Zafar's Ramadan experience
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims devote themselves to their faith and community, teach self-discipline, show compassion towards the poor, and focus on the values of empathy and generosity.
We recently spoke with Zafar, Senior Branch Manager, who shared with us his first-hand experience of Ramadan, and what it means to him:
"As a Muslim, I hold this month close to my heart. I, like other Muslims, take advantage of the month by focusing more on my faith and my relationship with God. It is a time for reflection, self-discipline, charity, and community. During Ramadan, my days are full of joy and excitement, it’s a time where my family and I come together to pray and recollect.
At work it’s pretty much business as usual. Not much changes for me. I maintain my prayers as I
normally would and stay mindful of how I behave around others. As the afternoon draws closer, naturally concentration levels drop and so I rearrange my complex activities to the next day where I am less fatigued and tired.
As the working day draws to a close, I aim to get home at a reasonable time which gives me an
opportunity to meditate for a while and play with my children.
I have been with the Society over 16 years and feel the support from colleagues has continually increased. Nationwide has increased their input in making colleagues aware of how to be more supporting of Muslim colleagues and line managers and there has been a policy changes in relations to Ramadan and Prayers".
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