For celebrated vocalist Waheed Jeelani, Ramadan is a month for special prayers

Waheed Jeelani, celebrated vocalist, music composer and art promoter in Kashmir, is fasting every day in the ongoing holy month of Ramadan, which began last week. “This is a pious month, so I try my best to get close to the Almighty,” said Jeelani.

He added that the month was considered the holiest in the Islamic calendar and meant to seek forgiveness from God. For Jeelani, the fasting days are almost like a normal day at work. The only difference is to schedule the work keeping in mind the timing of prayers during the day. “I schedule my work keeping in mind the prayer timing during the day. For example, I slot my work from morning to afternoon and then after the Zuhr (afternoon) prayers till Iftar. I ensure that I reach home every day before the Iftar timing because in Kashmir families try to break the fast with other members,” he added. For Iftar, the sunset meal, he prefers to break the fast with a glass of sharbat, dates and a bowl of fruit chaat. “After evening prayers, I have my dinner,” he said, before getting ready for the Taraweeh (special Ramadan prayers in the evening.” He prefers to have rice with vegetables or any non-vegetarian dish at the Sehri—the pre-dawn meal before the fasting begins.