Dear Reader,

Religion has the potential to nourish us, just as nutritious food and water does. How does it do so? We know that it can help us lead happier, more self-fulfilling lives - and more than this. It underpins spiritual values and ethics, and provides the backbone for faith, courage, even hope itself. In this way, it can serve as the compass for our lives.

These thoughts have arisen recently because in our last monthly meet-up, Odettians shared their thoughts about the specialness of their Eid holiday (which spanned April through June), and these conversations taught us a lot about our universal values.

There are two types of Eid, celebrated by Muslims worldwide: Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. Eid-ul-Fitr, also known as Festival of Breaking the Fast, is the celebration that follows Ramadan. Ramadan is a sacred month for Muslims, observed with fasting from sunrise to sunset, self-reflection, and charity. Through abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours, Muslims experience hunger and learn empathy for the less fortunate. It is a time to deepen spiritual connection and express gratitude for blessings received. On the day of Eid al-Fitr, Muslims express thankfulness for the strength to complete the fast and engage in acts of charity. Giving money or food to the needy ensures that everyone can partake in the festivities and enjoy a special meal. The focus is on fostering compassion and sharing blessings with others.

Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command. However, before the sacrifice took place, God provided a ram as a substitute. As a symbolic act, Muslims who can afford to do so, sacrifice an animal and distribute its meat to the less fortunate. This act of sacrifice symbolizes letting go of ego and selfish desires, emphasizing the importance of selflessness and sharing with the community.

Both Eids are occasions for introspection, strengthening values, and understanding life's challenges as opportunities for personal growth and spiritual development. Through the act of sharing the specialness of their Eid holiday, Odettians have exhibited the very values that Eid represents.

Much love to the Odettians,

Nabeeha Khattak (special guest Odettian writer) & Katharine

Use Case

We were hired by a Payment Software Company to handle Technical Onboarding and Customer Assistance, specifically focusing on the seamless integration of their client payment portal. We built upa team of 20 Odettians to provide personalized guidance to clients during the onboarding process, ensuring a smooth transition onto the payment platform. With our exceptional customer assistance, we were able to address client queries promptly and effectively, making the entire experience hassle-free for them. The success of this use case has us thrilled, and we are eager to further scale this initiative, assisting even more clients in optimizing their customer solutions through streamlined technical onboarding.

Founder Lesson Learned: The Power of 15 Minutes

In seventh grade, a teacher casually remarked that math just wasn't my thing, and I took that to heart. My mom noticed my struggle and arranged for me to switch schools, a decision I'm still grateful for. Fast forward to the 11th grade, my new math teacher, Mr. Giles shattered that earlier notion in a short conversation. He saw something in me that I hadn't - a knack for numbers, and he suggested that I should think about majoring in mathematics in college. His faith in me became a catalyst. Inspired by his words, I ended up minoring in mathematics in college, a direction I would never have taken without his encouragement. That short, 15-minute conversation with Mr. Giles was one of those turning points in my life. Now, I try to carry forward that lesson - the profound impact of spending just 15 minutes to genuinely uplift someone else's belief in their abilities.

Odettian Quote

There are small moments of beauty when the why of what you do emerges. Consider the following quote, from one of our lead developers who is the sole earner for her family, care giver for her four daughters, including one with special needs. She is an absolute hero and we at Odetta could not be successful without her: