KARACHI: Muslims around the world are observing the holy month of Ramadan under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. This lockdown has resulted in the closure of restaurants and social distancing, forcing most people to arrange their sehr and iftar meals at home.
Arab News asked various Pakistani celebrities about their experience of spending the fasting month at home with their families.

FAYSAL QURAISHI

A famous actor and television show host, Faysal Quraishi is cautious while fasting in summer and increases his fruit intake.
“I love to have a bowl of watermelon during iftar. I also eat cottage cheese and sometimes consume dry fruits. Devouring a pizza slice or whatever is cooked at home is usually the last course of my meal.”
Quraishi takes milk and oats while beginning to fast since they keep him energetic throughout the day. He says that he also consumes a slice of bread with eggs and coffee.
The Pakistani star believes fasting already helps control one’s health and diet. However, he makes sure to drink at least three liters of water between dusk and dawn.

BILAL ASHRAF

Bilal Ashraf has gained a lot of fame through his films. A fitness freak, he says that his iftar table is not that exciting. He breaks his fast with dates and water before going for a walk.
Ashraf says Ramadan this year is pretty much the same for him.
“I have always been at home for sehr and iftar with my family. The only difference is that we are staying home and not rushing back to our residence for iftar and sehr from work and night cricket matches this year!”
The popular actor likes to keep things simple, though he increases his fruit and water intake during Ramadan to stay hydrated.
“I take dates or any other fruit with water during iftar. Sometimes, I put some lemon in my water or mix vitamin C tablets in it. If I am very hungry, I take boiled eggs. And yes – black coffee is a must.”
Ashraf is trying to eat healthy and clean by avoiding any fried stuff, junk food and bad carbs or fats.

SAMI KHAN

Sami Khan says spending Ramadan with family is always a blessing, though it is different this time due to the pandemic.
“We were extremely involved in worldly and materialistic things. So Allah wanted us to stop for a while and be thankful for all the blessings like Ramadan.”
Khan loves breaking his fast with dates. He is trying to eat healthy during Ramadan and wants to consume good calories.
“This year, I have changed my iftar items: Rather than consuming pakoras, fruit chaat and other stuff, I go for dinner right after breaking my fast.”

JUNAID KHAN

Junaid Khan, the busiest drama actor these days, is enjoying Ramadan with his family and trying to take time out to pray for forgiveness.
He is usually careful about what he eats during the Muslim fasting month, though he confesses it is hard for him to resist hot and sizzling pakoras.

ARMEENA KHAN

Armeena Khan, a Pakistani-origin actress from Manchester, is spending her Ramadan at home with her husband.
“Ramadan feels different this time,” she says. “I am finding it to be a more intimate experience and, in the absence of any distractions, have more time to pray and reflect.”
Khan normally opens her fast with dates and water to regain her lost energy. After that, she prefers a good cup of black coffee.
Talking to Arab News, she said: “To be honest, I am prone to indulging at this time of the year, but I balance it out by eating smaller portions, with fruits as a mandatory item.”

AMAR KHAN

Amar Khan is a rising star of Pakistani drama and film industry. She says that she always enjoys Ramadan with her family, adding that it is an extra special experience this time since she is getting bonus time with her loved ones and for meditation.
“I normally break my fast with dates and Jam-e-Shirin with chia seeds or mint lemonade. My iftar remains incomplete without a good hydrating drink.”

KINZA HASHMI

Kinza Hashmi, a popular drama artist with two million Instagram followers, loves spending time with her family.
“It is a way for me to come back and re-center myself. In the lockdown, I am enjoying home-made pakoras, spring rolls, fruit chaat and many other things made by my mother.”
Hashmi’s iftar is incomplete without dates and Rooh Afzah.
She eats freely in Ramadan. “Ramadan is the only month when I am not thinking about my diet. I usually eat all my favorite food during sehr and iftar. I am also very particular about my water intake because staying hydrated is the most important thing during this month.”

ALEEZE NASSER

Aleeze Nasser, a Pakistani actress residing in Dubai, thinks the ongoing lockdowns are providing people an opportunity to understand the value of their loved ones. “We, as a family, have stopped taking each other for granted and we are always praying for everyone’s health and safety.”
She breaks her fast with dates and almonds, followed by a drink of milk with chia seeds. She then begins to enjoy her dinner that has vegetables and meat. Naseer loves desserts but tries not to overindulge.
“I put a little extra thought into what we consume these days to boost our immune system and try to eat lots of greens, some lentils and keep my meat consumption low.”