Technology has made the world a smaller place for Muslims as they observe the month of sacrifice. Photo: iStock
With the holy month of Ramadan nearing the halfway mark, technology has made the world a smaller place for Muslims as they observe the month of sacrifice.
While Ramadan is a time for reflection and togetherness, it is also a month where you spend more time with family and friends, plan community meets, and organise charity events, especially to assist those in need during the blessed month.
And a lot of that planning and organising takes place within the privacy of WhatsApp chats.
Social media giant WhatsApp has shared some tips and ideas with The Citizen on how to use the platform effectively as you create new memories with loved ones this Ramadan.
Iftar or the act of breaking a fast-during Ramadan by Muslims is often undertaken with family and friends. But what if you have family members who live overseas, or elderly grandparents who are not able to join in person?
You can still stay connected by organising a virtual iftar evening on WhatsApp with video calls for up to 32 people and also use call links to plan ahead, so everyone knows when to join in and you aren’t adding people in one by one.
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Planning meals for a month can become a chore during the holy month.
Why not inspire others and get inspired by creating a WhatsApp Group of home cooks and foodies where you can share meal ideas.
You can also upload photos of your meals to Status and let your connections know how you are channeling your inner chef this Ramadan.
WhatsApp also allows users to set a reminder to fulfill your Zak’ah (charity) rites with the platforms message yourself and pin the chat so it stays top of mind.
But charity doesn’t end with Zak’ah, you can also start organising people to support a social cause through WhatsApp Communities.
WhatsApp also allows you to make their Ramadan greetings personal by creating your avatar or try recording your greetings in a voice note to really let your personality shine through your message.
With so many bazaars to choose from, WhatsApp Polls can help you and your loved ones decide which one to visit. If you lose each other in a crowded bazaar, turn on live location so your companions can find you easily.
Scammers can easily mar the festive spirit with fake festive promotions and deals.
If you notice any suspicious messages, you can easily report and block unwanted messages on WhatsApp. While WhatsApp protects all your conversations with end-to-end encryption, activating two step-verification can protect your account further.
As you’re speaking to friends and family this month, give them a heads-up as well, so we can help each other stay safe.
Ramadan is a month to find the time to self-reflect. If you need the quiet time, you can mute chat groups for 8 hours to 1 week, or when needed, “always” until you’re ready to tune in again.
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