The holy month of Ramadhan could be one of the busiest months of the year as individuals want to dedicate more time for prayers, reflect and at the same time, take time for others. All of this while continuing to lead a normal working life.
While most people have their timings of work changed there are certain members of the community for whom the choice of timing is theirs.
Sami al Harthy hails from Suwaiq but works in Muscat. He had been working in the private sector but was one of the individuals whose contract ended and was never renewed during the Covid-19 impact on companies.
“A government job provides security in life. When I could not find a job, I decided to drive a taxi.”
He tried for opportunities but since a job opening was not on the horizon he opted for driving a taxi. And that is what he has been doing for more than a year. He is currently tied with a taxi operating company even though he owns his own Orange and White taxi.
“Taxi driving is very rewarding because we meet all kinds of people -- Omanis as well as people of different nationalities. The conversations are enriching and one can learn so much,” said Sami.
There is heavy traffic and soon there is a block. And this is when he practices patience.
Ramadhan is indeed special but he works as usual by starting his work in the morning.
“My family lives in Muscat with me so we break the fast together,” he said.
Reading the Quran is important and so during the holy month, he likes to read the Quran after midday Namaz.
He explained an interesting aspect of driving a taxi. “After dropping off the passenger at the destination I look for the nearest mosque and perform my prayers. This has taken me to many mosques, unlike others who would stick to the mosques in the neighbourhood."
“In the afternoon, if I feel tired I take some rest. Ramadhan in Suwaiq would mean breaking fast with my parents and spending time with my friends in the evenings and working out in the gym. In Muscat I take one hour walk daily,” he noted.
The mosque he took the Observer journalist is Sayyida Fatima bint Ali al Said mosque. Assigned by Late Sultan Qaboos, the place of worship was inaugurated on May 17, 2018, by His Highness Sayyid Shabib bin Taimur Al Said.
The mosque is named after the grandmother of the Late Sultan Qaboos and the mother of Sultan Said bin Taimur.
The mosque is constructed in the Mameluke architectural style’.
Yet the mosque blends harmoniously with the architectural style of Omani mosques. The structure meets all the modern-day building requirements.
The colour of the mosque gives it a distinct identity and another important feature is its location.
The mosque, located in Al Hail North in the Wilayat of Seeb, looks at the Sea of Oman with just the seafront road between the mosque and the beach.
To reach the mosque all you have to do is locate latitude 23.646107 north of the equator and longitude 58.235423 east of Greenwich or take 1683 Way, Seeb.
“Today is a weekday afternoon and as you can see there are people gathered in their official attire. This means there must be an event or presentation of a lecture,” he explained.
The area is 8,000 square meters, and it includes a main prayer hall that accommodates 2,200 worshipers and another hall for women that can accommodate 330 worshippers.
In addition, the mosque has classrooms, a library, a general council, a multi-purpose hall, green areas, parking lots, and service buildings.
After proudly describing the mosque Sami said, “Ramadhan is good and fasting is healthy. The good thing about driving a taxi is, you are never alone."
@lakshmioman
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