Frontline doctor devotes most of his free time to worship God
Dr. Faisal Hamza Dalvi is thankful to Allah that this year he can attend congregational and Taraweeh prayers and even have Iftar with his family sometimes.
In 2020, the frontline doctor and specialist in internal medicine at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi was busy treating Covid-19 patients since March and could hardly get time to worship or have Iftar with the family during Ramadan.
“Last year’s Ramadan was so tough. I would go out early morning every day and return after 8pm. Phone calls from the hospital kept coming in even after I returned from duty,” said Dr Dalvi.
“Since I share the house with my aged parents, we kept in isolation for many months because I was a frontline doctor and I didn’t want to put them at risk of contracting the virus. And it was worse during Ramadan where we couldn’t have Iftar meals on the same table or pray Taraweeh together.”
This year, he says the situation has improved, and he can get time to attend congregational and Taraweeh prayers and even have Iftar with his family when he is not on duty.
Dr Dalvi says this Ramadan he is making many supplications and glorifying Allah as the Holy Month sets him up for the following year. During the spiritual month of fasting he prays to Allah whatever he would like to accomplish in the next twelve months. “To me Ramadan is a spiritual month and I devote most of my free time to worshiping and praying to almighty Allah,” he said.
“During the holy month, we work in different shifts — morning, afternoon and evening. But I always ensure that I observe the Ramadan rituals in accordance with my work schedule.”
The 38-year-old Indian expat says because of the busy schedule, during Iftar he finds himself in the middle of attending to patients and has to delay breaking his fast. “When I am on the afternoon shift, I always break my fast at work. Sometimes I have to just grab a date and a glass of water and go back to attend to patients, only to have my Iftar later.” he said.
Dr Dalvi says he keeps his iftar meals simple, ensuring a mix of carbohydrates and proteins. Dates, soup, fresh juice or laban, fish and chicken are some of the items on his Iftar meal menu with his family.
When I am on the afternoon shift, I always break my fast at work. Sometimes I have to just a grab a date and a glass of water and go back to attend to the patient, only to have my Iftar later.”
Dr Faisal Hamza Dalvi
Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi