Fasting during Ramadan means practising self-restraint while trying to be a kinder and more patient person.
But that can be a tall order when you are working and parenting in a country with little understanding of the holy month.
For parents in the US, things can be especially challenging. The "always open for business" work ethic that dominates professional life here can make things especially difficult during Ramadan.
Many mums and dads already struggle to keep up with the stresses of America's gruelling work ethic, where family time is often interrupted by the ping of a boss's email and labour laws in many states mean workers have no right to a holiday.
Add fasting to the mix and things can get intense.
Mubeen Khumawala, a vice president at an educational non-profit group from Texas — and a father of two — says he tries to set boundaries in his work so colleagues understand he needs to "slow it down a little".
At home, Mr Khumawala tries to include his kids as much as possible in any Ramadan activity, including reading and sharing food with family and friends, and attending the masjid for iftar so they can get a sense of the larger Muslim community and make friends.
"Raising children in the best manner possible is also an act of worship," he says.
“Beyond that, focus on the essentials and don’t over exert yourself in a manner that burns you out and also prevents you from enjoying your kids."
Ammar Khan, a YouTube programme manager from California with two children, says his company is open-minded and inclusive.
While it helps him to balance fasting, working and parenting, being the only Muslim on his team means juggling cultural priorities. During Ramadan, he has to head home early, about 4pm.
“I do log back on after taraweeh and reply to messages, but I don’t prefer meetings after that time,” Mr Khan tells The National.
“I am very up front about Ramadan at work," he says, noting that not everyone understands the spiritual and physical rigours of the holy month.
"I have calendar blocks telling people when Ramadan starts and ends, invite them to company iftars, provide links to where they can learn more."
Despite the challenges involved in working, fasting and parenting, many Muslims find the spiritual benefits, such as increased mindfulness and self-discipline, outweigh any negatives.
Faizan Ahmed, head of a Californian startiup, rearranged his schedule so that he can set up iftar and suhoor meals every day for his two children and family.
“I try my best to prioritise worship over my work," Mr Ahmed says.
"That does not mean I totally cut off, but it mostly means I don’t spend as much time as I would otherwise at work."
Muslim parents in America face the same challenges as other parents when it comes to balancing work and family responsibilities.
But they may face more challenges in the workplace, particularly during Ramadan, where colleagues might not understand how hard it can be to maintain focus and energy while fasting.
Shahbaaz Hasan, a technical support engineer at Datassential from Illinois, has twin babies. He has a different struggle as he works remotely while helping his wife.
His day includes regular feedings, naps, and "many, many diaper changes", he says.
“It’s tough, especially while managing babies, which means no more naps during lunch," Mr Hasan says.
"But it’s a great opportunity to reset from our regular day to day and start a new and better routine."
Parental actions speak louder than words, Mr Khan says. So during Ramadan, he makes an effort to read the Quran and pray in front of his children.
But he misses out at bedtime.
"I cannot put them to bed due to the taraweeh schedule, but I do help them memorise Quran, duas, how to be extra gentle and caring,” Mr Khan says.
For Mr Ahmed, one of Islam's most important value systems is the focus on intentions.
“Even though one may not be able to put in many hours in worship due to other obligations they may have, yet if they had the intention to do so they get rewarded accordingly,” he says.
With this concept in mind, Mr Ahmed believes he is engaged in worship while taking care of his fatherly duties, as long as his intentions are sincere.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
Company Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
On sale: via special order
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
