The biggest festival which  celebrated in Kalash  Region is chilam Joshi. The Chilam Joshi Festival is an annual celebration observed by the Kalash community residing in Pakistan’s Chitral District, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This festival signifies the arrival of spring among the Kalasha people and is typically held from May 13th to May 16th each year.   Chilam Joshi Festival is conducted in three key Kalash valleys: Bumburet, Birir, and Rumbur. During this festive event, Kalash girls and boys engage in traditional dance accompanied by rhythmic drum beats. The festivities of Chilam Joshi showcase the cultural vibrancy of the Kalasha community, characterized by a riot of colors and an underlying message of promoting peace.   This festival serves dual purposes, both spiritual and social. The Kalasha people offer prayers for the well-being of their livestock, invoking their deity known as Goshidai. Additionally, Chilam Joshi provides a platform for the Kalasha community to seek potential life partners, and successful connections are often announced at the conclusion of the festival.

Teaching small Muslim kids about Islam can be a rewarding experience. The basic rule is to  show them  practical Muslims behavior in their surroundings. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Start with the Basics:

Begin by teaching them the fundamental beliefs and concepts of Islam, such as the belief in one God (Tawhid), the importance of prayer (Salat), charity (Zakat), fasting during Ramadan (Sawm), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj).

2. Use Simple Language:

Explain these concepts in simple, age-appropriate language. Avoid using complex terminology that might confuse them.

3. Lead by Example:

Children often learn best by observing. Practice what you preach by demonstrating Islamic values and actions in your daily life.

4.Storytelling:

Share Islamic stories and parables from Islamic history and the Quran. These stories often contain valuable lessons and can captivate children’s interest.

5. Interactive Learning:

Engage kids through interactive activities like coloring Islamic patterns, making crafts related to Islamic symbols, or playing educational games about Islamic concepts.

6. Attend Religious Gatherings:

Take them to the mosque for Friday prayers or other age-appropriate religious gatherings, so they can experience the sense of community and worship.

7. Read Quran Together:

You can start with simple verses and gradually progress. Explain the meanings and lessons behind the verses you read together.

8. Encourage Questions:

Be open to answering their questions about Islam. Encourage their curiosity and provide age-appropriate answers.

9. Practical Rituals:

Teach them how to perform Wudu (ritual washing before prayer) and encourage them to join you in daily prayers when they are ready.

10. Be Patient and Consistent:

Teaching children about religion takes time and patience. Be consistent in your efforts and adapt your teaching approach as they grow and develop.

11. Respect Their Individuality:

Allow them to form their own relationship with Islam. Respect their questions, doubts, and personal journey.

12. Celebrate Islamic Festivals:

Make Islamic holidays like Eid special by involving them in preparations, explaining the significance, and participating in festive activities.

13. Set a Positive Example:

Your behavior and attitude towards Islam will have a significant impact on how they perceive and practice their faith.

Remember that the key is to make learning about Islam an enjoyable and meaningful experience for children, nurturing their love and understanding of their faith as they grow.

In Islam, certain actions and behaviors are considered prohibited (haram) or discouraged (makruh), which are against the order of Allah.These include:

1. Consuming alcohol and intoxicants.

2. Eating pork and pork products.

3. Engaging in usury (riba).

4. Theft, fraud, and dishonesty.

5. Adultery and fornication.

6. Gambling and games of chance.

7. Backbiting and slander.

8. Lying.

9. Idolatry and polytheism (shirk).

10. Consuming doubtful food.( consume only halal (permissible) food.)

11. unlawful sexual behavior.

12.  harmful actions, including violence.

13. Disobeying and disrespecting  parents.

Interpretations of these prohibitions may vary among Islamic scholars and schools of thought, and Muslims are encouraged to seek forgiveness and strive for improvement through acts of worship and righteous deeds.

The timing of the Isha prayer, one of the five daily prayers in Islam, varies according to the location and the position of the sun. Isha prayer is performed after sunset when the sky has fully darkened, following the Maghrib prayer.

The precise time for Isha prayer is subject to change throughout the year due to the geographical location’s latitude and local methods of calculating prayer times. Therefore, the specific time for Isha prayer will differ from one region to another.

To ascertain the accurate Isha prayer time for a particular location and date, individuals can refer to local Islamic prayer schedules, Islamic websites or apps that provide prayer time information, or seek guidance from their local mosque or Islamic center, which often disseminates prayer schedules for the community. Additionally, there are online tools and calculators available that can help determine prayer times based on the specific geographical location and date.

The acceptability of music in Islam is a topic marked by diverse viewpoints among Islamic scholars.

According to the Quran majority of scholars believe it’s forbidden in all aspects except a few natural sounds and the daff (light and small drum used by hand).

While a unanimous consensus is absent, certain scholars assert that all forms of music and musical instruments are prohibited (haram) due to concerns regarding potential negative effects on morals and spirituality. They argue that music can be distracting, encourage immoral behavior, or divert individuals from their religious obligations. They also say it’s a sign of the day judgment when it will be common everywhere.

Conversely, there exist scholars and Muslims who contend that music, in and of itself, is not inherently haram. They posit that its permissibility hinges on both content and context. If the lyrics and themes of the music align with Islamic values and if it is enjoyed in moderation without causing neglect of religious duties, it may be deemed permissible. They give example of Qawwali.

It’s worth emphasizing that attitudes towards music in Islam can vary widely, but majority of the scholars say that seeking betterment of afterlife is not a big deal to avoid music.

Music that is generally considered unacceptable in various religious contexts includes:

1. Explicit or vulgar content.

2. Blasphemous or irreverent music.

3. Music with harmful or negative messages.

4. Music associated with idolatry or polytheism.

5. Sacrilegious music is used inappropriately in sacred spaces.

6. Music excessively emphasizing sensuality or sexuality.

7. Music is linked to rituals or beliefs outside of the religion.

However, acceptability can vary widely among religious groups and interpretations. Cultural influences and individual beliefs also play a significant role.