Ramadan Edition - How technology transformed observing faith for Muslims

Ramadan Edition - How technology transformed observing faith for Muslims

Author: The National News March 27, 2024 Duration: 24:04
In today's fast-paced world, technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, and religious rituals are no different. And in Ramadan, Muslims around the world increase their engagement with faith through fasting, performing prayers at mosques and reading the Quran. From checking Iftar, Suhoor and daily prayer timings, to recitations, and remembrances, Muslims now depend on many apps to assist them in their rituals and worshipping habits. In this episode of Business Extra, host Cody Combs delves into the intersection of technology and spirituality, and explore how Muslims are utilizing various apps to enrich their Ramadan experience. He interviews Nafees Khundker, the group managing director of Bitsmedia, the company that owns Muslim Pro app and Muslim streaming service Qalbox with over 2.1 million downloads in the UAE and 150 million downloads worldwide.

Tune into Business Extra for a clear-eyed look at the forces shaping commerce in the Middle East and beyond. Produced by The National News, this podcast moves past the headlines to deliver substantive conversations with the analysts, executives, and innovators driving change. Each episode leans on the deep regional expertise of our editors and reporters, who translate complex developments in markets, energy, and technology into accessible insights. You’ll hear grounded discussions that connect local trends to global patterns, offering a necessary perspective on one of the planet's most dynamic economic landscapes. Whether it's a shift in oil policy, a tech startup's rise, or a new trade agreement, this series provides the context often missing from daily news cycles. For anyone with a stake in understanding how business really works in this pivotal region, Business Extra is an essential listen, blending authoritative journalism with genuine curiosity. The result is a consistently informative podcast that feels less like a briefing and more like a series of insightful conversations with people who have their finger on the pulse.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Business Extra
Podcast Episodes
Sanctions on Syria: a look back, a way forward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:38
For more than a decade, Syria has been under international sanctions aimed at pressuring Bashar Al Assad’s regime. But there is a longer history of sanctions on the country and the broader Middle East. Sanctions can be u…
Al Masaood Automobiles chief on the future of mobility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:14
This episode is sponsored by Al Masaood Automobiles The global automotive industry is undergoing dramatic transformation as owners seek more from their vehicles – and technology delivers. This is evident in the UAE where…
AI and the Gulf: Where it's been and what's next [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:04
In the past decade, Gulf countries have prioritised innovation. It's part of a shift from their prime standing as oil economies to their new goal of using the advent of AI to enhance their economies all around. It's gett…
IFC's Makhtar Diop on AI, investments and emerging markets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:40
Global leaders, policymakers and industry experts came together in Dubai this week at the World Governments Summit to discuss the most pressing challenges shaping the future. With a focus on sustainability, AI governance…
Business Extra is back with a new host [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:55
Tune in every other Wednesday for top stories from a global business hotspot, with vital analysis from renowned experts, diverse perspectives from key figures, and exclusive insight from The National's team of reporters.
Trump-Damac Dealing: What's behind it and what's next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:59
Two weeks before returning to office, US president-elect Donald Trump has his eyes on the Middle East — and business interests that are storied to him, but new to the White House. The latest one stars one of the biggest…
Cash, not credit: the enduring power of paper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:12
For the past few decades, slowly but surely, paper cash has increasingly been viewed as antiquated. Digital payment options are in. You can pay by card, by phone and even by smartwatch. Some people even opt to pay via cr…