Enjoying the Holy month of Ramazan? Fasting in such pleasant weather is an experience to cherish, right? Shazia Nazlee’s The Gift of Ramadan will help you improve that experience, as it teaches you about the many good deeds you can do in the month, besides fasting and praying.

Published by Darussalam Books, this colourful and engaging book is designed to appeal to kids like you who know that Ramazan is an important part of the Islamic calendar but might not know the real reason. Yes, it is the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind, but did you know it can help you become a better person, too? Through simple narration, the author details the blessings, significance and practices of this holy month, which will not only help you earn rewards, but also improve your personality.

From declaring that fasting is an important pillar of the religion just like Salat and Zakat, to explaining the dos and don’ts of the month, she does a good job by first introducing young readers to the Tarawih prayer, which is offered straight after the Isha prayer; then explains to readers that this month is the best time to improve your manners, like correcting our speech and behaviour. It also emphasises that backbiting and being nasty to people spoil the fast.

As for the virtues and opportunities of Ramazan, this book highlights many, such as reading the Holy Quran, developing taqwa (piety), and giving charity (sadqah).

And then there is Laylatul Qadr, one of the most important nights for a Muslim, who receives many rewards from Allah for every good deed they do. If you manage to do whatever is mentioned in this vibrant book, you will notice a huge change in yourself at the end of the 30 days of Ramazan.

To help you understand that you have understood the teachings of this book, there is a quiz at the very end that lists both good and bad incidents; if you have understood the book, you should be able to pick the good incidents and, technically, be on your way to betterment.

On the whole, this book explains Ramazan in simple, kid-friendly ter­ms, while the bright, engaging four-colour design makes learning about Ramazan enjoyable for children. Not only does the book teach you, but it can also help other family members and friends who want to learn about this month, enjoy their fast, and practice being a better person at the same time.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 7th, 2026

It was not an ordinary Sunday morning. In fact, it was the day of the Pakistan-India World Cup match. A cricket match between these two teams always felt like a final, even if it wasn’t. Today was no different. The air buzzed with excitement, anticipation and, of course, everlasting hope.

In many households that day, normal conversations sto­pped. Instead, everyone talked about the weather in Colombo, how much it might help the players, the team line-ups and past performances.

It was the same at Ahad’s house. Ahad’s father put down his teacup with a clink and said thoughtfully, “If we win the toss, we should bowl first. Big matches are all about handling pressure.”

“Also, chasing a target has always been difficult for us,” Ahad’s sister added.

“You shouldn’t speak. You don’t even watch cricket,” Ahad said, feeling a bit annoyed by her comment.

“Everyone watches a Pakistan-India match. I just don’t have high expectations,” she shrugged.

After that, everyone left the breakfast table to finish their work for the day before gathering in the TV lounge in the evening.

By the time the toss took place, Ahad and his family were all seated in front of the TV. Ahad held his breath as the coin rose in the air. When Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first, Ahad’s father nodded in satisfaction.

“Good decision,” he said confidently. With that, hope rose in everyone.

India’s openers walked in and the innings began with a thrill for Pakistan. Abhishek Sharma was out for a duck in the very first over. The entire living room erupted in disbelief and excitement. It felt like the perfect start, the kind you pray for before such a big match. Ahad could feel his heart pounding as he clenched his fists, hardly able to sit still.

But the excitement didn’t last long. Ishan Kishan stepped in and completely shifted the mood of the game. He played with confidence and control, timing the ball beautifully. His shots were smooth and effortless, and every time he hit the ball over the fielders, it felt like the match was slipping away. Watching him score 77 runs off just 40 balls was frustrating; each boundary made the crowd on the screen cheer while the TV lounge slowly fell quiet.

India kept the score moving and ended with 175 runs. Ahad could feel his hope starting to fade.

When Pakistan came out to bat, it never really felt like they had the momentum they needed. The top players kept losing their wickets at the wrong moments. Every time someone tried to build a good partnership, it fell apart too soon. Everyone shouted suggestions at the TV as if the players could hear them. But wickets kept falling, and soon Pakistan were all out for just 114 runs. India had won by 61 runs.

Feeling disappointed, everyone went to their own rooms, not knowing what to say. As Ahad lay in his bed scrolling through messages and funny memes, he knew they would wake up tomorrow and argue about what went wrong. They would wish that next time would be different. And when Pakistan faces India again, everyone will be right back in front of the television, hearts racing and voices ready to cheer.

This is because hope, like the love for cricket, never really fades.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 7th, 2026

Fried items are a staple of the iftar table, but they are not very healthy to eat every day. So, today I am sharing a very easy recipe for bread pockets. You can easily make these in an air fryer, but if you don’t have one, you can try baking them in the oven instead.

Since almost all the ingredients we are using are already cooked, except for the egg coating, we only need to toast the outside until it is crispy and golden. You can change the filling to anything you like.

You could even experiment with a different filling each time to create totally different flavours. The same goes for the shape; use your creativity to turn them into balls or whatever else you fancy.

So, let’s check out how to make these very easy yet yummy bread pockets!

Ingredients

• 1 handful of chicken tikka chunks
• 1/2 cup chopped & sautéed vegetables (carrots, capsicum, green onion, etc.)
• Sauces of choice
• 2-4 slices of bread
• 1-2 slices of cheese (optional)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• A little oil (for brushing)

Method

In a bowl, combine tikka chunks, veggies and sauce.

Cut the crust off of the slices of bread. Roll the bread slices out flat with a rolling pin.

Add a teaspoon of fillings in the centre. Put a quarter slice of cheese on top. Cover with another flattened slice of bread.

Seal the edges with a fork. Dip it in egg wash. Cover in breadcrumbs. Brush with oil.

Air fry at 180°C for 10-12 minutes or until golden.

Serve with chutney and enjoy.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 7th, 2026