Striking a balance between work and religion

Young Muslims alter their office timings to honour their religious commitment during the month of Ramzan

Every year during Ramzan, Seemab Khan turns over the proverbial new leaf. The self-confessed non-conformist does not pay much attention to his religious obligations throughout the year.

“I transform into the God-fearing, prayer-offering, holy book-reciting devout throughout Ramzan. I also fast and practice abstinence,” says the 26-year-old software professional. 

Khan gets up before dawn for the ritualistic meal called ‘sehari’, followed by the ‘fajr namaaz’ — the morning prayer.

Since he prefers to break the fast at home with his family, Khan has altered his office timings to coincide with the ‘iftar’ at sundown.

“I still put in nine hours at office. I start earlier than usual so that I finish in time,” he adds.

With an increasing number of young, middle-class Muslims taking up jobs outside family-run businesses, most of them are now trying to strike a balance between their career and religious obligations.

“I have been doing it for years,” says Neha Sharif, an airline employee and mother of two. The 39-year-old begins her day at dawn, cooking and serving ‘sehari’ to her family. After the morning prayer, she is off to work and returns in time for ‘iftar’ after an eight-hour shift.
“I have a supportive family. They chip in as much as possible. That makes my life during Ramzan much easier,” she adds.

“It’s all about effective time management. If you don’t want either your career or your religious beliefs to take a backseat, all you need to do is work out a system where neither is affected,” says Afsari Karol who works as a quality control officer at a pharmaceutical firm.

For those who work in shifts, it is easier to find an equilibrium. Mohammed Rehan, the 24-year-old BPO employee, prefers to work in the late evening shift during the month of Ramzan.

“I start for work immediately after ‘iftar’. I am usually back home for the ‘sehari’,” he says.