom of this whole self-righteous Ramzan attitude? Your need to apologize for your views consistently throughout the op-ed. Unfortunately, there is such hyper sensitivity in this country about faith, that people seem to love getting outraged about views that perhaps they deliberately misunderstand in order to seem more pious.
I agree with you, and I am going to share this article. Ramzan brings out the hypocrisy in us, and honestly, we act like such stuck up pretentious children, that it really beats the purpose.
I just wish that you didn't have to excuse yourself out of fear that someone will be upset by your perfectly fair views:
You weren't disturbing him. He was doing his job! :)
You don't. Your views are very fair. It is a real pity that we have to explain ourselves to painstaking lengths in this country.