HAPPY GLOBE HUMANISTICS by Dr.FATEMA PALGHARWALA.

The Halal Paradox: Why Your "Pure Veg" Might Not Fit My Plate. It’s vacation time! The bags are packed, the itineraries are set, and my inbox is flooded with the usual travel queries. As yet lately, the conversations haven't just been about historic landmarks or scenic views; they always seem to circle back to food. Specifically, how to navigate the authenticity of what we eat, and for a Dawoodi Bohra, the most critical aspect of sustenance: **Halal**. A recent interaction left me thinking about how much of our world operates on assumptions rather than understanding. I was asked about my food preference. *"Halal,"* I replied simply. The blank stare I received made it obvious the questioner didn't quite grasp the depth of that answer. Attempting to simplify, they asked, *"Veg or Non-Veg?"* *"Both,"* I elaborated, *"provided it is HALAL."* Bang! They walked away, utterly perplexed. The Common Myth: Is Veget...

  So, I was on my routine work schedule and in the middle of a meeting, I received this call from an unsaved number, and the kind man spoke with me and informed me which was not something I ever expected and I just ignored it and continued working. Now after a while I get another call from someone I know and they ask me to please check the number and call back. Well, that turned out to be a genuine call informing me I have to travel to Saudi Arabia for performing Medical khidmat for Hajj.   Seriously I’m shocked. Yes, that was a surprise beyond my expectations. Cool; I just have like 7 days to finish my work and hop on a flight. Yes, dear patrons and readers this series of blogs is going to be about my “Haj-Travel of Life”. And I never filled any forms for this or gave my names on any lists or pulled any strings neither paid anything, completely based on my work ethics I was called in as a Doctor for Medical khidmat on Haj1443.   Are you with me for these eventful 40 days...