Iftar: Breaking the Fast

This month, some of our friends and fellow co-workers are observing Ramadan. Muslims all across the globe take part in this month of fasting by not eating or drinking anything from dawn until sunset.

Fasting is meant to teach the person patience, sacrifice and humility. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of God, and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance into the future, ask for help in refraining from everyday evils and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

During this month of observance, our office hours have shifted slightly, but the lives of our friends and co-workers have shifted a bit more. They wake with their families early in the morning and take part in Suhoor, which is their morning meal before sun up. In the evenings, the fast is broken by Iftar. This meal is often done as a community, and traditionally a date is the first thing to be consumed.

The photos above are from an Iftar Feast with VTEAM members in Lahore.

The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid-ul-Fitr, and since it's based on the first site of the new moon, the dates change each year (more on that a little later). This year the Eid holiday will fall on October 1 - October 3, 2008.


Tomara


My reading mentioned that the fast is broken with dates and water or sometimes Rooh Afza (which appears to be some sort of fruit drink), but nowhere did it mention Pepsi :-). I believe, that from the markings on the bottle (the cresent moon), it is probably a popular beverage during this time as well.

Learning Urdu

While my progress may be slow, I am still attempting to learn a few Urdu words per week and will continue to share some of my first words and phrases.

yes: jee
yes: haan (showing willingness)

good/fine/okay: umdah (ok is also common)

sure: zaroor

thank you: shukria

you are welcome: khush aa'm deed

--Shannon

The Bomb at Marriott and the vteams office we never opened

A few years ago, I almost opened a vteams development center in Islamabad. Very close to where the Marriott is located. The reason was coffee.

Marriott is the only hotel in Islamabad which serves half decent espresso. Had I opened the development center, I could walk up to the hotel, have my coffee and walk back. Kill two birds with one stone. Get a good jolt and a good walk.

By the way, Islamabad is a nice city to walk in. Not that I am going to walk about on constitution avenue any time soon. Thanks to our friendly neighbors from Afganistan.

Although the hotel is completely destroyed, I admire the owner's resolve to rebuild it. When he does, I will probably open a center in Islamabad too. This time it will not be about coffee alone.

Lunch in Lahore

I received some new photos the end of last week from the Lahore office, and couldn't wait to post them on our blog. Take a look.

Elusive programmers in their natural state

The Subway Team

Tomara

Team Lead, Developer, and Keeper of Photos: Haseeb Ahmed

I have had the opportunity to spend some time online with Haseeb Ahmed over the last few weeks. He has been very instrumental in our blogging efforts, since apparently he is "keeper of photos" at the Lahore office. Who doesn't love a picture blog?

Usman and Haseeb

Since I am in Phoenix, Arizona, and Haseeb in Lahore, Pakistan, I thought I would send some questions via email, so we could find out a little more about him.

He was quick to reply.

Haseeb (pictured on the right, above) was born in DOHA (QATAR), and at the age of seven he moved to Pakistan (home of his ancestors). They were anxious for his arrival since he was the first boy in the family.

He started programming during his graduating year (about 8 years ago), and he excelled at C++. Haseeb's first job outside of school was VC++. He worked on this platform for about two and a half years. Currently, his specialty is UML and OOP.

When asked about his strong points, Haseeb responded, "I am a good team lead, team player, and I know how to work with my guys." He also mentioned that his weak point would have to be, "I am straight forward."

When it comes to work, Haseeb writes that the best part of his job is communicating with the client as well as project planning. He is currently the team lead for Track 2 of the Subway team. "Subway is the best VTEAM here." boasts Haseeb, "Their work process is well defined. The environment is different from the other teams. We have fun."

Outside of work, Haseeb enjoys hanging around with his friends and coworkers, going shopping, and travel.

In July, Haseeb traveled with other members of the Subway team to northern areas of Pakistan (you may remember some of the pictures from an earlier blog). "I will never forget our trip to the Northern Areas," noted Haseeb, "thanks to Mark who sent us for that extremely thrilling day, when we were headed to Lalazar. Oh, the track... I could hardly open my eyes in the four wheeler!"



Tomara


Thanks, Haseeb, for taking the time to answer my questions and putting up with my obnoxious instant messaging habits.