Latest news with #Fahima
Khaleej Times
27-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How businesses plan to adapt to Ramadan work hours without impacting productivity
As the holy month of Ramadan draws near, businesses across the UAE are gearing up for the change in working hours. Working hours have been reduced by two hours for private sector employees, along with flexible hours and remote work options for government employees. Companies are not only adjusting their schedules but are also exploring innovative strategies to ensure operations run smoothly while respecting the needs of their employees. One such business adapting to these changes is a local food truck, Atifa. The owner, Ahmed Mahdi, shared how Ramadan transforms the culinary landscape. 'Our hours shift significantly during this month. We tend to open later in the evening to cater to families breaking their fast. It's about being in tune with the community,' he explained. Ahmed also emphasises the importance of menu adjustments. 'We introduce special meals that are hearty and nutritious, designed to refuel our customers after a long day of fasting. It's not just about food; it's about creating an experience that resonates with the spirit of Ramadan.' He highlighted how his team is trained to maintain high morale despite the late hours, often sharing iftar meals together, fostering a sense of unity and purpose among the staff. To ensure his employees remain well-rested during this demanding period, Ahmed has implemented a structured schedule. 'During the day, our team has dedicated rest hours. They come in about one to two hours before iftar to prepare the food and set up the truck. This allows them to recharge and be ready for the evening rush,' he explained. He also recognises the importance of family during Ramadan. 'I've made a schedule that allows employees to shift their iftar times, so everyone gets a chance to break fast with their families. It's crucial for maintaining morale and keeping the team motivated,' he added. However, with the evening hours becoming busier than usua l, especially during suhoor, Ahmed sometimes opts not to open at iftar times. 'Suhoor is typically our busiest period, so we focus our efforts there. We even take a break during Taraweeh prayers to allow our team to participate,' he shared. HR strategies As the UAE has announced a reduction of two working hours for private sector employees during Ramadan, Fahima Mustafa, an HR manager at Miasee Advertising, discussed the critical role of HR in navigating these changes. 'We recognise that our employees' energy levels fluctuate during this month, so we've implemented flexible working hours. Employees can choose to start and end their shifts according to their needs, as long as they meet their targets,' she said. In addition to flexible hours, Fahima notes that the company has introduced the option of remote work. 'As long as the work is done, we trust our employees to manage their responsibilities from home. This flexibility allows them to balance their work and personal lives more effectively during Ramadan,' she explains. As an advertising company, Fahima understands that the pressure can be higher during this month due to deadlines and client expectations. 'However, we prioritise our employees' well-being. By putting them first, we create an environment where they can perform at their best without compromising their health or personal commitments,' she affirmed. This employee-first approach not only fosters loyalty but also enhances overall productivity, ensuring that the company thrives even during the challenges of Ramadan. Retail stores Murad Amid, a retail store manager, sheds light on the retail sector's response to the unique challenges of Ramadan. 'Foot traffic changes dramatically during this month. We see a surge in customers in the evenings, so we extend our hours accordingly,' he explained. To meet the increased demand, Murad's team has adopted a staggered shift system, allowing employees to work in shorter bursts but more frequently. This flexibility has encouraged collaboration among the staff. For example, non-Muslim employees are coming forward to take the morning shifts, which allows their Muslim colleagues to rest and prepare for iftar without the stress of work.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NJ families in a 'state of desperation' as Trump suspends refugee admissions
Fahima rushed her daughter to a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, after she suffered crippling seizures. But the day she was discharged, chaos reigned as the Taliban stormed and captured the capital city and the U.S. hastily arranged evacuation flights. She could not find her husband, who worked in security for a U.S. contractor, or her sons at home. Nearly trampled at the airport, she and her daughter boarded a U.S. flight hoping they would reunite later on. Three and a half years later, Fahima is still waiting. The woman, who lives in Paterson with her disabled daughter and son, has worked with lawyers and filed paperwork to bring her family, who fled to Iran, to the United States. 'I've been in a state of desperation at the thought of my husband and children stuck in Iran in poor conditions,' said Fahima, adding that they are destitute and that it's too dangerous in Afghanistan, where he could be targeted because he worked for Americans. She fears what will happen now that President Donald Trump has halted the refugee resettlement program in one of his first executive orders in office, she said. 'I've had sleepless nights since Jan. 20 and am tired of the constant worry for my family,' said Fahima, who asked that her last name be withheld to protect her family. Trump signed the executive order, titled Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program, on his first day in office, prompting the State Department to cancel flights even for those already cleared for admission. At 90-day intervals, the president will review reports and determine whether continuing resettlement 'is in the interests of the United States.' In the only exception to the ban, the secretary of state and the secretary of homeland security can decide jointly to admit refugees on a case-by-case basis. Advocates worry about the future of a decades-old program that has served as a lifeline for refugees displaced by war and political persecution.'It is an evolving situation, but so far we have heard about four families getting their travel canceled,' said Courtney Madsen, regional director for Church World Service, a refugee resettlement agency. The agency's Jersey City Office has settled 66 refugees since the fiscal year began on Oct. 1, Madsen said. It was expecting to receive 134 more people this year. 'As far as impact on families,' Madsen added, 'this is devastating because the suspension is indefinite, so we have no idea when these families will be able to come to New Jersey. In most of these cases they are reuniting with people who are already here, so we are already seeing family separation in action by this administration.' Freshta Taeb, co-lead for the New Jersey Coalition for Afghan Refugees, said she had gotten over 60 calls in two days from nervous families. 'People are panicking and there's a lot of misinformation that is going around,' she said. Many of the refugees expected this year are from Afghanistan, including 1,600 people whose flights were canceled by the State Department. They include children waiting to be reunited with their families and men and women at risk of retribution for cooperating with the former U.S.-backed government. 'We don't want folks to think just because flights are canceled that they will never have chance to come,' Taeb said. 'Things are being paused and reassessed. Let's remain calm and steadfast and see what happens.' Others worry about their status in the United States as recipients of humanitarian parole, a temporary admission granted for urgent humanitarian reasons. Congress failed to pass legislation that would have made Afghan parolees eligible for permanent residency, despite support from military groups and veterans. They worry their asylum cases will go unheard. On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security issued a memo saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement can strip parole status from migrants who have been in the United States for less than two years. The memo came after Trump suspended parole programs created during the Biden administration for people from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, arguing they were an abuse of the law. The memo did not specify countries of origin or whether it would apply to Afghans and Ukrainians brought in under separate parole programs. Taeb advised people to talk to an attorney. 'We are advising folks to remain calm and steadfast and make sure you fact-check everything with somebody who is knowledgeable about the executive orders,' she said. Sofia Wahdat, program manager at Global Emergency Response and Assistance, a North Jersey-based organization that aids refugees, has also heard from families who were hoping to reunite with loves ones and are 'waiting in limbo.' 'These families have fought through so much insecurity and trauma and lot of doubt on what will happen,' Wahdat said. The United States, which has long been a destination for refugees, formalized the process for admissions in 1980. Since then, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has welcomed about 3 million refugees. The president, in consultation with Congress, sets an admissions target each year. While it once held bipartisan support, the program became politicized when Trump entered his first term and deemed it a security threat. Admissions reached a low of 11,411 in 2021 with Trump in office, according to government data. Refugees: Thousands of Syrians fled to the US. Ten years later, their lives tell stories of resilience Over the next three years, admissions grew annually, reaching 100,034 last year from counties including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Syria and Venezuela. Trump's executive order states that the United States 'lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees.' The order mentions the availability of resources for Americans, safety and security, and assimilation of refugees. Those who work with refugees say it's misguided. They point out that refugees are the most thoroughly vetted group to enter the United States. They apply from overseas, and the UN screens and refers them to the resettlement program. U.S. agencies then carry out multiple background checks, interviews and medical exams before they can be admitted in a process that can take years. They also fill critical labor shortages and support local businesses, they said. One federal study found that over a 15-year period, refugees contributed $123 billion more than they have cost in governmental expenditures. The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, CEO of Interfaith-Rise, a nonprofit aiding refugees and asylees, has seen the impact firsthand. The Highland Park-based agency has placed clients in jobs with companies including Walmart, Europastry, Trenton Corrugated Products and Powerspec, which makes electronic parts. Business owners and managers tell him that the addition of workers has helped them to grow and flourish, Kaper-Dale said. Refugees have also gone on to open their own businesses including Paterson's Iraqi-owned Al Mazaq Restaurant and Syrian-owned Nour Al-Sham and Reem Al Sham. The refugee program also underscores longstanding American values of generosity and compassion and a commitment to human rights, say advocates. 'New Jersey has welcomed those seeking safety and a better life for centuries,' Madsen said, 'and this new refugee ban flies in the face of who we are and what we value.' This article originally appeared on Refugee resettlement frozen: NJ families worry about Trump order
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NJ families in a 'state of desperation' as Trump suspends refugee admissions
Fahima rushed her daughter to a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, after she suffered crippling seizures. But the day she was discharged, chaos reigned as the Taliban stormed and captured the capital city and the U.S. hastily arranged evacuation flights. She could not find her husband, who worked in security for a U.S. contractor, or her sons at home. Nearly trampled at the airport, she and her daughter boarded a U.S. flight hoping they would reunite later on. Three and a half years later, Fahima is still waiting. The woman, who lives in Paterson with her disabled daughter and son, has worked with lawyers and filed paperwork to bring her family, who fled to Iran, to the United States. 'I've been in a state of desperation at the thought of my husband and children stuck in Iran in poor conditions,' said Fahima, adding that they are destitute and that it's too dangerous in Afghanistan, where he could be targeted because he worked for Americans. She fears what will happen now that President Donald Trump has halted the refugee resettlement program in one of his first executive orders in office, she said. 'I've had sleepless nights since Jan. 20 and am tired of the constant worry for my family,' said Fahima, who asked that her last name be withheld to protect her family. Trump signed the executive order, titled Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program, on his first day in office, prompting the State Department to cancel flights even for those already cleared for admission. At 90-day intervals, the president will review reports and determine whether continuing resettlement 'is in the interests of the United States.' In the only exception to the ban, the secretary of state and the secretary of homeland security can decide jointly to admit refugees on a case-by-case basis. Advocates worry about the future of a decades-old program that has served as a lifeline for refugees displaced by war and political persecution.'It is an evolving situation, but so far we have heard about four families getting their travel canceled,' said Courtney Madsen, regional director for Church World Service, a refugee resettlement agency. The agency's Jersey City Office has settled 66 refugees since the fiscal year began on Oct. 1, Madsen said. It was expecting to receive 134 more people this year. 'As far as impact on families,' Madsen added, 'this is devastating because the suspension is indefinite, so we have no idea when these families will be able to come to New Jersey. In most of these cases they are reuniting with people who are already here, so we are already seeing family separation in action by this administration.' Freshta Taeb, co-lead for the New Jersey Coalition for Afghan Refugees, said she had gotten over 60 calls in two days from nervous families. 'People are panicking and there's a lot of misinformation that is going around,' she said. Many of the refugees expected this year are from Afghanistan, including 1,600 people whose flights were canceled by the State Department. They include children waiting to be reunited with their families and men and women at risk of retribution for cooperating with the former U.S.-backed government. 'We don't want folks to think just because flights are canceled that they will never have chance to come,' Taeb said. 'Things are being paused and reassessed. Let's remain calm and steadfast and see what happens.' Others worry about their status in the United States as recipients of humanitarian parole, a temporary admission granted for urgent humanitarian reasons. Congress failed to pass legislation that would have made Afghan parolees eligible for permanent residency, despite support from military groups and veterans. They worry their asylum cases will go unheard. On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security issued a memo saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement can strip parole status from migrants who have been in the United States for less than two years. The memo came after Trump suspended parole programs created during the Biden administration for people from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, arguing they were an abuse of the law. The memo did not specify countries of origin or whether it would apply to Afghans and Ukrainians brought in under separate parole programs. Taeb advised people to talk to an attorney. 'We are advising folks to remain calm and steadfast and make sure you fact-check everything with somebody who is knowledgeable about the executive orders,' she said. Sofia Wahdat, program manager at Global Emergency Response and Assistance, a North Jersey-based organization that aids refugees, has also heard from families who were hoping to reunite with loves ones and are 'waiting in limbo.' 'These families have fought through so much insecurity and trauma and lot of doubt on what will happen,' Wahdat said. The United States, which has long been a destination for refugees, formalized the process for admissions in 1980. Since then, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has welcomed about 3 million refugees. The president, in consultation with Congress, sets an admissions target each year. While it once held bipartisan support, the program became politicized when Trump entered his first term and deemed it a security threat. Admissions reached a low of 11,411 in 2021 with Trump in office, according to government data. Refugees: Thousands of Syrians fled to the US. Ten years later, their lives tell stories of resilience Over the next three years, admissions grew annually, reaching 100,034 last year from counties including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Syria and Venezuela. Trump's executive order states that the United States 'lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees.' The order mentions the availability of resources for Americans, safety and security, and assimilation of refugees. Those who work with refugees say it's misguided. They point out that refugees are the most thoroughly vetted group to enter the United States. They apply from overseas, and the UN screens and refers them to the resettlement program. U.S. agencies then carry out multiple background checks, interviews and medical exams before they can be admitted in a process that can take years. They also fill critical labor shortages and support local businesses, they said. One federal study found that over a 15-year period, refugees contributed $123 billion more than they have cost in governmental expenditures. The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, CEO of Interfaith-Rise, a nonprofit aiding refugees and asylees, has seen the impact firsthand. The Highland Park-based agency has placed clients in jobs with companies including Walmart, Europastry, Trenton Corrugated Products and Powerspec, which makes electronic parts. Business owners and managers tell him that the addition of workers has helped them to grow and flourish, Kaper-Dale said. Refugees have also gone on to open their own businesses including Paterson's Iraqi-owned Al Mazaq Restaurant and Syrian-owned Nour Al-Sham and Reem Al Sham. The refugee program also underscores longstanding American values of generosity and compassion and a commitment to human rights, say advocates. 'New Jersey has welcomed those seeking safety and a better life for centuries,' Madsen said, 'and this new refugee ban flies in the face of who we are and what we value.' This article originally appeared on Refugee resettlement frozen: NJ families worry about Trump order
