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Here's what you need to know about the Islamic holy month
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Muslims around the globe will begin observing the holy month of Ramadan, a period of deep spiritual reflection and celebration, in coming days.
Ramadan will see Muslims abstain from … View moreHere's what you need to know about the Islamic holy month
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Muslims around the globe will begin observing the holy month of Ramadan, a period of deep spiritual reflection and celebration, in coming days.
Ramadan will see Muslims abstain from food during daylight hours and pray before breaking their fast at sundown alongside family and friends.
Here's a look at when the holy month begins, the importance of fasting, and why the date changes from one year to another.
When does Ramadan end?
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Lasting for 29 or 30 days, Ramadan 2025 will end around March 30, with the celebratory days of Eid al-Fitr estimated to start around 30 March, again with a possible difference of a couple of days.
What is Ramadan?
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Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year for Muslims.
It remembers the month the Qur'an was first revealed to the prophet Mohammed.
During its 29 to 30 days, Muslims abstain from food and drink, including water, every day from dawn to sunset.
When the sun sets, adherents to the faith break their fast with a communal meal called Iftar, usually with family or friends.
The fast is traditionally broken by eating dates, to emulate how the prophet Mohammed broke his fast.
During Ramadan, Muslims are also encouraged to do good deeds and abstain from sinful acts, while refecting on their faith and developing positive habits to be brought forward when the holy month ends.
Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?
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The practice of fasting during Ramadan serves spiritual and social purposes.
According to Islamic Relief Australia, Muslims believe Ramadan is the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the prophet Mohammed more than 1,400 years ago.
The fast entails abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations to achieve greater "taqwa", or consciousness of God.
It is one of the five pillars of Islam.
When is Eid al-Fitr?
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Eid al-Fitr or the "festival of breaking the fast" marks the end of Ramadan.
It is likely to take place on the evening of Sunday, March 30 depending on the sighting of the moon.
It is celebrated as a time for family and friends to come together with communal prayer, gift-giving and dressing in new clothes.
Eid al-Fitr happens in the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic Calendar.
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Some people are frustrated by their neighbours or neighbour's friends parking on the street outside their house. This means they have to park further away themselves.
Do you think it is inconsiderate to park directly outside a neighbour's house on the road? Or do you think street … View moreSome people are frustrated by their neighbours or neighbour's friends parking on the street outside their house. This means they have to park further away themselves.
Do you think it is inconsiderate to park directly outside a neighbour's house on the road? Or do you think street parking is fair game?
Share your thoughts below.
Join us for our next free 1 hour presentation - Monday 10 March, at 1.30pm at Te Tuhi, 21 William Roberts Road, Pakuranga. This session will focus on Apple computer maintenance, backing up and sorting files - essential skills for keeping your Mac running smoothly.
Email: … View moreJoin us for our next free 1 hour presentation - Monday 10 March, at 1.30pm at Te Tuhi, 21 William Roberts Road, Pakuranga. This session will focus on Apple computer maintenance, backing up and sorting files - essential skills for keeping your Mac running smoothly.
Email: mac.auckland@seniornet.nz or Phone Janet 0212148386.
A beautiful Auckland day so I decided on the Harbour Bridge jump.
A slight calculation error on their part... I was supposed to just touch the ripples of the water, not drink a few litres of salt water. 😬
A wonderful buzz, none the less. Another box ticked. 🥂
Three boxes to start with: Box #1Breville Toaster, Large Shaker, Cutting Board, etc • Box #2 Kettle, Cutting Board, Timer, Travel Pillow, Large Shaker, etc • Box #3 Lots of containers, a nice Vase, lots of cutlery, Hooters glasses (not very politically correct) etc • Each box $15 • Note: … View moreThree boxes to start with: Box #1Breville Toaster, Large Shaker, Cutting Board, etc • Box #2 Kettle, Cutting Board, Timer, Travel Pillow, Large Shaker, etc • Box #3 Lots of containers, a nice Vase, lots of cutlery, Hooters glasses (not very politically correct) etc • Each box $15 • Note: everything untested but should be working. Any box not sold after two days will be put on the FB Garage Sale group page • more to follow the next few weeks (at least 20 more boxes), so keep an eye on Neighbourly • Pickup in Green Bay opposite Green Bay High School. If you want one let me know which one(s) and what time you want to pick it up tomorrow and I'll send you our address IF you are the first one for the box in question.
Own your Online website is part of the New Zealand government's work to raise understanding of cyber security issues for individuals and businesses, they have shared a message about a new scam that is targeting Kiwis.
Own Your Online say:
We are seeing a significant increase in reporting … View moreOwn your Online website is part of the New Zealand government's work to raise understanding of cyber security issues for individuals and businesses, they have shared a message about a new scam that is targeting Kiwis.
Own Your Online say:
We are seeing a significant increase in reporting of ‘Hi Mum’ scams.
A ‘Hi Mum’ scam is a scam where a random message from an unknown number is sent to you claiming to be from a close relative, usually your son or daughter.
The fake relative often claims their phone is broken – which is why they’re contacting you from a different number – and will ask you to do something, sometimes asking you to help them with a payment or to do something by clicking a link.
If you receive one of these, don’t click the links. Try to contact your relative using their normal number which is probably still working.
You can also report these scam messages by forwarding free to Department of Internal Affairs on 7726
Check out Own Your Online scam checklist here.
Consultation is now open! This is your chance to share feedback on key investments, local board priorities, and future events and destination marketing in Tāmaki Makaurau.
📅 Consultation closes on 28 March 2025.
📝 Tell us your feedback by clicking 'read more'
#akhaveyoursay
Revamping old furniture is not only kinder on the planet, but it allows us the creative freedom to produce a piece that is full of character with Resene Enamacryl. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Discover the power of EcoTank printers –the No.1 tank printer in New Zealand and globally, with over 100 million units sold worldwide!
Say goodbye to costly cartridges, low-cost consumables, and excessive waste. With EcoTank, enjoy hassle-free printing with refillable ink tanks that last … View moreDiscover the power of EcoTank printers –the No.1 tank printer in New Zealand and globally, with over 100 million units sold worldwide!
Say goodbye to costly cartridges, low-cost consumables, and excessive waste. With EcoTank, enjoy hassle-free printing with refillable ink tanks that last longer and help you save money while reducing your environmental footprint.
Make the switch today and experience a smarter, more eco-friendly way to print!
I've this pile of old newspapers that someone may have a use for otherwise it's into the re-cycling.
Just start with a hello, and say hope you’re well. There’s nothing gentle about gentle reminders. And the email never finds you well. Nothing annoys working professionals more than emails with vague flatteries, unnecessary niceties or even passive-aggressive follow ups. “As per my last … View moreJust start with a hello, and say hope you’re well. There’s nothing gentle about gentle reminders. And the email never finds you well. Nothing annoys working professionals more than emails with vague flatteries, unnecessary niceties or even passive-aggressive follow ups. “As per my last email…” is a sure way for your email to be left on hold.
There are several ‘Dos and Don’t’s’ when writing a professional email. “Emails can be irritating. First of all, you can’t see the person. Often, you might not know the person. So, it’s already very hard to connect with someone you can’t see or don’t even know. So a lot depends on the tone of the email, and how they explain the context,”.
Remember, a working professional is already swamped with a million emails a day; a vague, generic, aggressive or meaningless one filled with false niceties will either elicit an angry, irritated response, or just be left unread. Or, possibly, sent to trash.
Emails can be irritating. A lot depends on the tone of the person in the email and how they explain the context. They need to be empathetic to connect with the other person. For example, they can start an email by saying I know you must be busy...
Skip the dears, dearests and dearie
“No one’s so dear to you, you aren’t writing to your grandmother,” “I’ve deleted emails from people who addressed me as dearest,”. She has been called dearie too, much to her shock. “I’ve had to remind people to not address me like that,”.
So, avoid the over-familiarity. No one’s your lovely, dear or honey at work. “I can’t stand over-familiarity from people that I do not know,”, an American freelancing writer. “I dislike it when strangers write emails addressing me as ‘lovely’. It’s like ‘Hey lovely, thought I will check in…’ and the email is followed by some irrelevant announcement,” Be professional, friendly, but without going overboard.
Be specific in your subject line
For all you know, your recipient might be subjected to a flood of emails a day. They don’t have time to read each email. They’ll probably just look at the subject and see if it’s worth their time. If they don’t find it so, it usually remains unread or goes to trash. So keep the subject line short, Get to the point. Many people won’t have the patience to read an email with a blank subject or something vague or generic. “I wouldn’t read an email with the subject ‘just checking in’ or ‘greetings’. So, keep your subject short; let it capture the essence of your email, like a headline," Otherwise, you and your email are ignored.
The email never finds you well
Yes, we know the emails that begin with this line: ‘Hope this email finds you well.’ “It does not sound sincere. The first thing that comes to mind when reading it is, ‘Okay, what do you want?” which focuses on leadership content strategies. “It sounds rather clichéd, as if you really don’t care what’s happening with them, but you’re just determined to get your work done,” Just say hello, and hope you're well.
Skip the slang
Don’t wander and confuse the reader. “You don’t have to begin with a chatty, over-friendly conversation before getting into the conversation, especially if you have emailed them several times a day,” “Skip the slang, excessive punctuation and emoticons,”
A little empathy doesn’t hurt
Emails can be a frustrating form of communication for various reasons, one being that you can’t see the person. “You need to show a little empathy in your emails, so that they can at least have a sense of your tone and mood,” If you know they’re busy, you can use words like ‘I know you must be busy’… and give them clear context, of what you need. Keep it short, simple and basic, and that’s the best way to not annoy someone.
In this form of written communication, you need to establish some form of trust with the other person, he says.
“Always think, how would I feel when reading this,”
There’s no point following up on a previous email, when the other person doesn’t remember what you’re following up on.
Explain your request again, so that the person doesn’t have to sift through a long email thread and see what you’re referring to. “If that person didn’t respond to your email the first time, resending the same message is probably not going to get better results the second time.”
Avoid being pushy and passive-aggressive: No gentle reminders
Don’t mark your emails with ‘URGENT’ (in upper case mind you), when you know, it isn’t urgent. Moreover, don’t do it just in the hope that you are capturing someone’s attention. “I’ve received emails from people saying, ‘Hey, I haven’t heard from you for a week, so I guess you’re not interested. Well, in case you are, let me know’,” “Such emails just trigger you into a rage, or you just delete them and never respond,”
Also, avoid ‘gentle’ reminders. There’s no such thing as a gentle reminder. “Everyone knows that a reminder is a call to action. Adding gentle to it, just sounds more passive-aggressive and leaves the other person aggravated,”“In terms of tone of voice, always be warm and approachable – not cold, impersonal, and definitely not patronising or passive-aggressive,”.
Think before you ‘cc’
“The point of cc’ing someone is that they’re kept in the loop. That person already has context. If they don’t, then don’t cc them. It’s simple. There’s no prize for the number of people you can stuff into an email. Put yourself in their shoes, how would you like being copied in an email that’s completely out of the blue? Exactly,”.
Don’t copy others on an email when there’s no need
Moreover, don’t email several people in the hope that they will forward it to the person who is supposed to receive the email. This is considering the scenario that the person hasn’t responded. In all probability, they will email the same person and filled their inbox with the same email. Nothing annoys a person more.
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This Kiwiana pie consists of Watties spaghetti and colby cheese in pastry. Is this our most iconic 'Kiwi' pie?
Share your thoughts below!
Between February 2025 and January 2026, we will be carrying out essential maintenance on the underside of SH1 Auckland Harbour Bridge which sits over the Pā at Stokes Point Reserve.
To keep the public safe there will be changes to the access of the Pā site.
Visit the … View moreBetween February 2025 and January 2026, we will be carrying out essential maintenance on the underside of SH1 Auckland Harbour Bridge which sits over the Pā at Stokes Point Reserve.
To keep the public safe there will be changes to the access of the Pā site.
Visit the NZTA website to find out how you might be affected.
New Members Welcome.
Come along and hear our speaker - Jan Clearwater on Vanuatu.
Meet new friends over a coffee and learn about Day trip opportunities or a week trip to Taranaki.
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