A woman is abusing her maid by hitting her, cursing at her and bullying her to the point of tears.
A mother is hitting her child, roughing up the little boy with a shake and finally a few more spanks, causing him to cry even louder before dragging him off.
A couple is arguing, the man raises his voice before slapping the woman, and then pulls her out of the mall. What would you do? Just give them an evil look? Would you call the police? Would you go over and try to guide them away from their abusive behavoir?
These are some of the scenarios presented and addressed in Ramadan television shows. This year, some shows also tackle religious issues and misconceptions given the rise of extremism. For example, one show on MBC called Madarek explores social issues from an Islamic perspective. In one episode, the show explored whether a husband has any right to his wife’s salary.
On the show, one woman stated her case that her husband wasn’t paying for important things around the house, and after she had “waited and waited”, she had finally decided to just get them herself using all of her salary. Since then, she continues to work to pay things for the house and the kids.
“He says he is pressured, he has many debts and I should help out, and so I do, but whatever is left from my salary he takes as well, so I feel so drained and tired,” she said.
The response, according to Islamic teachings, was her husband has no right to her money, unless she willingly and with full consent gave it to him.
Reactions to this sensitive topic on social media included comments by women who said that men today are more selfish and don’t take up the role of real men of the past, where a husband would take up responsibility of taking care of the expenses while the wife took care of the children and house.
“If a wife does nothing, then OK, the husband has a right to feel cheated, but if she does fulfil her traditional role of caretaker of his home and children, then he should fulfil his,” said one viewer on social media.
I’m not sure why we wait until Ramadan to bring up important social issues, but somehow it provides an outlet where everyone and anyone feels it is OK to discuss issues openly and tackle debates they may have kept quiet about rest of the year.
Perhaps it has something to do with the spiritual purpose of Ramadan, where besides fasting of the body and the soul, and giving charity and spending time in worship and prayers, it is time to say goodbye to bad habits and thoughts.
The first Ramadan took place during summer and hence takes its name from the word “Ramida”, denoting intense heat. It is also called Ramadan because it burns away the sins of believers. So it is a chance to start afresh and new, but it takes a lot inner determination for real change to happen. One can start small, using the example of a good friend of mine, who between her favourite TV shows, during the commercials, reads books on Islamic history and stories of the companions of the Prophet. In just one evening, she finished a whole book as there were so many commercials.
From gaining knowledge to entertainment to prayers and family time, Ramadan is truly a special time. We must do our best not to allow it to become yet another commercially driven occasion.
It is a rare time to do more than watch issues raised on television, but be part of actively fixing them.
rghazal@thenational.ae
On Twitter: @Arabianmau
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Pieces of Her
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: AF Senad, Nathan Crosse (jockey), Kareem Ramadan (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Ashjaan, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Amirah, Conner Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Jap Al Yaasoob, Szczepan Mazur, Irfan Ellahi.
4pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Manhunter, Ryan Curatolo, Mujeeb Rahman.
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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