Egypt's gov't employees fast from work in Ramadan too

The Egyptians began celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on August 1, but festivities were quickly subdued by an intense heat-wave and delay in Government paper work that could cost losses estimated to be worth LE1 billion.

Thousands of Muslim employees either go on vacation or absent themselves from work during Ramadan in which the faithful observe dawn-to-dusk fasting for four weeks, where life slips into a lower gear during the day in all governmental offices.

"This is against Islam because the Muslims should make advantage of Ramadan to launch serious work," Hamdi Abdul Aleem, a former economics professor at the Cairo-based el-Sadat Academy for Management Sciences, said.

But the weary employees said they were just hoping for four weeks of peace and calm with their families in Ramadan after months of hard work during the year.

"The religious practice of fasting during Ramadan should not be transformed into manifestations of laxity and laziness by Government employees," said Abdul Aleem.

The once busy and lively Government offices are almost abandoned during Ramadan because the majority of employees do not show up for work regularly.

During Ramadan, which has been a winter event about 40 years ago, the fasting-work combination seems difficult to observe to work during the summer heat.

For Nora Mohamed, a Government employee, the day begins before the breakfast meal at sunset which she prepares at home for her husband and children.

She said that she dons a head-scarf and long dress, when she goes to work during Ramadan.