Friday 4 July 2014
The biological clock for most of Jeddah's population has adjusted to the new changes in Ramadan timings with the passing of the first few days of the holy month. For many government and private sector employees, laziness and fatigue is an inevitable byproduct of the start of Ramadan, due to changes in working hours and in their biological clocks associated with irregular sleeping and waking patterns. "The hardest thing for me is working during Ramadan, as I usually experience more stress and fatigue than on normal working days," said Faisal Eid, an employee at a private company in Jeddah. "Most of my colleagues at work are also usually very lazy and sleepy for about the first three days of Ramadan," he added.
Faisal says he prefers that the month of Ramadan be marked for vacation for all private sector workers. Faisal Al-Owaimari disagrees. He argues that "working during Ramadan helps to organize one's daily schedule and employees can take advantage of being able to perform congregational prayers." Others, such as a Fahad Saad, also prefer time off from work during Ramadan to allow more time for worshipping and reading the Qur'an, arguing that the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) would abandon their houses and jobs during Ramadan and remain in the mosques.
Om Reem, also a private sector employee, said that women in Ramadan face particular challenges when it comes to managing their households and preparing meals for iftar and suhoor. She said the responsibilities imposed by customs and traditions specific to this month are more demanding on women. "For example, preparing suhoor on the first night of Ramadan is in itself a challenge for many Saudi women, who have not had to wake up at dawn and prepare a meal for the past 11 months," she said. Ramadan this year has fallen in the summer to coincide with the summer holidays of schools and colleges. However, most private sector organizations continue the normal schedule despite the demands of the holy month.
© Arab News 2014
