Harmony Day at CHU celebrating diversity: Meet Fatema Gilitwala, Underwriting Manager at CHU

Last week, the CHU's state hubs got together to celebrate Harmony Day as part of our March ConneCHUn days. 

At CHU, we pride ourselves on creating a workplace where diversity is celebrated and embraced. 

We celebrated the diversity of cultures and backgrounds within our teams by sharing food and stories.  

This year, Ramadan has also commenced, which means some of our team begin their fast from sunrise to sunset.  

Meet Fatema Gilitwala 

Fatema started here at CHU in 2016 and is an integral part of the underwriting team as the Underwriting Manager QLD/NT. Originally from India, Fatema moved to Australia in 2013, she enjoys cooking and sharing meals with family and friends. Something we learned about Fatema when she started at CHU was that she is a qualified chef, we love finding out about some of these hidden talents of our team.  

This time of year, brings the challenging, but rewarding time for Fatema of Ramadan and Eid and she wanted to share her knowledge of this cultural event.   

“Ramadan is observed by people of Islamic faith around the world, based on the lunar calendar and the sighting of the crescent moon. The exact date of Ramadan can vary by a day or two depending on the country and region. In Australia, the starting date of Ramadan can also vary depending on the sighting of the moon. This year Ramadan began on 11 March to 9 April 2024, and will last for approximately 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon for Eid al-Fitr.  

It is a time of spiritual reflection, devotion, and self-discipline, and is observed by people of all ages.

During Ramadan, it is time to fast from sunrise to sunset. This means abstaining from all food and drink, from sunrise until sunset. The fast is broken each evening with a meal called Iftar, which typically includes dates, water, and other traditional dishes. 

The fast of Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink, it is about sacrifice and self-discipline. People of Islamic faith are encouraged to read the Quran during this time, attend mosque for prayers, give to charity, volunteer to help those in need and spend time with family and friends. 

Ramadan is also a time for community and togetherness. Many mosques offer daily Iftar meals for those who are fasting, and families and friends often gather to break the fast and share meals. 

The month of Ramadan ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fast and is a time for feasting, family gatherings, and the exchange of gifts. We get together to celebrate and appreciate what we have. While the fasting can be challenging, Eid is a time of great joy, great reward, and blessings.” 

Thank you, Fatema, for sharing your insights into your cultural traditions.