What Eid means to me: Azeema Ahmed on faith, family and community

For Azeema Ahmed, Senior Property Solicitor at Anchor, Eid is a time of spiritual gratitude and a moment to feel closer to her faith, reflect on completing a month of fasting, and cherish time with family and friends.

"We are so fortunate," she says, thinking of the feast shared with loved ones and the exchanges of gifts, whilst also remaining mindful of those less fortunate around the world.

Azeema describes a day filled with tradition. It begins with prayers, the home simply decorated the evening before, the family dressed in their best clothes. Then comes a large family breakfast after the congregational prayer in the mosque - a sprawling brunch that spills into visits to relatives' homes throughout the day, each with their own spread of delicious food. Elders give money to the women and children, presents are exchanged, and the whole day is anchored in togetherness. This year, Azeema's six-year-old daughter has been helping set the table before iftar each evening, saying prayers at the table before opening the fast.

At Anchor, Azeema has found that same spirit of community reflected in her working life since joining in 2015. The organisation encourages awareness and consideration for fasting colleagues, and a designated prayer room means those observing the five daily prayers always have somewhere to go with one another. 

"For me, Eid is about spiritual gratitude. It’s about completing the fast, feeling closer to my creator, and reflecting on how fortunate we are, whilst also remembering those in other parts of the world who may not have the same opportunities. It’s a very meaningful time that I celebrate with my family and friends.

"At Anchor, there’s a real awareness and respect for colleagues who are observing Ramadan. Managers and colleagues are mindful of the challenges of fasting, especially when you’re running on very little sleep, and the flexibility to adjust working hours can make a huge difference. We also have a designated prayer room, which means those of us observing the five daily prayers have a place to go during the working day.

"I’m also part of the EmbRACE network, which creates a positive space for people to learn more and have open conversations. It’s given me the chance to speak about my faith and answer questions from colleagues. After Eid, everyone brings in homemade biscuits, cakes and savouries to share with one another. It’s a lovely way for people to come together, try the food, and ask questions about what Eid is and why we celebrate it.

"That culture of curiosity and warmth is what makes Anchor such a unique and special place to work. It's about understanding everybody's different backgrounds, cultures, and faiths and it really does bring everybody together."

Azeema Ahmed is a Senior Property Solicitor at Anchor

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