Controlling Anxiety
Uzma, a clinical pharmacist who works in direct contact with patients, doctors and nurses, said her experience has been similar as she’s worked to adjust and adapt.
“Initially it was very frightening to go into work. Everyone had high anxiety levels, we weren’t sure there was enough PPE (personal protective equipment), so I had to purchase my own N95 mask because it wasn’t provided at work,” she said.
Now, working with the ongoing threat has become her new normal, and although the situation is not what anyone wants it to be, Uzma said it’s become routine.
“It’s a very different environment at work than it was in March,” she said. “For survival people have to stay positive, so now every day seems like a regular workday.”
Gul Khan 
From left to right: Yusuf, Zaara, Amjad, Zayd and Gul Khan
Better Ramadan
Despite having to cope with initial stress and anxiety in the workplace, both women said they have been happily surprised at how easily and, ultimately, thankfully they’ve slipped into a Ramadan spent largely in quarantine, without the usual rituals of congregational prayers in the mosque and great gatherings with friends to break the fast.
Indeed, both Gul and Uzma said the holy month has been much quieter, slower and less chaotic than in years past, offering them a genuine change at renewing their spirit and focusing on their faith.
“Before Ramadan we were really worried how it would go,” Uzma said. “We knew we wouldn’t have that community spiritual uplift we all get at the mosques. It’s also a very festive time for our children. So at first the pressure on me (to make it special) was overwhelming, but I do believe Allah only gives you a burden which you can handle.”
Now, Uzma, her husband and two daughters, have enjoyed iftar meals together, family congregational prayers throughout the day, food drop offs from friends, and watching Islamic webinars together.
“I do miss my imam and hugging my friends, but with prayer and by asking Allah to relieve my stress, to be honest, I feel like this has been the most relaxed Ramadan ever,” she said.
“There’s been no running around, no juggling of schedules, no parties. It’s really been a time for reflection and it’s been beautiful. I have so much time with my family that I wouldn’t have otherwise had.”
Family Ramadan
Gul expressed a similar sentiment. As an introvert, she said she’s enjoyed seeing her family more and sharing intimate iftars with her parents each night.
She’s also relished daily walks outdoors and enjoyed relinquishing the worry about what she has to prepare for the usual iftar gatherings that punctuate the fasting month.
“In general, this Ramadan has been one of the best for me in terms of being able to focus more towards my deen and my spiritual connection to Allah because there are less interruptions,,” she said.
“I feel we are getting back to what the true essence of Ramadan is supposed to be about, and for that I feel so at peace.”
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