Another year and another month of blessings and spiritual renewal. But before the Holy Month of Ramadan arrived – in the days leading up to it – it was time the thoughts were firmly ensconced on the preparations for the month-long fasting.
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is observed by Muslims all across the world as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection, charity, kindness and community. A commemoration of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) first revelation, Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
As they prepared for the blessed month, Qatar Tribune caught up with a cross section of Indian expatriates to find out how they had planned to balance up their work schedules, the way they anticipated the month of blessings was going to pan out, and and how it’s such a special time in their lives. Excerpts of what they shared with us:
‘Ramadan in Qatar is indeed very special’
RJ Kabir (Doha Wala Kabir)
Evening Drive presenter at FM 107 (Qatar Media Corporation)
Preparation for Ramadan has always been effortless for me and this time, with the family, it feels like the blessings have increased manifold. This is the first time I’ll be spending Ramadan with my family in Qatar and I hope it will be a memorable one.
Being an RJ gives me a lot of advantage and this time around my show has been shifted to 8pm so I have the whole day for me in Ramadan for prayers and Ramadan duties.
The family atmosphere changes everything; when you have your family you pray with them, you have iftaar and suhour with them; you sit with them and just randomly discuss life; trust me it keeps you happy and Allah sends blessings.
Ramadan in Qatar is indeed very special and will always be different for us as expatriates.
‘Very much possible to maintain a
productive work schedule’
Aisha Jamal
A management graduate who has worked in India and the Gulf region. A mother to twin girls, she’s a homemaker now
Preparing for the month-long fasting was about adjusting my eating and sleep habits in the weeks leading up to the holy month of Ramadan. This entailed gradually reducing my food and drink intake, and shifting my bedtime earlier so I could wake up for suhour without feeling too tired.
Staying hydrated is also an important aspect of preparing for Ramadan, so one had to increase the water intake in the days leading up to Ramadan and make sure to drink plenty of water during the non-fasting hours. In addition to these physical preparations, it’s about spending more time in prayer, reading the holy Quran, and performing acts of charity and kindness towards others to deepen my spiritual practice during the month.
As for managing the work schedule and routine, this can be challenging. One approach I would take is to adjust my work hours to accommodate the fasting schedule. For example, I might shift my work day earlier or later so that I can break my fast and eat dinner at the appropriate time. This might involve working shorter hours during the fasting period or taking breaks to pray or rest as needed.
Another strategy I use to manage my work routine during Ramadan is to prioritise my tasks and responsibilities. I try to complete important or time-sensitive work early in the day, when my energy and focus are highest.
With careful planning and communication, it’s possible to maintain a productive work routine during Ramadan.
Family atmosphere does changes during this blessed month, through shared meals and gatherings during iftar and suhour. These meals are a time for family members to come together and break their fast, and can be an opportunity for bonding and connection.
In addition to shared meals, Ramadan can also be a time for enhanced spiritual reflection and engagement within families. This involves reading the holy Quran, performing acts of charity and kindness towards others, and attending mosque together. These shared activities help to reinforce shared values and beliefs.
There are many mosques and Islamic centers throughout the country where individuals can attend prayers and engage in other spiritual activities. Many of these venues also offer educational programmes and other resources to help individuals deepen their understanding of the significance of Ramadan.
There are many opportunities for individuals and families to give back to their communities and to help those in need. This involves volunteering at a local charity, donating food or other supplies, or participating in a range of events and activities.
‘It’s about being patient and sincere’
Humaira Shaffique
Majoring in Computer Engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Her hobbies include painting, crochet, playing badminton and basketball, and social work
Ramadan is not only a month of blessings but is also about being patient and sincere in our worship. Preparing for the holy month of Ramadan, is like an exam, if you don’t prepare beforehand, you cannot perform your best, which we all know deep down we have the capability of doing. Similarly, we need to get ready mentally and physically for Ramadan so that when it eventually arrives, we can make the most out of it. Some ways that I adopt is to maintain a nutritious diet which includes fresh fruits and vegetables along with dates which promotes brain health. Along with this I am writing down my dua’s on a paper to help me remember at all times what I need to ask for. I am also reading the holy Quran with meaning to understand it even better.
As for managing the work routine, I believe much of my schedule might stay the same but with very little changes. However, I do think I have to very carefully decide the most important task for the day since it’s natural to feel tired while fasting as the day progresses. I also plan to cut any extreme exercise routines to just walking outside for 15-20 minutes to continue maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
‘Ramadan is special to all of us’
Krishna Kumar
General Manager at Astron Certification, founder of Telugu Kala Samithi, and former General Secretary at Indian Cultural Centre (ICC). He has published and presented papers at the Society of Maintenance Reliability Professionals, Florida; International Maintenance Conference Las Vegas, and Meridium Conference in Ronak Virginia. He has also published a book titled ‘Approach to Maintenance
Management’
For centuries, fasting has been practiced as part of various religious beliefs across the world. All religions advocate fasting in one way or the other, which is helpful in the long term for the digestive system and good health. Fasting, thus practiced, can be from dawn to dusk and the fast is broken in different ways.
I knew about Ramadan and the fasting month while I was in India. I closely experienced Ramadan and its details once I came to Qatar in 1995. Although not so judiciously, but I too started fasting. In respect to the local traditions, we refrain from eating or drinking in front of those fasting. As a non-Muslim, this is the least I should do to show my solidarity with fellow Muslim brothers.
During this blessed month, we follow the changed workplace timings as per the local government regulations. Muslim brothers have a change in their daily routines, hence the changed work routine and schedules during the fasting period. We carry out essential activities and reschedule low-priority issues to a later date so that business and work routines are not affected.
As for the children, their school timings change during the holy month. We educate and inform our children to support their Muslim classmates and schoolmates as they are fasting.
Ramadan is special to all of us. This is also the time for shopping daily after breaking the fast. We attend iftar parties hosted by friends and colleagues. Business houses declare promotional sales during the Ramadan period.
