51 m. ago From ‘salam’ shower gel to ‘ethnic’ bedding, firms want to celebrate Ramadan. But some can’t even spell ‘iftar’ | Nadeine Asbali

The religious festival is a month of fasting, prayer and community – not consuming and comparing ourselves with one anotherNadeine Asbali is the author of Veiled Threat: On being visibly Muslim in BritainSupermarkets have wheeled out the 20kg bags of rice. High-street stores have popped hijabs on mannequins. Cosmetic companies are churning out products scented with pomegranate, cardamom, saffron and “sticky date” – at Lush you can buy Salam shower gel, Noor lip butter and a massage bar that apparently smells like a turmeric latte. All this can only mean one thing in our modern, consumerist world: Ramadan is upon us.Ramadan, the holiest month in the Muslim calendar, begins this weekend. Like many Muslims, I find it is my favourite time of the year (and not because I can bulk-buy rice for the entire year in my local Tesco). It is a time of spiritual growth and reflection, of turning away from our own desires and egos to focus on God, and of letting go of the trappings of the earthly w...

Culture

94 m. ago 'I was told women weren't allowed to work in the kitchen here. Look at me now'

'In some places, I haven’t even been able to get past the counter purely just because I’m a woman and it’s like, well, you haven’t even seen what I can bring to you yet'

Politics

3 h. ago Exact date UK to be hit by 16C heat as icy cold weather finally eases off

The temperature is set to be nearly double the average for March on at least two days next month but not before a last wintery flurry of snow falls across the UK

Society

5 h. ago Cops stunned as man eating Chinese takeaway walks into station to confess to 'worst thing'

Mark Donovan's confession to police in Ilford, east London, led to Essex Police's grim discovery of Elise Mason's body - and a complex investigation followed

Politics

8 h. ago Meet the family renouncing their US citizenship because of Trump...and it doesn't come cheap

Jennifer Doxey and her family are renouncing their U.S. citizenship, citing political disillusionment and a stronger sense of belonging in Canada. The process is costly and complex.

Politics

8 h. ago Millions of Muslims in Indonesia mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan

Muslims in Indonesia are shopping for sweets and new clothes and taking part in traditional festivities as millions mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan, set to begin Saturday

Politics

10 h. ago Chip Ganassi Racing partners with OpenAI in first motorsports venture for AI company

Chip Ganassi Racing on Friday said it has partnered on a strategic research collaboration with OpenAI — a deal that makes the two-time reigning IndyCar championship winning team the first to bring in a partner from the artificial intelligence field

Politics

11 h. ago Three Met Police officers set to face misconduct probe after exposing 15

The teenager, referred to as Child Q, was strip-searched by female Met officers in 2020 after she was wrongly suspected of bringing in cannabis to her school in Hackney, East London.

Events

15 h. ago This city is like no other in Spain – here’s why you should visit during Ramadan

A place where Islam and Christianity have rubbed shoulders for more than a millennium, the Andalusian city offers a rich experience of cultural discovery, finds Queenie Shaikh

Politics

15 h. ago Ultimate guide to what fasting does to your body: As Ramadan begins, a top dietitian reveals the profound changes to your health

Today marks the start of Ramadan, a time of profound significance for Muslims worldwide. For the next 30 days worshippers will fast - not eating or drinking anything from dawn until sunset.

Events

16 h. ago Ramadan to begin on March 1 as crescent moon seen in Saudi Arabia

For the first time in many years, Ramadan will end before daylight saving time

Politics

16 h. ago David Coote slapped with hefty UEFA ban after 'bringing the game into disrepute'

David Coote was sacked by the PGMOL in December after a video surfaced on social media and the European governing body UEFA have now handed the former Premier League official further punishment

Sport

17 h. ago Elon Musk Grok 3 AI has adult 'sexy' and 'unhinged' modes sparking fears for children

The newly-released Grok 3 chatbot is more risqué than any of its rivals and has told one user: 'I can feel the heat between us already. Why don’t we dim the lights and make it extra cosy'

Politics

17 h. ago Amazon cuts almost £90 off Shark FlexFusion Multi Hot Air Styler

The all-in-one styling and straightening system allows you to style wet and dry hair without heat damage.

Economics

17 h. ago I tried a Temazcal ceremony and my sweat lodge experience was nothing like your average sauna

Having a spiritual experience at the W Hotel was not on my bingo card for this year

Politics

17 h. ago AP PHOTOS: Muslims in Indonesia welcome the holy month of Ramadan

Ramadan is a time of togetherness for Muslims, as they fill mosques for hours of prayer and share large, lavish meals with family, friends and neighbors after days of dawn-to-dusk fasting.

Culture

18 h. ago The exciting Welsh rugby talents in England being targeted for a return to Wales

There is set to be a significant recruitment drive to bring players back to Wales

Events

19 h. ago Gabrielle Union shares major update about husband Dwyane Wade’s cancer

The former Miami Heat player had a cancerous cyst removed in December 2023

Politics

19 h. ago Symptoms of bipolar as Heston Blumenthal says being sectioned was 'best thing'

Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition that presents with significant mood episodes and changes

Politics

19 h. ago Athens protests and Ramadan preparations: photos of the day – Friday

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

Events