Episode 16 Rest It Up Exclusive with Abdullah Wadi
Watch Level Up with Ziyaad, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes on Radio Islam International MW 1548
Episode 16: Rest It Up Exclusive with Abdullah Wadi
Sunday 21st December 2025 / 30th Jumada al Ukhra 1447AH 14h00 - 15h00 (CAT)
Listen to Level Up with Ziyaad, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes on Radio Islam International MW 1548
Episode 16: Rest It Up Exclusive with Abdullah Wadi
Sunday 21st December 2025 / 30th Jumada al Ukhra 1447AH 14h00 - 15h00 (CAT)
Transcript
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To dear listeners, it's just past 200 p.m. in South Africa and it's our
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favorite day of the week, Yomul Aad. And due to the moon not being cited here in South Africa last night, alhamdulillah,
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we have one more day, the 30th day of Jamad Ukra 1447
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ah which corresponds to Sunday the 21st of December 2025.
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Now, the uh 21st of December is actually known as the summer solstice here in the southern hemisphere, which is supposed
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to be the longest day um full of sunlight, but not here in Johannesburg at the moment, and the shortest night as
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well. And then obviously in the uh northern hemisphere, there's the winter solstice. So, the shortest day and the
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longest night. I'm Zad Plchies. Welcome to Level Up, where we listen, learn, and
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grow, inshallah, with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's guidance, and we break down the week's news and talk about what really matters to young Muslims today.
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Our WhatsApp line is open. The number is 0727861548.
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You can call in on 01854702 or DM us on iilz.com.
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That's I L O V E Z A C O M.
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So today you will notice that my co-hosts Nabia and Issa Plachis have not joined me as they have not been well
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myself included. But the program must go on inshallah. Alhamdulillah, I managed to keep my voice just barely if you can
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hear. Um, Nabia can't talk because her throat is inflamed and Issa is nonstop
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coughing. So, please remember us in your humble duas inshallah.
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In the program today after the half hour, we will be hearing from brother Abdullah on what to do in Impumalanga.
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But right now, let's take a look at the news.
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So, um, in the headlines this week, which was rather coincidental, there's a
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new H3 into influenza strain, and it's raising concerns about this flu season.
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So the article discusses the emergence of a new influenza strain, the H3N2 subclaid K, which is causing concern
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among global health experts for the 2025 2026 flu season.
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Um, so there's been significant mutations. This version of the H3N2 virus has developed approximately 10
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additional mutations since the current vaccine formulation was decided in early 2025.
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So if you've had the vaccination or the flu shot, um there's been 10 mutations since then, so you might need a new flu
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shot. Um, these changes known as antigenic drift makes the virus look different to the immune system than the strains included in this year's vaccine.
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In the US, the subclaid now accounts for about 90% of the H3N2 cases up from the
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40% in their summer. So, our winter um Canada, Japan, and the UK have seen early or severe flu spikes.
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The UK's National Health Service has warned of a cruel winter with potentially triple the cases of last
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year. While the US flu activity currently remains at typical levels for this time of year, experts are weary
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because the H3 N2 strains historically cause more hospitalizations and deaths, particularly in children and the elderly.
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There is a concern that the mutations might lead to a mismatch, making the vaccine less effective at preventing infection.
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Flu vaccinations in the US are down nearly 7% about 3 million fewer doses compared to last year. A recent 43-day
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government shutdown limited the flow of health data which experts believe may have hindered public awareness and vaccine uptake during peak months.
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Despite the drift, experts emphasize that the vaccine still offers significant protection against severe illnesses and death. Early data from the
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UK shows the vaccine remains 32% to 75% effective at preventing emergency room visits.
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Current antiviral medications are still effective against subclaid K and are recommended for high-risk patients.
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Health officials stress the importance of respiratory hygiene and staying home when sick to reduce the strain on the
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health care system. Okay. So, it's been hard hit in the UK, the US, and in other countries. I'm not sure if it's what we have at the moment here in South Africa.
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Um, what Nabia, Isa, and myself are suffering at the moment. Um, but there is a like they said 10 new mutations.
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And, um, there's obviously it's it's so large that it's got its own subclaid
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K. um that's the H3N2 virus that's currently going around. So I think just be safe um rest when you
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can and eat healthy. And since we're talking about eating healthy, there are many sunnah foods recommended for both a
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general health and supporting recovery from illness.
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Um we know there's uh talbina. So the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam specifically recommended Bali
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soup talbina for the ill and those experiencing sorrow saying it strengthens the heart of the sad person
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and relieves the heart of the ill person. Alhamdulillah. Subhan Allah.
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Talbina is a soft easy to digest porridge made from barley flour milk and honey. known for for its high fiber
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content which can help lower cholesterol and support gut health.
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Then we know the famous honey um it's mentioned in the Quran as a source of healing for people. Honey is a natural
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anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial agent. It is highly recommended for soothing
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coughs, aiding digestion and generally boosting the immune system. Something that we've been having this week as well
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um for our throats is honey. Uh black seed or kunji. The prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam famously
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stated that black seed is a cure for every disease except death. Its oil has significant medicinal properties
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including immune boosting and anti-inflam inflammatory effects. And it's used in traditional medicine to
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help with various conditions from respiratory issues to skin problems. And one that I love to have is dates.
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Um, as a highly nutritious fruit rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and natural sugars, dates provide essential energy
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and can help prevent anemia. They are easily digestible and help equip the body with necessary nutrients during
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illness or recovery. The prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam used to eat them regularly and break fast
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with them and it's just um 2 months left before uh Ramadan again.
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Um yeah so tomorrow will be the first of Rajab inshallah.
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Then the next one is olive oil. Is described as coming from a blessed tree in the Quran. Olive oil is a core component of healthy diets and is known
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for its benefits for cardiovascular health and digestion due to its anti-inflammatory properties and healthy
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fats. It can be consumed as food or applied topically. Um so those are the main sunnah foods.
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There are other beneficial sunnah foods.
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There's milk. So the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam highly valued milk as a complete source of nourishment
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providing protein, calcium and other vital nutrients for maintaining healthy bones and supporting muscle repair. We
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know that there is um the golden milk if you know uh when you mix honey, turmeric uh milk, I'm not sure what else. Um I
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don't have the recipe off hand. Um there's also um we have almond milk. So badam milk um that we also have. So
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those are all uh very good for your health. Cucumbers also something that I didn't know. The prophet Muhammad
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sallallahu alaihi wasallam was observed eating fresh dates with cucumbers which scholars noted helped the balance to
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balance the hot quality of dates with the cold and wet nature of cucumbers.
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Cucumbers are hydrating and rich in vitamins and antioxidants. So, it's not only good for uh putting over your eyes.
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Um, which that actually helps quite quite a bit if if you've tried it. And then figs and pomegranates. These fruits
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are also mentioned in the Quran and Sunna for their high nutritional value containing fiber, vitamins, and
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antioxidants that support digestion and overall health.
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So these foods offer a holistic approach to health that combines spiritual significance with clear nutritional
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benefits making them valuable additions to the diet of a sick or recovering person.
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And obviously now modernday science has also realized that these uh foods are
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well of high uh importance in your diet like they said to to help for a a sick
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or recovering person. I remember seeing this uh meme a few years ago and I always use it when I'm sick. It says,
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"Being sick is just your body's way of saying you're way too awesome and you need to slow down so everyone else can
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catch up." So, I'm just going to let uh I think Nabia, myself, and Issa are just going to let everyone else catch up.
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We're way too awesome. Alhamdulillah.
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Subhan Allah. And um we're just going to let them all just catch up. And I think it's this time of the year now. If you
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don't um if you haven't taken rest like we haven't and you've just been at it the whole year, your body just seems to
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shut down. And in Islam, sickness is a is a profound mercy from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. It's a spiritual purification
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process, a test of faith and an opportunity for immense reward where sins are expediated, ranks increase, and
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one reconnects with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, leading to humility and reflection on the fragility of life and
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the afterlife. All while encouraging patience and seeking healing through dua and medicine and obviously sunna foods.
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um if you don't have access to medicine, there is these sunnah foods that help tremendously um which you don't need over-the-counter
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medication for. So, let's talk about um the spiritual significance of being sick. There's purification and
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forgiveness. Illness cleanses sins much like a fire refineses iron with every ache or cough, potentially wiping away impurities.
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Their spiritual growth sickness fosters mindfulness, humility, repentance, and a deeper connection with Allah subhanana
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wa ta'ala, highlighting life's temporary nature and the importance of the hereafter.
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There's also reward. So Allah records the same good deeds for a sick believer as when they were healthy and even more
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as a sign of his love and mercy. We know that uh we're always taught that um the duas of a sick person are always answered by Allah subhanana wa ta'ala.
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And then also visiting sick people um is also a great reward because they will also make dua for you when when you
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visit them. But just visiting them it reminds us again once of uh the hereafter.
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And there's also what we learn is sabar, patience. Enduring illness with patience is a ver virtue that brings great reward.
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We learn gratitude or shuk. Being thankful even in sickness shows faith and strengthens the soul.
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Uh we'll make lots of dua. So reciting specific prayers like the last three suras of the Quran. Uh so your three
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cools and asking for healing are important.
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And then Islam encourages using medicine and seeking treatment as health is a blessing. But trust in Allah for the
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ultimate cure. Um, a few weeks ago, I think I heard one of the um,
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one of the um, lectures at the masid and um, the molana was actually talking
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about um, one of the prophets that went to uh, Allah subhana wa ta'ala to ask,
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you know, to be healed. And Allah subhanana wa ta'ala said, you know, go to this tree and then you'll be healed.
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and they went to the tree and uh they had from the tree and alhamdulillah they were healed and then the next time they
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were sick they didn't ask Allah subhana wa ta'ala um you know what must they do and they just went to the tree and they
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ate from the tree the fruit or the leaves or whatever it was and um then they didn't get better and they
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went back again and they ate from the tree again and they still didn't get better and then they went to Allahhanaa and said, "Allah, you told me to go to
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this tree and you uh you said that it will heal me." And then Allah subhana wa ta'ala said, "You know, that was the
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first time you did not come to me. You did not ask me to heal you." And Allah is the only one that can heal us. If
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Allah wills, Allah will make it so that we will be healed from whatever it is.
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It can be the smallest plant that he will tell us to eat. um the date uh that can that can change everything or we
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might need to have some guidance through a doctor that we need medication or whatever it is. Um but Allah subhanahu
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wa ta'ala is the only one that can heal us and we need to know that Allah is the only one that can do that. And then
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visiting the sick is a communal obligation and a way to offer comfort and spiritual upliftment, reminding us of the spiritual benefits.
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So sickness is a test to gauge a believer's patience and faith, not necessarily a punishment. It's definitely not a punishment um for for
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us who are busy all the time. It's a time to rest especially now um at this
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uh end of the year and um I think it's it's it's a blessing to just have this time alone um to just
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rest to sleep you know to make full use of just sitting on the mat the whole day
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um making dua reading Quran and just just resting letting your body just um
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uh recharge And despite the difficulty, illness is framed as a manifestation of Allah
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Subhanahu Waaala's boundless mercy. In essence, being sick as a Muslim transforms a physical hardship into a
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spiritual journey of purification, immense reward, and deeper reliance on Allah subhanahu wa'ta'ala.
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So if you would like to join the conversation, our WhatsApp line is 0727861548.
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You can call in on 0185472 or you can DM us on
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social media. I hope that this session, this first half was very beneficial. It was to me. I've learned quite a lot.
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Alhamdulillah. Listen, learn and grow, inshallah. Let's go for a break and when we get back we will hear from brother Abdullah on what to do this holidays in
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Impumalanga inshallah tutoring mentoring homeschool assistance
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concessions facilitation and more visit after grant academy the dawn of
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excellence and welcome back to level up I think it
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just hits a little bit differently when I'm doing it and Issa is not doing it.
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If you've just tuned in, we have been talking all about the new strain of flu, sunnah, foods and sickness in Islam.
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Right now, we will be hearing from brother Abdullah on what to do in Impumalanga this holiday period. If you would like to join the conversation, our
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WhatsApp line is open. The number is 0727861548 or you can call in on 01854702
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or you can DM us on at i love.com. Assalamu alaykum hope everybody's well.
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This is Abdullah DLS Safaris welcoming people to malanga. Firstly, we all know that the greater Krueger Kruger National
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Park itself the highest attraction uh worldwide worldrenowned Krugerg National Park Alumna that's the first main
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attraction people are attracted to and come to in the holidays or come to generally throughout the year and then obviously along the way we have special
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places like if you're doing a panorama route your Blide River Canyon uh Krasco gorge and lift is the new setup godge
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window uh port holes Those are the major attraction areas alhamdlow when people do sightseeing they do sightseeing days
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and we've got the sabi area uh something a lot of people don't do but there's also the barbatan mountains area very mountainous and along the malalan way
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you're going along the kamati port way uh there's a lot of areas that side as well sabi hazy view krascop along to
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pass along the lidenber road uh in terms of halal food nail spread hazy view ourself throughout in khad nail spread
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there's a lot places uh and alhamdulillah it's been much more different than before things have evolved a lot of beautiful places in
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terms of activities horse riding uh white water rafting pinball shooting
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quad biking these facilities are also available in the hazy view parameter hazy view parameter is very known for a lot of activities in it as well and
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alhamdulillah so it's all guest discretion and what guests like to do but these are just the main focus points that are available in the main
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attraction areas and in the main areas around our malanga.
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Alhamdulillah. Shukran to uh brother Abdullah for um telling us all these
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special places in Pumalanga to go and Pumalanga is such a beautiful place mashallah. Subhan Allah. It's um it's
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one of the places that that now for this rest period is definitely a place to go and see and just to see Allah subhanahu
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wa ta'ala's creations the barbatan mountains um the borks potholes
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um all the um the blide river canyon uh you know all the the um macm falls all
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these things in nature that Allah subhanana wa ta'ala has gifted us with and it's right here in South Africa We don't have to go far. I mean, if if um
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you're in Johannesburg, it takes you about what 3 or 4 hours to get to these places. It's not it's not that far.
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These um Instagram influencers always say it's just 4 hours outside of Johannesburg. Yeah. You know, cuz 4 hours is not is not long. But
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alhamdulillah, it isn't. Um we have we've spoken about it. We've got good um
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uh road infrastructure. So um take a take a drive to Impumalanga. There's other places besides Kruger National
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Park. Obviously that's that's the main attraction like brother Abdullah did say. Um but there are other places as well. It's such a beauty to just drive
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around there. I think we went about 2 or 3 years ago and we just drove through Krascope and Barbaton and uh Nalplate as
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well. Um there's so many places, so many things to see. um s such a lot to just
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take in in the um picturesque views there in Pumalanga and talking about um
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halal places in Nalpate itself there's a puma service station right in the center
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of Nalpet Puma on the go um Nalpet Bombella as it's now known and they have halal eeries there I think there's a
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chicken place um a cafe as well um burger place. Um and there's a convenience store. So you can find them
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on social media at uh puma onthego.
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And yeah, if you are in the area, go fill up with there as well. Um yeah, a nice place to go to.
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And talking about resting, it's important to to schedule rest. Um, you
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know, we always think that that rest is, you know, once we finished with everything, then that's when we'll rest.
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And you should actually plan a week, um, of resting or plan within your week some time to rest.
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Um right now uh how is unplanned and but we are resting and I think uh
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there's lots of things to uh as our poster says rest it up. So if you want to plan a week of resting it up it helps
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to have a mix of activities that recharge your mind, body and soul. So if you're looking at physical recovery um
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you can do gentle stretching um you know a little bit of exercise focus on flexibility and breathing
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rather than a workout. So just gentle exercises. Um they say yoga is good as well but salah is always the best. Um
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you know the more salas you make uh the more uh not exercise but it helps with
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the blood circulation, it helps with your breathing, it helps with your focus. Um so that's if you're doing
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physical recovery. There's also, we spoke about, I think a few weeks ago, um your uh ice plunges
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or cold hot sauners. Um there's Ipsum salt baths as well, so great for soothing muscles and forcing you to
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disconnect from your phone for 20 minutes. So if you want to leave your phone, then do the ice plunge, the Ipsum
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salt bath, the hot sauna. You can't keep your phone with you in those uh conditions.
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And then um there's long form sleep. So forget the alarm clock for a day and let your body wake up naturally.
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Alhamdulillah I do that every day. I don't have an alarm. My body automatically wakes up naturally. But um
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most people use alarms. So you know just try and let your body go to bed early.
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uh after I isha uh you know get get into bed just relax you know don't look at
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your phone and you'll you'll see you'll wake up for fudger inshallah without an alarm clock or maybe even for tahud who
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knows but but try that and then if you need to if you feel like you didn't get enough rest go back to bed after fajar
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but it's a sunnah to to sleep after d between d and assur so if you are able
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ble to stay awake after faj do a little bit of stuff like we say the hash after faj grind and then after have have your
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nap and inshallah you'll have quite a restful period then um if you want to you can try a
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little bit of mental play or creative um things to do try something with no goal
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um a few hobbies maybe low stake hobbies like adult coloring books, maybe um building a small Lego set or light
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gardening. You know, these type of hobbies are uh something that just takes your mind off of, you know, what's
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happening in the world, looking at your screen, um reading a book, reading Quran, you know, th those type of things.
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Uh digital detox, set a window, even if it's just for four hours of the day. I know lots of people are, you know, on holiday now, so they're away from work.
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So, if you can that time that you were at work, you know, that 8 hours, um, maybe not look at your phone then or
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laptop or any screen, um, you can set an alarm as well if you want to. So, if you
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really need to get back to it, but um, just for a few hours, put your phone in another room, put it on silent. um you
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know uh just I know you know everyone's connected and in case of emergency and this and that whatever but try it you
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it's it's your time to to rest so you don't need you don't owe anybody an explanation you if your body is telling
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you that you need to rest then it's something that you need to do. Yeah. So, um
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do that. Uh set a set a window a time frame that you want to just keep your phone away from you and try it out. Uh
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you might be surprised with what happens when you digitally detox. I think Issa spoke about that a few weeks ago. Um and
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then reading for pleasure, not for work or self-improvement. Just a story um that you want to read. Maybe you want to
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do some uh you know light reading, read a little bit of a fictional novel. Um just
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something that that doesn't h you know you don't have to use your brain basically. Um and then there's
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connection with nature. So I just spoke about it you know going to Impumalanga.
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If you can't go to Impumalanga, if you have a a little garden outside, take your um your shoes, your socks off and go barefoot on the grass or the sand.
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It's it's so healing. I tried it this week um while I was outside. There was a quite a little bit of sunlight. I took a
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chair outside and I sat in the sunlight and I said, "You know what? Let me just try this." I always hear that earthing
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yourself is really good for you. And I took off my socks. I took off my shoes. And I just let my feet touch the grass.
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And alhamdulillah, subhan Allah, it was such a such a a pleasure to just feel
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that uh grass on your feet. And this is things that we take for granted that we don't even realize. You know, we always uh walking with our shoes everywhere.
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Um, some people don't take off their shoes when they come in the home. We do that, you know, to keep the place clean and,
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you know, our surroundings clean because you're bringing in the dirt and the bad energy from outside. But, you know, you're always wearing your shoes and you never really earth yourself.
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And you can obviously do it in your home on your tiles or your carpets or whatever,
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but actually going out and and having your body um reconnect with the earth
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through the sand or the grass or whatever it is right now as well. It's raining. So if you if you want to um you
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know just feel um Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's mercy on you then go out uh feel the earth, feel the rain.
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Alhamdulillah.
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And then slow nature walks are also something that you should that you should try to do. So walk without a destination or fitness tracker goal.
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Just look at the trees. Don't worry about how many steps you did. Don't worry about where um you're going, you
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know, just just go outside and um there's lots of nature reserves here in South Africa. Alhamdulillah. Um even
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here just in Johannesburg, we have quite a few. We have a list of them on our website.com.
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We've actually gone to quite a few of them. So you can see um some pictures and some of our so not reviews but
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basically what you can expect at some of these um parks and nature reserves and just go there. There's um bird parks as
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well. you can go and just look at the birds um in those areas and there's
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there's so much just to to do without worrying about oh I need to get 10,000 steps or oh I need to get to this
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destination or top of table mountain whatever it is just enjoy it and last
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but not least is outdoor lounging. So, like I said, um I took a chair out, but you can take a blanket outside. Just
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watch the clouds or the sunset. Um make sure that you're in before Mahip. Uh but just go outside and enjoy yourself. If
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you don't have a beach, Johannesburg, we're not fortunate enough to have a beach, so we can't go and sit at the beach. But there's parks, like I said,
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if you if you're not fortunate enough to have a little garden outside, um there are other places where you can just go
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and relax, take a little uh blanket with you and just lie and look up at the the
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clouds. Um you can read some vikar while you're doing it. Uh read some durude while you while you're just laying
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there. Um it's something that that we need for our bodies and especially now
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coming towards Ramadan um we want to be on that path on the correct path inshallah and um we want to start preparing for Ramadan inshallah.
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So the best rest often comes from removing shoulds. So try to spend one day where you don't do anything because
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you should, but only because you want to.
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So um that's very important. Um do stuff because you want to. Like I said, you don't owe anybody an explanation. If
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there's things that that you miss because you're not well or because you need to rest, your body needs it. So
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just listen to your body. Um take heed of it. uh the signs, the warning signs, whatever it is, eat
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healthy, rest well, inshallah. So remember that this time, alhamdulillah, lots of company shut down. So people
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have some rest. Uh that's if you're not busy with your family, taking them out and you know spending quality time with
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them. But you can do that at home as well. There's so many things to do besides um just going out. There's board
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games that you can play with them. Um there's uh you know stuff that you you
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can do uh that I think there was another um lecture on a Friday where Moana was
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talking about what to do during the holiday period.
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And one of the things that uh he mentioned was that you should try and spend quality time with your family. And
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it doesn't mean, you know, like um going out and and doing something where you have to pay for it. It means just
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spending quality time, you know, like maybe just talking to your family at home or playing something outdoors with
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them. uh like if you have a boy then maybe playing cricket or soccer with them or you know riding a bike or going
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for a walk with them or even just playing some board games and I think those things are also very important. It
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it takes us away from the screen uh like I said and um those are things that that that
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we should look at doing. And with that in mind, I think um like I said, tomorrow is uh inshallah the first of
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Rajab. So Allah Ramadan. Oh Allah bless us in Rajab and
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Shaban and allow us to reach Ramadan inshallah. Amen.
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Um, as we prepare for Ramadan, let us rest well, eat well, travel
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safely, inshallah. If you would like to join the conversation during the week, you can do so on our social media pages
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at iO.
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We on Instagram, Facebook X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Tik Tok as well as threads.
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Shukran to brother Abdullah for sharing um all those beautiful places to go to in Pumalanga inshallah. And um maybe
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some of our listeners will go through and they can let us know what they experience there. And if you have any
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places that you would like to share, um I think we've only done about four or five out of the nine provinces. So if
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there is anything that you would like to share in your province, in your town, in your city, um things to do during this holiday period, I know it's still quite
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a long time before schools go back and uh people get back to the office. So you're more than welcome to share it
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with us and we will share it with our listeners.
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to our dear listeners for joining us on this lovely Sunday afternoon. Keep healthy, rest well, and travel safely,
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inshallah. Join us every Sunday, inshallah, from 2 to 3:00 p.m. right here on Radio Islam International from
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myself, Zad, and my team who are not with me here today, Issa and Nabia.
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Enjoy your Sunday, and we wish you a wonderful week ahead, inshallah.
