Iftar on the job in UAE: Duty comes first for this house help

Ahmed is happy that he gets to end his fast at his room thanks to the reduced working hours.

Sohail Ahmed, 33, from Bangladesh has been working as a house help in Abu Dhabi for the last six months. He believes there is no short cut to hard work, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
"I am keeping my fast. But I don't think that is an excuse not to put in my full effort," Ahmed told Khaleej Times.
He came to the UAE 11 years ago and has been working as a painter. He switched jobs after the company ran into bad days.
"I am lucky that I found this job when many people are struggling out there," said Ahmed.
He starts his work at 9am and goes on till 6pm. His Hindu employer has been kind enough to voluntarily reduce his working hours from 10am to 4pm during Ramadan. "I am grateful to them. They reduced my work hours without me even asking."
Ahmed's duties include cooking and cleaning. "I do everything that is required of me. Fasting is my religious obligation. I don't use it as an excuse."
Ahmed is happy that he gets to end his fast at his room thanks to the reduced working hours. "I rush home, shower and cook my Iftar. In the evening, I have another part-time job from 10pm to 12pm. Ramadan is a time for spirituality. But work is also worship. That is what my parents have taught me. So, I try to strike a balance between the two," said Ahmed.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Ramadan 2021