Millions of Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid Al Fitr. After 30 days of fasting, we commemorate the end of Ramadan with special prayers and by visiting loved ones, exchanging gifts and donating to charity over the course of three days.
But beyond the festivities, there are vital lessons that Eid can teach entrepreneurs about managing their businesses.
When I became an entrepreneur, I didn’t realise how important it is for us to celebrate our milestones, no matter how small or insignificant they might seem.
I was so focused on my goals that I didn’t even appreciate the progress I made. I didn’t celebrate the small wins or the big ones. I thought that I wasn’t yet where I envisioned myself to be. I wanted to celebrate my ultimate goal no matter how far-fetched it was. But by not stopping to celebrate my progress, I didn’t feel I was getting closer to my ultimate goal.
Celebrating our milestones is not only important to us as business founders, but also to our team members. Celebrations are a reality check and motivational booster to us to work harder.
Celebrations remind us of how far we have come. Eid teaches us the importance of celebrating with those around us, so that they, too, feel motivated. It gives us something to look forward to every year and teaches us that our hard work should be rewarded and celebrated.
It is also equally important to sit back, relax and enjoy a break. Early in my entrepreneurship journey, I didn’t know how to enjoy a break. I worked on my holidays and I always came up with something to do.
I know that fellow entrepreneurs may feel guilty about taking a break when they should be investing these hours in their business. But think of it as an investment in your creativity.
When you rest, you give your brain and yourself a chance to recharge your creative and cognitive abilities. If I there's one thing I learnt about overworking myself, it’s that I’m not serving my company when I’m overworked. No good thing can come from an exhausted mind.
Eid also emphasises the importance of connections and networking. It is customary for us to visit family members and call our loved ones who live far away. We exchange gifts, platters of food and ensure we visit the elderly and those we don’t get to see much often.
An important lesson I learnt from my mother when it comes to communication in business is to always check in on our connections; to keep them well informed about progress and to share our success and concerns with them. The wider the network, the easier it gets to navigate challenges and make the most of opportunities.
Last but not least, perhaps the most important lesson entrepreneurs can learn from Eid is to not forget to give back and to celebrate our success with our community. Muslims are encouraged to donate to charity and share Eid gifts and clothing with those less fortunate. As you celebrate your success, make sure to give back.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati writer and communications consultant based in Abu Dhabi
The Orwell Prize for Political Writing
Twelve books were longlisted for The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The non-fiction works cover various themes from education, gender bias, and the environment to surveillance and political power. Some of the books that made it to the non-fiction longlist include:
- Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
- Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy
- Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
- Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims by Hussein Kesvani
- Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS by Azadeh Moaveni
The five pillars of Islam
Results
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Emblem Storm, Oisin Murphy (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Wildman Jack, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Matterhorn, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.30pm: Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Loxley, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
'Of Love & War'
Lynsey Addario, Penguin Press
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
The%20specs%20
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
The Saudi Cup race card
1 The Jockey Club Local Handicap (TB) 1,800m (Dirt) $500,000
2 The Riyadh Dirt Sprint (TB) 1,200m (D) $1.500,000
3 The 1351 Turf Sprint 1,351m (Turf) $1,000,000
4 The Saudi Derby (TB) 1600m (D) $800,000
5 The Neom Turf Cup (TB) 2,100m (T) $1,000,000
6 The Obaiya Arabian Classic (PB) 2,000m (D) $1,900,000
7 The Red Sea Turf Handicap (TB) 3,000m (T) $2,500,000
8 The Saudi Cup (TB) 1,800m (D) $20,000,000
The biog:
From: Wimbledon, London, UK
Education: Medical doctor
Hobbies: Travelling, meeting new people and cultures
Favourite animals: All of them
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla
Verdict: Three stars
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
Anna and the Apocalypse
Director: John McPhail
Starring: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Mark Benton
Three stars
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
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Tamkeen's offering
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