A 23-year-old rider, Mohammad Mohsin, said his daily earnings have fallen from around 1,500 rupees ($5.38) to about 1,100 rupees as petrol prices climbed above 320 rupees per litre. “Before it was all mine. Now, a huge sum goes into petrol,” he said.

The spike in fuel prices is hitting low-paid urban workers particularly hard, with many riders struggling to cover basic expenses, let alone seasonal spending associated with Eid. Reuters spoke to more than half a dozen riders across Karachi, all of whom said higher petrol costs had significantly reduced their take-home earnings.

The squeeze comes despite increased demand for deliveries during Ramadan evenings and the Eid period, when food orders typically surge.

Pakistan’s inflation rate, which peaked at 38% in 2023, has eased but remains elevated at around 7%, continuing to push up the cost of food, rent and utilities. Many gig workers earn below the monthly minimum wage of 32,000 rupees ($114.67), with no fixed salaries or employment benefits.

Riders said the combined impact of inflation and fuel costs has eroded their purchasing power, forcing them to prioritise essentials over customary holiday spending.

Companies reliant on gig workers, including foodpanda, say they are adjusting pricing and taking steps to support rider earnings.

However, workers say these measures have not kept pace with rising costs, leaving them to compensate by spending more hours on the road.

Austerity measures, school closures and increased work-from-home practices have also reduced ride-hailing demand, cutting into incomes even as delivery volumes rise.

“We cannot afford clothes or shoes,” said Hizbullah, a 26-year-old delivery rider, reflecting a broader sentiment among workers that a typically festive period has become financially strained.

The event, which took place during the holy month of Ramadan, was attended by prominent figures, including Chief Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, as well as ambassadors from several countries, including United Arab Emirates’ Ambassador Abdulnasser Alshaali and Azerbaijan’s envoy.

The official Twitter handle of Israel in India shared moments from the evening, describing it as, “An unforgettable evening at the Ambassador Reuven Azar’s residence, an #Iftar gathering that brought a wonderful group of community leaders and diplomats, all united by good food and music It is a beautiful reminder of how sharing a feast together can create strong bonds and bring people closer”.

Journalist Ayushi Agarwal from ANI highlighted the significance of the occasion, tweeting, “Israeli ambassador to India Reuven Azar hosts an Iftaar dinner at his residence in New Delhi to celebrate Ramadan. Chief Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Ambassadors from various countries including the United Arab Emirates’ Abdulnasser Alshaali and Azerbaijan amongst others present at the gathering”.

The Iftar event in New Delhi exemplifies the power of cultural diplomacy, fostering respect, understanding, and unity. It underscores the evolving India-Israel relationship, extending beyond defense and technology to cultural and people-to-people ties. This gathering reaffirms Israel’s commitment to strengthening bonds with India’s Muslim community and enhancing diplomatic ties with Islamic nations.

Beirut (AP) — Large parts of the Muslim world marked the end of the fasting month of Ramadan at sundown Thursday and ushered in the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, but the festivities were overshadowed by raging battles for control of Sudan and a deadly stampede in Yemen.

In other parts of the region, the holiday came against the backdrop of reconciliation and rapprochement between former rivals.

The Islamic calendar is lunar and depends on the sighting of the moon — something Muslim religious authorities tend to disagree on. Ramadan sees worshippers fasting daily from dawn to sunset, ending with Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

This year again, the holiday comes amid fighting and devastation, particularly in the Middle East.

In Sudan, the holiday was eclipsed by raging battles between the army and its rival paramilitary force, despite two attempted cease-fires. The fighting since Saturday has killed hundreds of people and wounded thousands.

In Yemen, the Arab world’s most impoverished nation, a stampede late Wednesday at a charitable event in the rebel-held capital of Sanaa killed at least 78 people and injured 77.

Religious authorities in both Sudan and Yemen said they will mark the start of Eid al-Fitr on Friday.

In Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population worldwide, the second-largest Islamic group, Muhammadiyah — with over 60 million members — said that according to its astronomical calculations, the holiday of Eid al-Fitr starts on Friday. However, the country’s religious affairs minister had announced on Thursday that the start of the holiday would fall on Saturday.

In some places, tensions and fighting had calmed. Long-time Mideast rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed last month to restore diplomatic ties after China-brokered negotiations — an ongoing reconciliation that has deescalated proxy wars in the region.

Saudi officials and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen recently began talks in Sanaa and during the last days of Ramadan exchanged hundreds of prisoners captured in Yemen’s civil war, which erupted in 2014.

Riyadh also sent its top diplomat to Syria to meet with President Bashar Assad on Tuesday, a significant step towards ending his political isolation and potentially returning the war-torn country to the Arab League.

However, Tehran and Riyadh disagreed on the start of he holiday — for Saudis, Eid al-Fitr would begin Friday while officials in Iran said it starts on Saturday.

The start of the holiday is traditionally based on sightings of the new moon, which vary according to geographic location, while some countries rely on astronomical calculations rather than physical sightings to determine the start of Eid al-Fitr.

United Arab Emirates and Qatar, followed Saudi Arabia and announced the holiday would begin for them on Friday, while their Gulf Arab neighbor, Oman, declared that the moon had not been sighted and the holiday would begin on Saturday.

Iraq’s Sunni authorities announced the holiday would begin Friday, while the country’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, set a Saturday start date. The governments of Lebanon and Syria, both in the throes of crippling economic crises, said Friday would mark the beginning of the dayslong holiday.

Indonesia’s Security Minister Mohammad Mahfud called on Muslims to be respectful of each other’s celebrations, and asked Muhammadiyah members to have their holiday feasts at home — in consideration of the Muslims who would still be fasting on Friday.

The country’s roads and highways were gridlocked as millions crammed into trains, ferries, busses and on motorcycles, as they left cities to return to their villages to celebrate with family. The government estimated that more than 123 million travelers were expected to crisscross the vast archipelago that spans 17,000 islands, with about 18 million departing from Jakarta’s greater metropolitan area.

Meanwhile, clerics of Pakistan’s state-backed moon sighting committee announced at a news conference in Islamabad that Eid al-Fitr would be celebrated on Saturday in Pakistan as there were no sightings of the moon there.

Egypt and Jordan said that for them, Eid al-Fitr would begin on Friday. In divided Libya, the religious authorities based in the capital of Tripoli, said it would start on Saturday. In the country’s east, run by a rival administration, authorities marked Friday as the start.

In Afghanistan, the head of the Taliban-appointed judiciary, Abdul Hakim Haqqani, also said the holiday would start on Friday.

This gift is intended to assist individuals in need in celebrating and taking part in the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which celebrates the conclusion of Ramadan.

Zakat a-Fitr is a type of charity that is separate from Zakat, one of Islam’s five pillars. While Zakat is normally paid once a year and calculated based on a person’s wealth, Zakat al-Fitr is paid on an individual basis and has a fixed amount that has been established by Muslim legal scholars.

Depending on the area and the cost of food, different amounts are required for Zakat al-Fitr. It is comparable to the price of one meal or one kilogramme of rice or wheat in the majority of countries. The cost is typically covered by all household members, including minors and the elderly.

The required Zakat al-Fitr donation for residents of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia is $7. The cost is $12 in the US, meanwhile.

There is a different kind of donation known as “Fidya.” This is a fixed sum that a person is required to pay for each day when they are unable to work owing to illness, old age, etc.

Cash or other donations, such food or clothing, are also acceptable forms of zakat al-Fitr. It is crucial to remember that Zakat al-Fitr must be paid before the Eid prayer and cannot be postponed. This is so that those in need can celebrate and enjoy Eid, which is what Zakat al-Fitr is intended to do. Delaying the payment would be in opposition to the goal.

Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, and Dr. Jamal Nasir, the acting minister of health for Pakistan’s Punjab province, joined a number of other officials for a celebration of the occasion at the MWL office in Islamabad.

Regional director for the MWL in Pakistan, Saad bin Masoud Al-Harthy, stated that the programme would provide 3,500 food baskets, each weighing 33 kg and providing a household with food for one month.

Al-Harthy continued by saying that the programme was a component of the humanitarian work the MWL does across Pakistan to address the needs of the populace.

He claimed that many of the nation’s widows and disadvantaged will benefit from the programme.

Nasir thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on behalf of the Pakistani government and people. He also expressed gratitude to the MWL for supporting Pakistan.

In the meantime, Pakistan has received 100 tonnes of dates as a gift from Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Center. In front of a number of prominent Pakistani officials, Al-Malki delivered it.

The present is part of the relief and humanitarian initiatives that King Salman’s government is putting forth to assist families in need all around the world.

Paella from the Spanish pavilion, Azura Tour de Espana, won over visitors’ palates. Beer and wine halal variants also generated interest.

Visitors who set out on a culinary tour of Europe in the heart of Saudi Arabia were treated to a variety of distinct tastes and experiences at Riyadh’s first European Food Festival.

The festival was held on March 16 and 17. It was organised by the EU embassy in Riyadh in collaboration with the various embassies of EU member states, the Saudi Commission for Culinary Arts, and the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh.

Jaap Ora, the project manager for the EU Embassy in Riyadh, officially opened the festival. Ora highlighted his happiness at the event’s planning in his speech, which brings together a number of European nations to introduce their culinary customs to their Saudi friends.

He thanked all the partners, including the Saudi Arabian Chefs Association, the Culinary Arts Commission, and Mayada Badr and her team, for their kind support of the initiative and for bringing a Saudi element, specifically Saudi coffee, to the event. He mentioned devoted hotel partners, including the Hilton Hotel, the Radisson Blu Hotel, and others.

Ora clarified: “The concept of such a festival was born out of the common appreciation for good food that Europeans and Saudis have, as well as our desire to highlight the range and quality of European food and share the richness and refinement of European cuisine available in Saudi Arabia.

“Countries share their cultures among themselves,” he continued. Visitors from other countries laud Saudi Arabia’s culinary customs and friendliness. We encourage you to experience the diversity of European food this evening like tourists visiting the continent.

The festival’s participating nations offered a variety of gastronomic specialties to attendees.

Visitors to Belgium were enchanted by the soft, lightly caramelised Liège waffles. The Danish nation presented drinks and cake with dried fruits, while the Czech Republic featured the greatest cronuts in Prague from the Oh Deer Bakery. Children’s favourite Dutch waffles were served to festival attendees by the Netherlands.

Risotto, pasta, and pizza were served in the French restaurant Chez Bruno, along with refreshing lemonade with cucumbers and elderflower syrup, which has a taste a little like litchi and is renowned for its therapeutic benefits.

The festival featured a number of well-known French bakeries, including La Grenier à Pain, La Vie Claire, Fareen, and Eric Kayser, who provided macarons, madeleines, quiche, brioche, meringues, and croissants loaded with frangipane or pistachio cream. Both children and adults enjoyed the Crêpe House, patiently waiting in line while appreciating and taking in the festival-like ambiance with its diverse colours and aromas.

The Eataly stand included a broad selection of Italian foods, including pizza, cannelloni, lasagna, and outstanding gelato that brought the tastes and sights of Italy to the Kingdom.

Paella from the Spanish pavilion, Azura Tour de Espana, won over visitors’ palates. Beer and wine halal variants also generated interest.

A Flamenco group gave a performance to a lively collection of Spanish songs, and the festival’s atmosphere was improved by the warm singing and elegant dancing.

“Visitors who set out on a culinary tour of Europe in the heart of Saudi Arabia were treated to distinctive tastes and experiences at Riyadh’s inaugural European Food Festival. The festival was put on by the European Union representative in Riyadh in association with the Embassies of EU member states, the Saudi Commission for Culinary Arts, and the Diplomatic Quarter. It took place on March 16 and 17”

Many lotus cakes in the form of domes were available at the Portuguese Delta Cafe. Portuguese songs were also performed by the well-known musical group Al-Manata, which was founded by Portuguese immigrants who met in Saudi Arabia.

News was given an explanation of the association’s competition, which was held in conjunction with the festival, by Yasser Jad, president of the Saudi Arabian Chefs Association and a consultant for the culinary hotel industry.

It’s a two-day tournament that Tamimi Market and Qasr Al-Awani are funding. Since the ingredients for international food originate from EU nations, there are two categories: one for traditional and current Saudi cuisine, and the other for all other cuisines.

A starter and a main dish must be presented by the chef/candidate. Their food must be finished and presented within an hour.

A jury of two, he said, would assign a score based on predetermined standards that they had previously settled upon.

Saudi Royal Court issued a statement, “Saturday, April 2, is the first of Ramadan for the year 1443H”.

Capable Muslims will start offering Taraveeh prayers from Friday evening, after Isha prayers, while Saturday will be the first day of fasting.

It is permissible to fast at the beginning of the month, in the middle or at the end, on consecutive days or separately…

If we want to discover which is better, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays or fasting three days of each month, we find that fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is better than fasting on three days of each month, because if a person fasts on Mondays and Thursdays each week, that means that he is fasting eight days each month, so he will have done both: fasted on Mondays and Thursdays and fasted three days of the month. 

The three days of each month may be fasted at the beginning of the month, in the middle or at the end, and may be done separately or consecutively, but it is better to fast on the ayaam al-beed, which are the days on which the moon is full, namely the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th of each lunar month. 

There follow a number of ahaadeeth which encourage fasting on Mondays and Thursdays: 

1 – It was narrated from Abu Qataadah al-Ansaari that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said: “On that day I was born, and on it the Revelation came to me.” Narrated by Muslim, 1162.

2 – It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was keen to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 745; al-Nasaa’i, 2361; Ibn Maajah, 1739; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1044. 

3 – It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Deeds are shown (to Allaah) on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like my deeds to be shown when I am fasting.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 747; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1041. 

The following ahaadeeth encourage fasting on three days of each month: 

1 – It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “My close friend [the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)] advised me to do three things which I will not give up until I die: fasting three days of each month, praying Duha, and sleeping after Witr”. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1124; Muslim, 721. 

2 – It was narrated from Mu’aadhah al-‘Adawiyyah that she asked ‘Aa’ishah, the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “Did the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fast three days of every month?” She said, “Yes.” She said to her: “Which days of the month did he fast?” She said, “He did not mind which days of the month he would fast.” Narrated by Muslim, 1160. 

3 – It was narrated from Jareer ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Fasting three days of each month is fasting for a lifetime, and ayaam al-beed are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.” Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2420; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1040. 

4 – It was narrated that Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me: “If you fast any part of the month, then fast the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.”  Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 761; al-Nasaa’i, 2424; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1038. 

There is broad scope in the command to fast three days, as it says in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), but the best days of the month for fasting are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth, as it says in the other saheeh ahaadeeth. 

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: When fasting three days of every month, is it essential that it be only on the ayyaam al-beed? Or is it permissible to fast any three days of the month? 

He replied that: It is permissible to fast at the beginning of the month, in the middle or at the end, on consecutive days or separately. But it is better if it is done on the three ayyaam al-beed, which are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth. ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on three days of every month, and he did not mind whether he fasted at the beginning or at the end of the month.

Source — Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 20/question no. 376 .

Verily this is the reality of the days, they quickly pass us by and our appointed times have diminished…

We praise Allah first for granting us Ramadan and then for having guided us to repent, and we ask Him to make you steadfast in adhering to His religion, and to grant us a good end. We should note that we have been greatly blessed and must give thanks to Allah. How many sinners die without having repented? How many of those who are astray die before turning back to their Lord? Undoubtedly the fact that Allah has enabled us to repent is a great event in our life, and this should be a time when we start to obey Him and strive harder in worshipping Him and continuing in throughout our life .

 Some people say that what we have heard about repentance, prayer and fasting not being accepted from one who has committed major sins is false, and it is speaking about Allah without knowledge. There is a great deal of evidence in the Book of Allah and the sunnah (teaching) of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to indicate that Allah accepts His slave’s repentance from all sins, no matter how great they are, and it is not permissible for anyone to try to stop a person repenting, no matter how great and how heinous his sins. 

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Say: O ‘Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [39:53] 

Allah says, stating that He forgives the greatest of sins (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And those who invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, nor kill such a person as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit adultery whoever does this shall receive the punishment.”

The torment will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;

Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [25:68-70] 

Al-Tirmidhi narrated that Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, said: ‘O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness from Me, I would forgive you and I would not mind.’” [Saheeh alal-Tirmidhi]

With repentance we have to reflect that the days are passing quickly and we have to increase in worship and good deeds so as to please Allah.

 A point of reflection- O servants of Allah- is that last year we welcomed Ramadhaan and then bade it farewell. Then, we waited for the next Ramadhaan and saw it as being far away. Yet, here it is upon us and one of us says to himself or his brother. ‘How fast the days have past. I swear by Allah it was as if it was yesterday we bade farewell to the last Ramadhaan and here it is today we begin the current Ramadhaan.’

Verily this is the reality of the days, they quickly pass us by and our appointed times have diminished. One of us says – O servants of Allah- if the year passes by, My age has increased a year’ but the reality of the affair is that certainly his age has decreased by a year as one’s age is limited and one’s appointed time is limited. And verily the reality of the affair is that it is not but steps (closer to death) and Allah knows best when those steps will end. Verily, O servants of Allah, it is but just days which we spend and they spend us as they quickly move us to our appointed time.

Verily, this reality – O servants of Allah – reminds us of the statement of Our Lord the Most High:

وَاضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا كَمَاءٍ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهِ نَبَاتُ الْأَرْضِ فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيمًا تَذْرُوهُ الرِّيَاحُ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُّقْتَدِرًا

And put forward to them the example of the life of this world, it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is Able to do everything. [Al-Kahf: 45]

Verily this life – O servants of Allah – quickly passes us by, it quickly passes us by and our condition is not except three: Youth, then old age and then death. (Like the line of poetry says):

‘The last thing an individual is called is ‘old man ‘ and what follows that from the names he is given is ‘the deceased’.

So glad tidings – O servants of Allah- for the one who reflects upon that which has passed and revived the present and what will come with righteous actions.

So reflect O you who have intellects.

Source: Abdurrahman.org.

The gracious act was carried out by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, in collaboration with Kingdom’s embassy in India’s capital city of New Delhi.

The distribution of dates took place with all the precautionary measures and protocols against the COVID-19 disease.

Saudi Arabia is currently distributing dates in 24 countries as King Salman’s gift, through religious attaches and affiliated cultural Islamic centers.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom is also preparing to launch an Iftar program in 16 countries to provide Iftar-meals to the Muslims during Ramadan. The program is to start next week, which will be in line with COVID-19 health protocols