KARACHI: Google has come out as your Ramazan friend by helping you and your family to have a more meaningful time during this holy month.

Ramazan activities such as doing Sehri or Iftar and fasting to Eid celebrations are the moments that fill this holy month. With many features across various products, Google is here to help Pakistan to focus on their Ramazan, stay connected and have meaningful time with their families wherever they are.

Fast friend

Changing routines is a challenge in itself. This year, not only fasting for a whole month but also having to keep active in the midst of the new normal may be a challenge. Start with searching for the words ‘Ramadan’ or ‘Ramadan 2022’ in Google search to get information about the starting date of fasting, greetings to prayer timings and various other things that can be found this way to help you plan your activities in the month right up till Eidul Fitr.

With the help of business hours on Google Maps, business owners can also keep their business information on Google accurate and up to date, especially with the applications like Imsak and Iftar timings.

After a day of fasting, breaking the fast is something that one looks forward to while wanting to spend that time with family or close relatives. The joy of breaking fast together can continue to be felt from home or wherever a person is. For example, baking or cooking activities to spend time and trying various recipes from all over the world, are widely available on Google Search. If anything, one can always look for “delivery restaurants near me” on Google Search and Maps.

When it’s Namaz time, Qibla Finder will help locate the fixed direction towards the Ka’bah.

Ramazan gatherings

To help find more activities to do during the day while waiting for Iftar, Google Arts & Culture released Art Colouring Book — Ramazan and Eid Edition that enables everyone to learn and colour their favourite artwork directly on the site or application.

Google Play also provides various recommended applications, entertaining games, and special promos through the Editor’s Choice tab to accompany Pakistan in this holy month. Be sure to check out Google Play Points to receive up to 5x points during points events that you can redeem to any application of your choice.

Looking ahead to Eid

What is special about the moment before Eid, is preparing to present one’s best self from what to wear to what to bring on the day of Eid. For this point, the lens or scan with Google Lens provides the ‘shopping’ feature.

Eidul Fitr is a moment where all family and relatives gather and stay in touch. With various Google Duo features such as special filters for Ramazan, group calls, video messages, data saving mode, and Duo on the Web -- it is hoped that it can help strengthen ties of friendship, and celebrating Eid from home and stay in accordance with health protocols.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2022