COVID DIARY: DAY 36, First Iftar

This year, like every year, we endeavoured to eat simple, light food for iftar (breaking of the fast). As usual the first iftar saw our tablecloth laden with food. We made aloo tikkis and mint chutney at home, with a pineapple crumble and custard for dessert. We also had pilau rice, pakoras and sweet rice […]

COVID DIARY: DAY 35, Ramadan Begins

It is the first night of Ramadan. A month full of blessings and opportunities to accrue virtues. During this month Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. This entails refraining from eating, drinking and cohabitation with one’s spouse. The reason we fast is simply to gain the pleasure of the Lord Almighty. There are many benefits […]

COVID DIARY: DAY 33, 15 Years of Dadhood

Today it seemed that the world was at our door. Knock after knock. Various parcels, gift and food drop offs. Our mums are keeping us well-fed with all the grocery drop offs and the occasional servings of good food. We did the regular things today as well. The workouts, work and school, prayers and family […]

COVID DIARY: DAY 32 Back to Work

No I haven’t broken the lockdown. I’m still working from home. Our Easter holidays are over and we’re back to teaching. Today’s lesson was on resilience. Is it inherent or does it develop over time? Do you have more by passing through adversity or by having a good, stable upbringing? The jury is out on […]

COVID DIARY: DAY 30 and 31

I took a break. Sue me. Its now been a full calendar month in lockdown. The only sun we’ve had is in the backyard. I spent an hour lounging on some cushions, the sun freckling my face as I read Superman: Savage Dawn. My wife and I have been working out with dumbells following HASFit […]

COVID DIARY: DAY 29 A Changing World

The lockdown goes on. It’s been 4 weeks since my family went into isolation in situation. Some news agencies are fanning the flames of discontent by suggesting that the lockdown may last 18 months. Other’s have suggested that we could have 6 waves of COVID next year. But then they have news to sell, so […]

COVID DIARY: DAY 28 Admiral’s Pie

It’s always a good week when you get to have Salmon more than once. One of life’s greatest luxuries is the Admiral’s Pie my sister-in-law makes. She sent a whole pie for us (admittedly I ate more than my fair share of it) and it was dropped off by my niece (bonus). It was delicious […]

COVID DIARY: DAY 27 The Problem with Yoga

A Muslim reader pointed out to me yesterday that Yoga is not permissible in Islam. Rather than shooting her down or taking it in without verifying it, I did some research. She maybe right. Yoga has its roots in Buddhism and Hinduism, with its core philosophy being to ignore religious tenets and focus entirely in […]

COVID DIARY: DAY 26 Cobwebs

The problem with taking time off from work or studying is the build up of cobwebs in the mind. The cobwebs are figuratively the blockages that prevent the free flow of thoughts and ideas. It’s that wooliness you experience when you get back to whatever it is you do. You start procrastinating and finding useless […]

COVID DIARY: DAY 25 Tesco Delivery Day

Strange how exciting a simple thing like getting groceries delivered to the house has become. My wife finally got a delivery slot and today was the day. A collection of bags full of groceries to replenish the pantry and the fridge that was starting to look ever so slightly bare. Among the earthly delights were […]