MASARRAT MISBAH ON RAMADAN, SPIRITUALITY AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS
by ASJAD NAZIR
KINDNESS is a quality closely connected to Ramadan and for Masarrat Misbah, that act of making a positive difference has become her life’s mission.
Instead of being content with her business empire and mountain of awards, the legendary Pakistani beauty entrepreneur turned philanthropist has been tirelessly helping victims of acid attacks and kerosene oil burns in various ways with her Depilex Smile Again Foundation (DSAF) since 2003. She has also helped to change government policy for acid attack victims and inspired many others.
Her kindness is rooted in her spiritual belief of helping others, so that is why she will spend this holy month helping others, praying for them and raising awareness.
Eastern Eye caught up with the inspirational Masarrat Misbah to discuss her Ramadan plans, spirituality and making a difference.
How has lockdown been for you?
This Covid-19 pandemic spread has taught us many lessons. We fully adopted the new normal, including social distancing and working from home. I’m always optimistic and hopeful of the blessings of Allah, so have taken things as a learning opportunity. I spent quality time with my parents, children and grandchildren. I’m a businesswoman and had to reform (my company) Depilex accordingly. I had to also ensure that the burn victims registered with DSAF were looked after during lockdown. So, we raised funds and provided essentials to the families.
How will you spend Ramadan this year?
Ramadan is the month of blessings. Most of my time is devoted to prayers and thanking Allah for all the blessings. My Ramadan is also dedicated to helping burn victims registered with DSAF. Like every year, I will participate in Ramadan special transmissions hosted by leading TV channels and focus on issues relating to human rights, and violence against women in particular. I highlight the respect and rights which Islam has bestowed on women. Appeals will be made for philanthropists to help DSAF in reviving the lives of victims who are suffering because of the atrocities of acid throwing.
Masarrat Misbah with a burn victim
You help acid burn victims throughout Ramadan and raise funds for them. How does the holy month affect you?
As humans we tend to take everything in life for granted and forget to thank our creator for his many blessings. But during Ramadan, fasting instils in us a sense of gratitude. It makes us appreciate the value of food. Gratitude elevates our taqwah. Consequently, we become more compassionate towards the poor and needy. We give charity in the name of Allah and that brings us closer to the Almighty.
How do you structure your workday during Ramadan?
My workday starts at the Depilex beauty clinic, which is my business hub. I make sure clients are served well and safety precautions are fully implemented. In the afternoons, I usually participate in special Ramadan programmes telecast live by various national TV channels. After that, I go home and have iftar with my family. Then there are some scheduled social media sessions and webinars, where I’m invited as a guest speaker or panellist. Sometimes I’m invited to official iftar dinners also.
What are your fondest memories of Ramadan?
I try and spend Ramadan with my family in Karachi and it becomes festive. The whole family gets together for iftar, where we have delicious dishes prepared by my sisters and mother, followed by prayer to thank the Almighty for his unending blessings. The day ends with taraweeh at home. Sometimes our neighbours also join us. My fondest memory is that one day my father decided to make halwa. The kitchen was all topsy-turvy, but the end result was delicious halwa that was enjoyed by everyone.
What are your favourite foods during the holy month?
I like to have balanced, healthy food. While we enjoy potato fritters or other fried items, we make sure to have fruits for a healthy balance. There are lentil fritters that my mother makes, and those are my favourite.
What do you do to stay healthy?
Drinking plenty of water, brisk walks, proper sleep and positive thinking are the fundamental principles to remain healthy. Having good eating habits makes me fit and energetic. I eat everything in the right portions and my choice of food is always healthy, and organic.
How much has spirituality helped you?
Belief in Allah and spirituality has always helped me in life. Spiritual strength helps to overcome hardships. It restores hope and optimism. It has helped me develop a more hopeful outlook in life. It strengthens my bond with Allah Almighty. Helping his creatures further strengthens that bond.
Have your spiritual beliefs affected your work?
DSAF is very close to my heart. It was established to help people in need. Years back a lady in a veil walked into my salon and asked me to make her beautiful. I was left silent for a moment when I found her face was mutilated because of acid throwing. I believe this happened for a reason, because Allah has chosen me to help burn victims. My belief in Allah gave me power to work for humanity and I feel blessed for this. Not only this, Allah subhana talla has given me the opportunity to support the livelihood of women and men by employing them at Depilex beauty clinics.
What are you most thankful for during this Ramadan?
It’s not only the month of Ramadan, but it is every day of the year that I thank Allah for his unlimited blessings. The best way to do this is to help his people who are in need. We should all help them always, but specially during Ramadan, as Allah has promised us forgiveness for our past sins if we beg him for forgiveness sincerely. It is the best time to repent for our mistakes, pray and recharge our relationship with Allah.
What can we expect next from you?
I would like to see all the acid burn victims being empowered and I want to make them smile. I would like them to stand on their feet and fight for their rights while fulfilling their responsibilities.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by historical Islamic female personalities and learn from their life experiences. I look up to Hazrat Khadija (RA), who was more than Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) confidante and companion – a wealthy businesswoman and trader, she supported him morally and financially when he was granted prophethood. The others to follow were Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA), who transmitted expanses of knowledge from him, became a great jurist and scholar. Umme Salama’s (RA) counsel was accepted by the Prophet at the time of the treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Hafsa (RA), daughter of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab was the first person to be entrusted with the written Qu’ran after the death of her father.
Crowd control concerns led to the early closure of one of the main stages at the Parklife festival on its final day, prompting the cancellation of two anticipated DJ performances. The Matinee stage at Manchester’s Heaton Park was closed on Sunday evening, 15 June, after organisers acted on safety advice from their event team.
Attendees were instructed to leave the area as the show was paused. Later in the evening, festival organisers confirmed that the stage would remain shut for the rest of the night.
Josh Baker and Chris Stussy unable to perform
Local DJ Josh Baker and Danish artist Chris Stussy were both scheduled to perform at the Matinee stage. Baker, who was due to play from 6.30pm to 8pm, shared a message on Instagram, saying: “Unfortunately, I will not be performing at Parklife due to reasons outside of my control. I deeply apologise. I can't really put into words what today was going to mean for me.”
Chris Stussy had been due to headline the stage with a three-hour set from 8pm to 11pm. He also addressed the cancellation on Instagram, saying he was “really gutted” and emphasised that “safety comes first,” noting the stage was shut due to overcrowding.
Festival issues official statement
An in-app message from the Parklife festival initially alerted attendees that the Matinee stage show had been paused, with further updates to follow. A full statement later explained the rationale behind the decision.
Festival organisers confirmed that the stage would remain shut for the rest of the night.Manchester News
“As a result of crowd movement at the Matinee Stage and on the advice of our safety team to remove the risk of any potential incidents, Parklife made the decision to close the stage for the remainder of the final day of the festival,” said a spokesperson.
Safety prioritised over rescheduling
Organisers added that it was not feasible to move the affected performances to another venue within the festival grounds. “Unfortunately it has been impossible to relocate Josh Baker’s and Chris Stussy’s performances to a new stage,” the statement said. “The safety of our festival attendees is always our utmost priority.”
Despite the disruption at the Matinee stage, the rest of the Parklife festival continued as scheduled, and no injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
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The house, designed as a symbol of enduring love and modesty
In Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, Anand Prakash Chouksey has built a striking replica of the Taj Mahal — not as a monument to grandeur, but as a tribute to his wife. The house, designed as a symbol of enduring love and modesty, has captured the internet’s attention following a viral video tour.
The house is a four-bedroom property built using Makrana marble — the same stone used in the original Taj Mahal in Agra. While the original monument's dimensions are in metres, Chouksey’s version was constructed using scaled-down measurements in feet. This results in a structure roughly one-third the size of the original, but retaining key architectural elements such as domes, carved pillars, and Mughal-style arches.
Located on school campus founded by owner
What makes the house even more distinctive is its location within the grounds of a school established by Chouksey himself. In a now-viral video shared by content creator Priyam Saraswat, Chouksey offers a tour of the home and highlights personal touches embedded in its design.
One notable detail is a buffalo motif on the floor — a nod to Chouksey’s early life distributing milk. He explained that this reminder of his humble beginnings serves as a daily lesson in staying grounded and avoiding arrogance.
Viral video receives overwhelming praise
The video, shared on Instagram, quickly gained traction, racking up over 6.5 million views within just eight hours. Viewers were drawn not only to the impressive architecture but also to the emotional story behind the home.
Comments across social media praised the gesture and the message it conveyed. “Uncle has a more beautiful heart than his Mahal,” one user wrote, while another highlighted the buffalo symbol as a meaningful lesson in humility. Many also remarked on the positive energy and “cool vibe” of the homeowner.
Promoting unity through design
Inside, the home reflects a blend of traditional Islamic design and modern interiors. Future plans reportedly include placing the Indian national flag on top of the structure and adding symbols from India’s major religions on the minarets. According to Chouksey, the aim is to promote a message of unity and peace in an often divided world.
The replica Taj Mahal in Burhanpur stands not only as an architectural feat but also as a reminder of love, simplicity, and the importance of staying connected to one’s roots.
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A one-hour delay in sleep routine is linked to a sharper drop in cognition over time, the study found
A night owl, or an evening person with a late sleep-wake cycle, could be at a higher risk of cognitive decline with age compared to an early bird or a morning person, a study has found.
Chronotype refers to one’s sleep-wake type or times during the day when one naturally tends to be awake and asleep. A ‘night owl’ chronotype is said to have a later sleep-wake cycle, compared to an ‘early bird’ or a ‘lark’.
“Are you an early bird or a night owl? It’s hard to adjust what your biological clock – your so-called chronotype – is, but you can adjust your life to it as best you can,” study author Ana Wenzler, from the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands, said.
Analysing the performance of about 23,800 participants on a cognitive test over a period of 10 years, the study found that ‘evening’ people decline cognitively faster than ‘morning’ people. The findings have been published in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.
“Unhealthy behaviour such as smoking, drinking and unhealthy eating happens more often in the evening,” Wenzler said.
“In our study, we also saw this: evening people smoke and drink more often and exercise less. Twenty-five per cent of the risk of cognitive decline can be explained from our research by smoking and poor sleep,” she said.
A greater decline was seen in higher-educated people – a delay of an hour in the sleep-wake cycle corresponded to a decline of 0.8 in cognition per decade. Wenzler said the decline might be related to their disturbed sleep rhythm.
“They are often people who have to go back to work early in the morning and are likely to sleep too short, giving their brains too little rest,” she said.
The author explained that people’s biological clock can change with age.
“Children are morning people. That changes when you reach puberty, when you become an evening person. Around your 20s, that gradually shifts back towards morning people for most people. By the age of 40, most people are morning people again,” Wenzler said.
However, this is certainly not the case for everyone, which is probably why evening people deviate from the norm, according to Wenzler, who recommended working against one’s body “as little as possible”.
“’You can try to go to sleep earlier, but if your body is not yet producing melatonin (sleep hormone), it will not work,” she said.
Wenzler added that if people are forced to work against their natural rhythm, their brains may not get enough rest, increasing the risk of unhealthy habits. “It would help if evening types were given the option to start work later,” she said.
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Father’s Day reflects a wide range of traditions shaped by history, culture and emotion
Father’s Day is often seen as a time for cards, tools or a family lunch, but across the globe, it carries a much deeper significance. Beyond the commercial promotions, Father’s Day reflects a wide range of traditions shaped by history, culture and emotion. While some mark the occasion with grand gestures, others focus on quiet reflection, respect and the bonds that define fatherhood.
Thailand’s day of respect
In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on 5 December, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The day is as much about honouring the nation’s former monarch as it is about celebrating fatherhood. Citizens wear yellow, the king’s birth colour, and present canna lilies to their fathers as a symbol of gratitude and respect. It’s a cultural blend of familial and national reverence.
Germany’s tradition of brotherhood
Germany takes a different approach. Known as Vatertag, or Father’s Day, it coincides with Ascension Day and is often marked by groups of men going on hiking trips, pulling wagons of food and drink. While it may appear more social than family-oriented, the tradition is rooted in camaraderie and shared responsibility among men and father figures.
Remembering fathers in Mexico
In Mexico and across parts of Latin America, Father’s Day is a time to honour both the living and the departed. Families often visit cemeteries to pay tribute to late fathers and gather to share stories and memories. It’s a day that highlights legacy over materialism, where the emotional role of a father is celebrated beyond life itself.
The expanding meaning in India
In India, Father’s Day doesn’t have deep historical roots, but its popularity is growing among urban families. Influenced by Western customs, it is increasingly used to recognise not only biological fathers, but also mentors, guardians and elders who provide support and guidance. The day is evolving into a broader celebration of male role models across generations.
A shared message worldwide
Though celebrated in different ways, Father’s Day across cultures shares a central idea: appreciation. Whether through a gift, a walk, a meal or a memory, the day is about acknowledging the role fathers and father figures play in shaping lives. In a time when traditional family structures are changing, this occasion also highlights that fatherhood is defined not just by biology, but by love, responsibility and care.
A thoughtful reminder
Rather than focus on finding the perfect present, Father’s Day offers an opportunity to be present. A simple message, a phone call or a shared moment can mean more than any physical gift. In a fast-moving world, slowing down to recognise those who’ve quietly supported us is perhaps the most meaningful tribute we can give.
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The alert is based on elevated geomagnetic activity levels
A rare display of the aurora borealis was expected over Hertfordshire after a red alert was issued on Friday, 13 June, by space weather experts. The phenomenon, also known as the Northern Lights, is expected to be seen across large parts of the UK if conditions remain clear.
Red alert signals strong aurora activity
AuroraWatch UK, a monitoring service run by Lancaster University’s Space and Planetary Physics group, issued a red alert on Friday morning. According to the service, this means: “It is likely that aurora will be visible by eye and camera from anywhere in the UK.”
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The alert is based on elevated geomagnetic activity levels, which are often triggered by solar storms interacting with Earth’s magnetic field.
Best time and places to watch
While the exact time of visibility has not been confirmed, previous sightings of the aurora borealis have typically occurred between 11 pm and the early hours of the morning. Experts recommend heading to dark, open spaces away from streetlights for the best chance of witnessing the lights.
What causes the aurora borealis?
The aurora borealis occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. Oxygen creates green light, while nitrogen can produce shades of purple, pink, or blue.
Skywatchers are advised to monitor AuroraWatch UK for real-time updates.