Taking what we’ve learned from this remarkable year into account, we may set life-changing goals to live better lives as balanced and mindful Muslims.
Here are some New Year’s Resolutions for Muslims that we can implement in our life.
Elevate your prayers
When the five daily prayers become a part of our daily habits, they can become monotonous and robotic activities. For example, by altering the typical Suras (Chapters) we read or the Duas (Supplications) we recite after prayer, we may become more present and attentive to what we are saying during our prayers.
Start Quran Journalling
Islam is all about education and learning. Muslims should strive to comprehend God’s messages and connect with the Quran.
Practice Gratitude
Don’t leave your daily prayers without spending at least 2 to 5 minutes grounding yourself in Sujood (prostration) and reflecting on all the small things for which you are grateful, such as good health, family, and friends.
Give more charity
All Muslims are expected to provide charity (zakat). Find a charity that is near to your heart and establish a monetary goal for yourself.
Surround yourself with positivity
Take some time to consider the individuals in your life; are any of them bringing you down or filling your life with negativity? Surround yourself with people who care about your success, who make you laugh, and who care about you. Test it out and discover how it affects your life!
Get Healthy
We would all be healthy if we all followed Islamic eating etiquette. Simple modifications such as not eating on an empty stomach or introducing sunnah fasting twice a week (Mon & Thurs) can help.
The Pakistani Taliban’s most recent attack, a suicide bombing in the capital last Friday, left one police officer dead and six others injured.
According to an investigation by a foreign media outlet, the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which banned and broke the cease-fire with Islamabad last month, has carried out several attacks across the nation.
The Afghan Taliban, who took control of Kabul last year, has been asked by Pakistani authorities to use their clout to persuade the TTP to make peace with Islamabad, but multiple rounds of negotiations have failed to produce a fruitful outcome.
As shelling from Afghanistan along its border with Pakistan has killed several civilians, Pakistan faces multiple security threats from both the TTP and the new authorities in Kabul. Since the current administration does not have the public support to address the security issue or the financial resources to do so, it is possible that it may get worse in 2023.
Analysts are concerned that Pakistan could wind up like its neighbour Sri Lanka in terms of being unable to pay its debts, lacking foreign reserves, and dealing with unmanageable, spiralling inflation as the year ends. After the State Bank of Pakistan unexpectedly increased interest rates to combat inflation in November, the country’s consumer price index reached a level of about 24 percent. In the fiscal year 2023, Pakistan is expected to pay back more than $26 billion in foreign debt.
The inflation rate climbed to an all-time high of 14.9% in October. The Pakistani rupee has never been lower than the US dollar, and regular people cannot afford the high price of gasoline.
The foreign exchange reserves of Pakistan have decreased to $6.7 billion, the lowest amount in the previous four years, according to the central bank of Pakistan.
According to Niloufer Siddiqui, a political science professor at the State University of New York, “Pakistan will continue to face a number of issues in the coming year; a worsening economic crisis amid a developing political instability.”
“In 2023, the government will focus on the usual short-term fixes that buy Pakistan more time but ultimately don’t end up solving the underlying problems, until the cycle plays out anew. So, we can expect Islamabad to look for more bailout funds from the usual suspects — China and the Gulf countries,” Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, said.
Former Pakistani ambassador to the US and Hudson Institute director for South and Central Asia Husain Haqqani claimed that Pakistan has not made any human capital investments in the previous seven decades. Instead of luring in varied investments, it survives on textile exports and foreign borrowing. There is no indication of the crucially needed fundamental economic reforms, but it would likely avoid default through a combination of increased borrowing and decreased imports, he told the media source.
It’s critical that you confirm the legitimacy of any work-from-home job prospects as you look for them. Scammers may pretend to be businesses or freelancers to present you with fake remote employment opportunities. Your identity, your finances, and your welfare can all be safeguarded by exercising caution. In this article, we have described some common scams you can come across.
What are work-from-home scams?
Work-from-home scams occur when dishonest persons fabricate job postings for their own gain. They might make advantage of these to steal your money or personal information. Scammers are starting to target this area with seemingly attractive job offers as work-from-home positions grow in popularity. To gain your trust, they can pretend to be a trustworthy organization or person.
To determine whether a remote job offer is authentic, follow these steps:
The job is too good to be true
If a work-from-home offer appears too good to be true, trust your gut. Consider a scenario with some caution if a corporation is offering an incredibly high income or great benefits. In addition, if the business is promising you a fantastic job for which you are ineligible, this can be a scam.
There is little information on the company
A corporation should have a website and some sort of online presence on social media when being researched. It might be time to move on to a different job application if you are unable to find any information about it online.
The validity of the job offer cannot be verified by a second source
It’s a good idea if you can speak with another employee of the business. Instead of asking the employer for this information, attempt to locate it on your own. You could request more information about the business from this person. Remember that many scammers operate in groups, so this doesn’t necessarily imply that a job offer is genuine.
There are warnings online
To seek up the name of the business or employer, use a search engine. You might discover from search results that this fraud has been used on other people. It’s always a bad sign if you encounter job boards with cautionary statements about a company. Additionally, if there are negative online reviews of the business, this may indicate that you should hunt for employment elsewhere.
You have to pay to work
When employers assert that you must invest money in your work to get started, this is a prevalent deception. Employers are the ones who should pay you, not the other way around. While looking for remote jobs, keep in mind that certain respectable online job forums may require you to pay a monthly fee.
The employer is overly eager to hire
When an employer feels compelled to engage you immediately, that is a huge red flag of work-from-home fraud. Most trustworthy employers are preoccupied with their own work and cannot answer you immediately away. Real employers put employees at ease, therefore if a business is forcing you to accept the position, don’t reply to them.
Brand value is the ‘perceived value,’ or how frequently consumers choose one brand over competitors. When consumers believe a brand is distinctive and in line with their personal beliefs, it creates a significant competitive advantage.
Here are 7 suggestions on what you can do to immediately add value to your brand:
Stay on top of your customer needs:
Develop strong ties with your A-level clients, keep an eye on their issues, and maintain “high touch” contact with them. The relationship may be strengthened, and your network can be expanded at the same time by frequent customer visits, evaluations, and networking events.
Be visible to your customers:
A smart method to let your customer know you are continually developing is to provide an updated version of your product or tag on a free service. Make your customer believe that having you around makes their lives easier.
Know your competition:
Be aware of your competitors and keep an eye out for what others are doing. Prepare to compare your value proposition to that of your rivals. You must be able to support your claims with evidence. You’ll become more competitive as a result, just as how all restaurants provide smaller quantity meals in their own unique ways.
Try new ideas:
If your market is heavily commoditized, you should consider where your profits come from. Many times, competing just on price or service is useless. Try out novel concepts, such as the “freemium” model, where you can initially offer portions of your products or services for free before charging for value-added services or premium accounts.
Improve experience:
Doing business with your organization should be a positive experience from beginning to end. Consider your customers’ needs and strive to make each process as seamless as feasible. They should be aware that they may get in touch with you with any issues and that you will do it in a timely and efficient manner. This also gives word-of-mouth advertising excellent leverage.
Include a human element:
Many businesses don’t put enough effort into humanizing their brand. Customers may feel disconnected as a result. They must sense that they are more than just clients. Logos, slogans, taglines, and websites are merely pointers; they are promotional tools. Allowing your customers to contact you in interesting ways in addition to through your newsletters, pamphlets, emails, and phone calls can aid in the expansion of your business. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination; host events, start a blog, or interact on social networking sites like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Reward loyalty:
Give your customers something extra in exchange for remaining with you or using your goods and services, much like a rewards program. It might be a pair of baseball tickets, a gift card, or a discount for future transactions.
Friday’s inaugural meeting of the Committee was presided over by Najam Sethi, who was recently appointed Chairman of the Management Committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
After receiving a thorough briefing on the HBL Pakistan Super League 8, which is slated to take place from 13 February to 19 March, the Management Committee decided to include Quetta as the tournament’s fifth venue.
The Committee decided that PCB would work closely with the local administration to upgrade and renovate Bugti Stadium to make sure it is ready to host the HBL PSL 8 matches. Separate discussions would also take place between PCB security experts and local authorities to ensure the safety and security of all participants, officials, and spectators.
Najam Sethi said: “I am delighted that seven years after launching the HBL Pakistan Super League, I am today announcing our commitment to add Bugti Stadium in Quetta as the fifth venue for our marquee event. Bugti Stadium is the home ground of Quetta Gladiators and we still remember the incredible scenes when the Gladiators visited the city after winning the 2019 tournament.
“The passionate cricket fans of Quetta have been waiting for a long to watch high-profile cricket in their backyard and I am pleased that we will now bring HBL PSL matches to their doors. In this relation, I have already spoken with influential officials in the Balochistan province, who have assured me of their complete support from event delivery perspectives.”
The Committee also discussed Peshawar as a potential location for hosting HBL PSL and international matches, and it was decided that matches would be held there provided there were no restrictions placed by the provincial and federal governments and the stadium had facilities of an international standard for cricket, broadcast, spectators, and media.
The Women’s League was also the subject of the first deliberations by the Management Committee; further conversations will follow. The Management Committee decided to let the Pakistan Cup conclude on January 3 in the best interest of the participants and event after discussing the domestic cricket structure under the 2014 PCB Constitution.
It was decided that Najam Sethi, Shakil Sheikh, and Haroon Rashid would develop the early draft of the domestic structure, which corresponds to the PCB Constitution 2014 and share it with the Committee for further debate.
Dolmen Mall surprised its customers with the 29th edition of Dolmen Shopping Festival on Saturday, 17 December, 2022 with a grand opening ceremony that featured an applaudable parade led by a Drum Band and Dolmen Mascots, Barry the Bear and Bugsy the Rabbit, along with the Ding Dong Cat from Hilal, Sindbad mascot, Robot and many colorful balloon laden characters. Mall visitors were ecstatic to witness the acrobatic performances that followed up along with the DSF quiz and prize distribution by Sadaf Kanwal and Khalid Malik amidst confetti and in-mall dry-fireworks.
Invigorating shoppers since 1992, this year Dolmen Malls have chosen to embark on ‘A Journey full of Surprises’. Quaid’s Day was yet another festive event during this journey, with patriotic tributes to the founder of the nation made by athletes from Special Olympics Pakistan along with many other moving performances in the presence of celebrities such as Sarwat Gillani & Khalid Malik.
One of the planned surprises at the Quaid’s Day celebrations held today, were the 5 special Dolmen Draw prizes that were distributed on this occasion. The festival continues to call upon the people of Karachi to get them on-board this unique journey of surprises where the ambiance, setups and vibe of the entire event has been planned to exceed all expectations of the customers and offer something that takes them by surprise.
Customers can also get entertained through the Express Game Ticket at many stations throughout the mall. The fascinating ‘Train of Surprises’ is full of treasures and offers a virtual reality experience, the WOW box has instant prizes hidden inside, kids can meet the Dolmen mascots at ‘Barry & Bugsy House’ to get treats, friends & families can get their ‘DSF Memories’ picture captured and framed instantly at the ‘Tree of Memories’.
They can also enter the ‘Magical Castle by Prince’ and enjoy a thrilling maze setup by Continental Biscuits Ltd. DSF 2022- 23 has everything for everyone; the ladies can venture into the exclusive Beauty Zone by Cosmetic Candy, featuring free nail art, makeovers, face mask application and lots of exciting discounts while the kids can enjoy a fun filled trip to Sindbad’s Wonderland and avail their Happy Hour deals.
Adding to the lineup of exciting activities, new store launches, larger than life displays, engaging games and DSF Surprise Sales & Food Deals are some of the most exciting activities for kids, teens and adults. Customers can participate in therapeutic painting activity by Em Draws Art, face painting and life size frame coloring activity by Play Date Café along with storytelling & role playing activity by Phenomenal Classroom.
DSF 2022 – 23 is bigger than ever when it comes to customer rewards. The Grand Draw boasts a myriad of great prizes, including a luxurious Proton Saga Car, Grand Shopping Sprees by Bank Alfalah, Airline Tickets by AirSial, Home Appliances, Gift Hampers and other exciting surprises. Each customer shopping for Rs. 10,000 or more at Dolmen Mall becomes eligible to enter the Grand Draw, and also gets a chance to participate in gaming setups through the ‘Express Game Tickets’ where they can win instant prizes.
Customers can also ride to and from Dolmen Malls with a discount of 30% on Careem with promo code ‘DOLMENMALL. So, keep your schedules free for the weekend and holiday attractions with performances, acts, mascot appearances and much more.
Talking to the press, Ms. Maliha Farooq Ismail, General Manager – Marketing and Communications, at Dolmen Real Estate Management, commented: “Dolmen Mall prides itself in surpassing customer expectations and in keeping up with latest trends in retailtainmnent. Our utmost priority has always been to bring the best to our customers, which is why every year during DSF we have a different theme, and different experiences to offer. It’s our promise to every mall visitor, to come to the mall and embark on a journey of surprises with grand prizes to take back home with them.”
To make this shopping journey even more irresistible, Dolmen Mall is surprising its loyal customers with a Dolmen Deals book being distributed throughout the city.This exclusive coupon book offers great discounts, flat sales, Buy-One-Get-One-Free offers and free games at many brands & festival setups across all three Dolmen Mall locations. Visit the customer service desk at the mall to get to know how can you avail this book!
Follow us @Dolmenmall on social media for more DSF announcements and updates on the event or use #DolmenMall, #LetsDSF and #DSFSurprises to be eligible for digital sur’Prizes’.
In Pakistan, over 75% of the population, particularly young people, are said to be suffering from stress, anxiety, or depression, according to public health specialists and intellectuals.
According to Prof. Shahzad Ali Khan, vice chancellor of the Health Services Academy (HSA), most Pakistanis are either depressed, stressed out, or anxious, and they are not overly hopeful about the future of their nation.
He was speaking during the Jahan-i-Maseeha Adbi Forum’s 24th Thematic Calendar launch (JMAF). Considering these conditions, Allama Iqbal’s message of “Khudi” serves as the topic of the 2023 calendar.
According to Prof. Khan, the youth have become increasingly gloomy and dejected, and in these conditions, Iqbal’s message of self-worth can revive Pakistan’s national spirit.
Most young people in Pakistan, he continued, view everyone as corrupt and incompetent, despite the fact that similar problems, such as inflation, unemployment, and recession, affect young people everywhere.
Prof. Khan said, adding that things were not as bad as they were being made out to be, “Initially, teachers and academia of our society were targeted and they were defamed, later, character assassination of physicians and healthcare professionals was carried out, and the same treatment was met out to politicians.”
He praised Iqbal’s ideology and added that by instilling in them the values of optimism, passion, and encouragement, he was able to unite young people from a minority population on the Indian subcontinent.
The occasion was planned in association with the pharmaceutical company Pharmevo, which has been spreading Iqbal’s worldview among medical professionals nationwide.
In addition to promoting literary activities like conducting book fairs and mushairas, Syed Jamshaid Ahmed of Pharmevo emphasized the importance of constructing and developing a healthier society in Pakistan.
Famous poet Ajmal Siraj claimed that the life and literary creations of Iqbal were chosen as the theme for the upcoming calendar by an advisory council made up of educators, authors, and researchers.
Pakistan has urged Afghan authorities to reconsider their decision to suspend university and higher education for female students in Afghanistan.
“Pakistan is disappointed to learn about the suspension of the university and higher education for female students in Afghanistan,” an official statement from the Foreign Office read, adding that Pakistan’s position on the issue has been “clear and consistent”.
The FO added that “every man and woman has the inherent right to education in accordance with the injunctions of Islam.”
Following a statement by the Taliban-run government that women would be barred from tertiary education, female university students in Afghanistan were turned away from campuses on Wednesday.
Foreign governments and the UN denounced the move to exclude women when it was made public on Tuesday evening in a letter to universities from the higher education ministry.
Shaista, a business studies student at a private institution in Kabul, stated, “We got to campus, the Taliban were at the entrance and informed us ‘you are not permitted to enter the university until further notice’… everyone was crying.
Female students were turned away at the gate, according to a professor at a different Kabul institution who declined to be named, because staff members had no choice but to follow the directive.
The decision was made by the cabinet of the Taliban administration, according to a late Tuesday release.
In recent months, a number of Taliban officials, including the spokesperson for the government and the deputy foreign minister, have advocated for the education of women. Major choices are made by the ultimate spiritual head of the Taliban, who is based in the southern city of Kandahar. The matter has been discussed by the leadership, according to diplomatic and Taliban officials who spoke to Reuters.
“This decision had been anticipated for weeks, prompting some Western officials to start talking about additional sanctions and further economic restrictions,” said Graeme Smith, senior consultant at International Crisis Group.
“But the flood of outrage from the West will strengthen the resolve of the Taliban leadership, which defines itself as a bulwark against the outside world.”
The leadership of the Taliban has stated that while they desire peaceful relations with the world community, outsiders should not meddle in Afghan affairs. Most girls can’t attend classes past the first grade. While claiming to be developing a plan for secondary education for girls, the Taliban government has not provided a timeline. The administration unexpectedly changed its mind after giving out signs that all high schools for girls will begin in March.
Netflix is adding these shows and movies in January 2023
January is cold, so curl up with some warm blankets and the remainder of the holiday sweets and start streaming. Beginning in 2023, Netflix will be introducing a tonne of brand-new films, television shows, and documentaries. New seasons of some of our favourite shows—Ginny & Georgia and Bake Squad—as well as some true-crime stories we can’t wait to see—are being added. Madoff, my dear! Not to mention the film Pamela, A Love Story, starring Pamela Anderson.
You’ll find at least one title worth checking out, regardless of whether you’re in the mood for something family-friendly or spooky-scary.
Here’s everything coming to Netflix in January 2023:
January 1 releases:
Movies
The Aviator, 2004 (Drama)
Barbershop 2: Back in Business, 2004 (Comedy)
Blue Streak, 1999 (Comedy)
Brokeback Mountain, 2005 (Drama)
The ‘Burbs, 1989 (Comedy)
Closer, 2004 (Romance)
The Conjuring, 2013 (Horror)
Daddy Day Care, 2003 (Comedy)
Fletch, 1985 (Comedy)
Forrest Gump, 1994 (Drama)
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, 2009 (Action)
Grease, 1978 (Musical)
I Know What You Did Last Summer, 1997 (Horror)
Jerry Maguire, 1996 (Romance)
King Kong, 2005 (Drama)
Leap Year, 2010 (Romance)
Life, 2017 (Horror)
Minority Report, 2002 (Action)
National Security, 2003 (Comedy)
The Nutty Professor, 1996 (Comedy)
The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, 2000 (Comedy)
Parenthood, 1989 (Comedy)
Reservoir Dogs, 1992 (Thriller)
Resident Evil: Afterlife, 2010 (Action)
Road to Perdition, 2002 (Drama)
Rocky, 1976 (Sports)
Rocky II, 1979 (Sports)
Rocky III, 1982 (Sports)
Rocky IV, 1985 (Sports)
Rocky V, 1990 (Sports)
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, 2010 (Action)
The Taking of Pelham 123, 2009 (Action)
This Is 40, 2012 (Comedy)
Top Gun, 1986 (Action)
Transformers: Dark of the Moon, 2011 (Action)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, 2009 (Action)
Twins, 1988 (Comedy)
TV Series
Kaleidoscope (Season 1), 2023 (Crime)
Lady Voyeur (Season 1), 2023 (Drama)
The Way of the Househusband (Season 2), 2021 (Animation)
New Amsterdam (Season 1), 2018 (Drama)
Old Enough! (Season 2), 1990 (Documentary)
Survivor (Season 18), 2000 (Reality TV)
January 4 releases:
Movies
How I Became a Gangster, 2019 (Drama)
The Kings of the World, 2022 (Adventure)
TV Series
The Lying Life of Adults (Season 1), 2023 (Drama)
Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street (Season 1), 2023 (Documentary)
January 5 releases:
TV Series
Copenhagen Cowboy (Season 1), 2022 (Crime)
Ginny & Georgia (Season 2), 2021 (Comedy)
Woman of the Dead (Season 1), 2022 (Crime)
January 6 releases:
Movies
Mumbai Mafia: Police vs The Underworld, 2023 (Documentary)
The Pale Blue Eye, 2023 (Thriller)
TV Series
Love Island USA (Season 2), 2019 (Reality TV)
Pressure Cooker (Season 1), 2023 (Reality TV)
The Ultimatum: France (Season 1 – Part 2), 2022 (Reality TV)
The Walking Dead (Season 11), 2010 (Horror)
January 9 releases:
TV Series
Vinland Saga (Season 2), 2019 (Animation)
January 10 releases:
Movies
Andrew Santino: Cheeseburger, 2023 (Comedy)
The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, 2023 (Documentary)
January 11 releases:
Movies
Noise, 2022 (Documentary)
TV Series
Sexify (Season 2), 2021 (Comedy)
January 12 releases:
TV Series
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight (Season 2), 2022 (Animation)
The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House (Season 1), 2023 (Drama)
Vikings: Valhalla (Season 2), 2022 (Action)
January 13 releases:
Movies
Dog Gone, 2023 (Drama)
Suzan & Freek, 2023 (Documentary)
TV Series
Break Point (Season 1), 2023 (Documentary)
Sky Rojo (Season 3), 2021 (Action)
Trial by Fire (Season 1), 2023 (Drama)
January 17 releases:
Movies
The Devil to Pay, 2019 (Thriller)
January 19 releases:
Movies
Khallat+, 2023 (Drama)
The Pez Outlaw, 2022 (Documentary)
TV Series
Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre (Season 1), 2023 (Animation)
That ‘90s Show (Season 1), 2023 (Comedy)
Women at War, 2022 (Drama)
January 20 releases:
Movies
Mission Majnu, 2023 (Action)
TV Series
Bake Squad (Season 2), 2021 (Reality TV)
Bling Empire: New York (Season 1), 2023 (Reality TV)
Although it resembles real leather, vegan leather is made from synthetic or plant-based components. PVC and polyurethane are frequently used to manufacture vegan leather, especially in the fast fashion industry. Not exactly the most environmentally friendly option, given these materials, are made of plastic and petroleum.
However, other materials, like cork, paper, and even bananas, can also be used to make vegan leather. Yes, you read that right. You can make your handbag using the same elements that go into your morning smoothie.
Depending on how it was produced, vegan leather may or may not be considered “sustainable.” For instance, while not directly harming animals during manufacture, alternatives to leather made of plastic might still take years to decompose, which is bad for the environment.
But is that plastic pollution more harmful than the effects of conventional leather on the environment? Animals are not only killed every year for their skins and hides, but even the tanning procedure (which turns hides into leather) has a bad reputation.
Heavy metals are used in tanning and dyeing, and they can leak into streams and kill marine life. What sustainability considerations are important to you ultimately determines how you should proceed. No green product can ever be flawless. While plastic-based leather doesn’t directly kill animals but may not biodegrade and can emit deadly poisons, real leather directly harms animals and is produced using chemicals. It somewhat produces a “lesser of two evils” situation.
Let’s not overlook the apples and bananas we stated previously, though. A few plant-based substitutes are becoming more and more popular. There is vegan leather manufactured from mushroom caps, for instance. It is even rumored to be softer and more water-resistant than conventional leather because it is tanned with non-toxic substances.
It’s crucial that we as customers learn about the origins and manufacturing processes of the vegan leather products we purchase.
