MUSCAT: While the majority of people enjoy the Eid holidays among their loved ones, others spend the Eid holidays at the workplace away from family gatherings so that essential services and production continue uninterrupted. Those include journalists and media professionals, police officers, doctors, technicians among others.
Media professionals are one segment of workers who maintain a constant commitment to work even during Eid holidays.
Abdullah al Abri, from the TV sector at the Ministry of Information, said that the importance of the media lies in keeping the public informed and updated of the latest developments and ongoing events. He said: “During Eid Al Fitr, the News Centre at the Ministry of Information keeps pace with local, regional and international events covering a wide range of news and stories including the Sultanate of Oman’s celebration of Eid Al Fitr, Eid prayers, visits, events, customs and traditions throughout the Eid holiday.”
From the heart of the desert, where oil and gas platforms operate nonstop, Hisham bin Rashid, an oilfield worker, experiences a different Eid Al Fitr experience, away from his family. Hisham says, "Eid here differs from anywhere else. We try our best to maintain the Eid home-like atmosphere, praying with colleagues and exchanging greetings. However, the longing for our families doesn’t go away. Anyway, we are proud of playing an important role by contributing to the continuity of production thus serving the nation.”
Issa bin Nasser al Saadi, a private company employee, gave his remarks on the importance of employees’ presence at the workplace during the Eid holiday saying: “We are required to be present at the office during the Eid Al Fitr holiday. It is an indispensable duty to monitor the status of the organisation’s technical systems and programmes as transactions increase during the holiday. Therefore, part of the organisation’s staff should be present to supervise and monitor work systems.” Al Saadi added, “Celebrating the Eid at work doesn't just mean offering sweets and food, it also includes creating a friendly, brotherly atmosphere among colleagues by telling stories and memories about Eid.”
He emphasised that the feeling of being away from family and friends is a hard thing but it is alleviated by constantly communicating with family and exchanging greetings through social media or by phone call, as Eid is associated with family and gatherings.
Mohammed bin Ali al Maliki, an employee, believes that employees can celebrate Eid with colleagues by organising group meals at the workplace where everyone shares traditional foods that are usually served during Eid. Employees can also exchange gifts and commemorative photos to create a special atmosphere and make everyone feel the Eid spirit even at work.
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