Fasting in Ramzan: How techies manage it at work

Night shifts, early morning calls and unpredictable hours of work don't get in the way of techies who are fasting during Ramzan. While some ask their colleagues to adjust so that they can work shifts that don't interfere with their fasting and prayers, for others it's work that comes first.

Sufia Baig, an employee of IBM, said: "Night shifts during Ramzan are a little tough but manageable. I usually go home by 2.30am, freshen up a little and eat enough so that I can start my fast from 4.30am. After praying for a while I sleep through the day as I have to get back to office in the evening."

"I carry dates and fruits from home as I have to break my fast in office at 6.45pm.I carry dinner from home during Ramzan as I cannot eat food from the canteen. Canteen food might affect my health after a prolonged fast," she added.


Sabia Nazir Sheikh, an employee of Accenture in the city, on the other hand goes hunting for onion samosas in her office cafeteria during Ramzan. "I don't like to carry dabbas from home. My colleagues and I go to the cafeteria to find something to eat after I break my fast," said Sabia, who usually prefers the morning shift during Ramzan. "The morning shift is easier on the days that I am fasting," she added.

Saleem Mohammad, a manager in Accenture, is more concerned about his job than fasting. "I am a flexible person and I don't really impose the Ramzan fast on myself. Whenever I can manage to fast, I do it. But I never compromise on my office responsibilities," said the young techie for whom his job comes first.