Ramadan 2022: Abu Dhabi health worker values fasting, enjoys Iftar on the job

Abu Dhabi health worker Hayan Fayez Abdulaziz, says he values the act of fasting during the blessed month of Ramadan, and having Iftar at work is something he always enjoys, because he loves his job.

The Palestinian expat who works in Seha’s Triage Arya in the red zone for Covid-19 patients in Abu Dhabi, is a devout worshipper and treasures the holy month for its spirituality.

“Ramadan is a month of obedience and tolerance. This is a month where we worship God, where family gatherings increase and bonds become stronger due to the period of blessings,” he said.

“Perhaps one of the most important lessons of Ramadan is patience. Fasting teaches us how to manage work and worship. And for me, work is a form of worship, especially when one is working in an important place where you serve people and make them happy.”

The Palestinian health worker says that Ramadan is a time of great rewards from God, and he ensures that he finds time for worship and abstinence.

“I perform the five daily prayers in time as my workplace permits it during working hours. When I return home at night, I perform Tahajjud prayer in addition to reading the Holy Quran and supplications,” said Abdulaziz, adding that he also gives financial donations to help the poor during Ramadan.

According to the health worker, the nature of his work means he does not get to end his fast at home. “I work the afternoon to evening shift, and Iftar always find me on the job,” says Abdulaziz.

“I enjoy ending my fast on the job because I work in an honourable place, and I am proud of my job. As a health worker, taking care of the patients and seeing them happy because of my services makes me feel great and happy,” he said.

The Palestenian says his Iftar meals are always rich in proteins, and comprise vegetables, fish and hot soup as they are easy on the stomach after long hours of fasting.

Abdulaziz however does miss some popular dishes such as Sayadiyah and Shakreen which he used to enjoy with his family back home in Palestine.

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• Abu Dhabi