As the month of Ramadan draws to a close, Muslims worldwide eagerly anticipate the celebration of Eid.
We’ve had the pleasure of catching up with Samad Abbaas, one of our Business Analysts, to learn about what he’s been up to during the religious month of Ramadan, and how he’s planning on celebrating Eid with his family.
1. Hi Samad! We’d love to hear all about how Ramadan has gone and what you’ve been getting up to across the religious month. But first, tell us about what you do here at Severn Trent Services.
Hi, I am one of the Business Assistants for Aqualytix – I support some of our most important contracts such as the HM Courts. As a Business Assistant there is a lot to the role, from quoting ppm failures to help drive revenue to doing all the back-end paperwork, admin and reporting to support our KPI scores with the client.
2. What does Ramadan mean to you?
It is a month I look forward to every year, as it is a chance to solely focus on becoming a better person. It’s an opportunity to reset and build better habits to get closer to God. The whole purpose is to become a purer version of yourself in mind and body. It is also important to help build empathy and humility, as when if I get hungry, I know when the sun goes down, I have a nice meal to eat, while there are others in the world that don’t have that luxury.
3. How do you observe Ramadan?
I fast during the daylight hours – that means no food or water (yes, even water!). That is usually always the headline. But this is just a part of Ramadan, there are a lot of things I and as Muslims we are taught to do during Ramadan– such as giving to charity, avoiding swearing or using bad language, avoiding getting angry or doing anything that would cause a negative impact to either you or others.
4. Why is this time of year important to you?
It is important as it’s a month as mentioned above to focus on becoming a better person and a better Muslim. You get the physical benefits of intermittent fasting along side the mental benefits of self-improvement.
5. What would you say your biggest challenges during this time are?
This year has been one of the hardest as for a large portion of Ramadan I was ill, so I was unable to fast. With Ramadan, you should not fast if it will be detrimental to your health, so that also includes anyone who is too young or too old, or anyone ill like I was. Also trying not to be hangry is pretty difficult most of the time haha.
6. With Ramadan ending shortly, and Eid coming up, how are you planning to celebrate this year?
I celebrate Eid the same way every year, I go to the mosque in the morning for our special Eid prayers. Then we head up north to Sheffield to my Grandma’s house where the rest of our family meet up for a big meal with all the cousins, uncles and aunties.
7. And lastly, what’s a top tip to give to a colleague who’s observing Ramadan and Eid this year, and a colleague that isn’t?
Top tip for a colleague who is observing Ramadan and Eid this year – if you’re going out to eat on Eid, order with your brain and not your heart haha
Top tip for a colleague who isn’t – you don’t need to hide or feel like your being disrespectful if you eat or drink around us! 99% don’t mind and anyone that does mind or says somthing is not doing Ramadan properly.
To any of our colleagues, customers and connections who are celebrating over the up and coming days, we wish you and your family a blessed Eid-ul-Fitr.
