Episode 10

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Published on:

27th Feb 2026

Day 10 | Technology in Ramadan

Day 10 | Technology in Ramadan

Let's talk about something we're all dealing with: our phones.

Most of us wake up for Suhoor at 4 AM and immediately scrolling through our socials. Then we wonder why we can't fall back asleep.

In this episode, we have an honest, no-judgment conversation about managing screen time during Ramadan; the apps that genuinely help, the Instagram rabbit holes we all fall into, and small ways to be just a bit more present without doing anything dramatic.

You'll hear about:

  1. How apps actually make parts of Ramadan easier (prayer times, suhoor alarms, staying organized)
  2. Why you're photographing your iftar before you've even tasted it
  3. The social highlight reel, everyone's posts look perfect, yours feels simple
  4. Easy ways to create small phone-free moments (just one meal, just one pocket of time)
  5. What to do when people's posts make you feel bad about your own Ramadan
  6. The sweet side of technology: family video calls across continents, WhatsApp groups, online learning
  7. A tiny experiment: one phone-free iftar, just to see what happens

This isn't a lecture. It's just .. real talk. Because we're all living in 2026 with phones in our pockets, trying our best to also be present for the people and moments that matter.

No shame. No pressure. Just thoughtful conversation.

For daily, sharp GCC business and cultural insights that take less than 60 seconds to read, The Souk Secrets newsletter is the place to go. Join here: https://www.thesouksecrets.com/subscribe

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About the Podcast

The Souk Stories
Voices from the Crossroads
The Souk Stories is a podcast about culture, business, and the human experiences that shape Arabic life and Gulf business culture; hosted by Taqua Malik, a cultural intelligence advisor with over a decade of experience bridging Western and GCC worlds.

Each episode explores topics that matter: Gulf business culture, Arabic business etiquette, professional life across borders, and how culture adapts to modernity.

This podcast is for:

- Professionals working across cultures (especially UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar), who are curious about Islamic culture and GCC markets.
- Leaders, lawyers, and globally-minded individuals navigating multicultural spaces, seeking deeper understanding of the Arabic culture, traditions, and identity
- Anyone who believes culture is a bridge, not a barrier

What makes it different?
It's storytelling with substance, not devotional, not surface-level. Just honest, culturally intelligent conversations that help you understand not just what people practice, but why it matters.

Taqua brings insider perspective and global fluency. Based in Dubai, she clarifies without simplifying, educates without preaching, and connects tradition to modern professional life with warmth and precision.

From Ramadan reflections to business etiquette and honor codes, every episode expands your understanding and sharpens your cultural intelligence.

For daily, sharp GCC business and cultural insights that take less than 60 seconds to read, The Souk Secrets newsletter is the place to go. Join here: https://www.thesouksecrets.com/subscribe

Subscribe. Listen. Reflect. Connect.

About your host

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Taqua Malik

Taqua Malik is a cultural intelligence advisor and founder of Freedomvisory, specializing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets. With over 15 years of experience bridging Western and Gulf business cultures, she advises decision makers, global law firms, advisors, and professional services on navigating the cultural and professional norms in the GCC, mainly the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Based in Dubai, Taqua brings deep cultural fluency to conversations about culture, identity, business etiquette, and cross-border strategy. She is also the creator of The Souk Stories podcast and founder of The Souk Tribe, a premium community for professionals seeking cultural intelligence in GCC markets.

Through her work, Taqua helps globally-minded leaders understand not just what to do - but why it matters - when operating across cultures.