htaram-e-Ramazan  

Sir: Throughout our lives, we have studied that the Islamic month of Ramazan is all about restraining oneself, piety and to refrain from evil. However, when the government approves an unusual bill that is forcing people to act according to its statements, then one questions what is exactly going on? The National Assembly has unanimously approved Ehtaram-e-Ramazan bill, and its clauses are just ridiculous.

Under a new amendment to this bill, people who are found smoking or eating during the day will be fined Rs 500 and can even face jail time of up to 3 months. Restaurant fines have been increased from Rs 500 to
Rs 25,000. Additionally, cinema houses and TV channels will have to face a fine up to Rs 500,000. Introduced by Senator Tanveer Khan sometime in January, it focuses on taking strict actions against people who violate the given laws during Ramadan, with this amendment.

People are not taking this matter lightly and are showing a lot of frustration regarding this. Perhaps it would have been better if the government could cut the cost of good and initiated some discount packages on food items rather than forcing people to respect the month.

Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari has slammed this bill with strong words, specifically mentioning that this is not Islam. In a tweet, she voices her concerns about people who are not healthy enough to keep fasts and need to take medicines or eat during the day. She further said that instead of arresting people who are caught drinking water during summer days, people should rather focus on resisting temptation and honouring their
own fast.

There are many children, elderly and sick people who just cannot fast. Moreover, when Ramazan falls in the peak summer, during the month of June, it becomes very difficult for these people, and they need to take proper care of themselves. So people should focus on controlling their desires rather than bursting out on those who are not fasting. This is what Islam is all about, and patience is what Ramazan teaches us. Let’s not be Muslims with darkened minds and aspire to become those with enlightened souls.

HIRA FAROOQ

Karachi