As Ramadan begins, celebs share how the holy month brings a renewed sense of purpose
Ramadan, also called Ramzan, is not just about fasting, but also nourishing the spirit and purifying the soul. It is a time to think beyond the self, connect to one’s compassionate side and join the loved ones in fasting, followed by feasting. Celebs talk about the significance of the holy month and how they are observing it.
Act of kindness
Vikrant Saluja in TV show Mannat—Har Khushi Paane Ki, Adnan Khan, feels way more connected to his compassionate side in the month of Ramadan. He looks forward to it every year and hopes to observe roza. He started doing it as a kid, but could not follow it for a while before becoming a regular. “Somehow, through the month, my materialist needs taper off and so do things that feed my ego. I am inclined towards acts of kindness than being self-centred through it all,” says Adnan.
Strong commitment
For actor Zain Imam, Ramadan is a significant month. “It is a time for fasting, prayer, reflection and community service. Fasting from dawn till sunset, we abstain from food and drink to develop self-discipline, empathy for the less fortunate and a closer connection to God. Since it’s a month to ask for forgiveness too, we do it with all the heart and soul,” shares Zain, who has been keeping roza for three years. Since he is shooting this year, he is determined to keep as many as he can. “It gets a tad difficult to be in roza and act. But a missed fast can be compensated after Ramadan too,” avers Zain, who gained fame playing Neil Khanna in Star Plus show Naamkaran.
Family time
Actor Sheizaan Khan feels Ramadan is a very special time and the entire 30-day period is akin to a festival. While the celebrations have changed over the years, he has fond memories of his childhood, when he would visit his grandparents and exchange Iftaari with the neighbours. “It was always a joyous and communal experience,” he reminiscences. Sheizaan tries his best to observe fast on all the 30 days, though sometimes he misses a few. “However, I always make it a point to be present for Iftaari,” he smiles. “Ramadan teaches us patience, discipline and self-control. Fasting is a way to strengthen our willpower and stay away from negativity, arguments or wrongdoings—not just during this month but throughout the year,” shares Sheizaan, who celebrates Iftaari at home with his family, praying and enjoying the meal. “My favourite Iftaari dishes are onion pakoras, fruit salad and sheer kurma,” he shares.
Hina Khan sticks to her routine during Ramadan
Despite facing several health challenges, actress Hina Khan has also decided to fast this holy month. She used social media to share her Ramadan routine with netizens. She took to her Instagram handle and dropped a clip of her latest workout session. “Trying to keep up with my daily routine...Go slow and take it easy…Ramadan Day 1...Howz the josh guyysss,”, she wrote. Lately, Hina Khan revealed that she found it ‘hard to keep going’ after undergoing major surgery in her battle with cancer. She disclosed that it was difficult for her to keep going through this tough recovery phase. The actress, who amassed a huge fan-base by playing Akshara Maheshwari Singhania in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, revealed during an event that her chemotherapy and surgery were over, and she was presently undergoing immunotherapy. IANS
