It cost just three rupees. Squashed between a doughy naan and seasoned with a splash of green chutney of dubious provenance, the ‘samosa-naan’ was sold for three bucks a pop at my college. With the triple dose of carbs – potatoes, pastry and naan – it was obviously filling. Less obvious is how satisfying the concoction was: the naan’s rubbery dough, the crushed but still crisp samosa shell, the spicy potatoes with little bursts of flavor in the form of anardana (dried pomegranate seeds) and dhaniya (coriander) seeds, the tart chutney. Is talk of textural complexity too pretentious for what is essentially a meal of necessity? I say no.  Read more... (943 words, 1 image, estimated 3:46 mins reading time)

You’re up even before the cock crows and the faint light of dawn is still very distant. But in spite of the ungodly hour, the entire household is up and about, and the house is vibrating with the sounds of clattering dishes and the wafting aroma of fried eggs, oily parathas, delicious Khajla, pheeni and steaming tea. That’s sehri for you in Ramadan. During the Holy month of Ramadan confectioners were busy preparing oriental delicacies such as “Khajla” and “Pheni”, small pancakes and vermicelli soaked in milk with sugar.  Read more... (155 words, 1 image, estimated 37 secs reading time)

As always Engro Foods celebrates the spirit of Ramadan. Engro has been renowned for its copies especially for the Ramadan. This year too Engro has challenged its self to go beyond and it has raised the bar even further which would be very difficult for anyone to challenge. It’s been 3 years now that Olpers brand is making some extra ordinary ads for Ramadan. I am so proud of the fact that our own local marketers turn out something utterly fabulous every year.  Read more... (184 words, 4 images, estimated 44 secs reading time)

The Ramadan timings for sehar and iftar varies from place to place. It is almost impossible to provide timings information about each and every place or city with accuracy. It will be good option to rely on those calendars provided by the shop owners during Ramadan as souvenir if you are living in Pakistan or to consult nearby mosque if you are living abroad to avoid any confusion regarding the timings.  Read more... (117 words, 1 image, estimated 28 secs reading time)

When beginning the fast- Sehar

وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ

Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan

I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan
[abu Dawud]

When breaking the fast- Iftar

اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ [وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ] وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ

In almost all Parts of the globe the graceful month of Ramadan has set in (in Pakistan it will commence from 23rd August); the month, during which the gates of Mercy are wide open, the gates of Hell are shut and the Shayateen are chained up. It is a month chosen by Allah (swt) as a month of fasting; an act of Ibadat that Allah (swt) made special to Him. He (swt) favored this month over all other months by making it the month of mercy and reverence for all the believers.  Read more... (351 words, 1 image, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

According to +6 GMT following is the schedule for Sehar o iftar for the dwellers of Karachi. The timings are to be checked or compared with near by mosques to avoid any confusion.