Numbers, beliefs and belonging

Ibrahim submitted his master's thesis in 2016, but the job market was brutal. The oil crisis was raging, and applications were pouring in – but no answers were forthcoming. In the meantime, Ibrahim worked as a financial consultant.
– I was very motivated and had everything in order academically, but months passed and I wasn't even called for interviews. I don't think it was about qualifications, he says.
He points to research that shows that names can play a big role in recruitment processes.
– There are several studies, including Norwegian ones, that conclude that people with foreign-sounding names have a significantly lower chance of being called for interviews – even with equal competence. For Muslim men, it is the most difficult, he says.
Finally, Ibrahim sent an open application to Multiconsult. He was accepted for a six-month work placement, and the rest is history.
– I got to show what I can do. And I stayed, he says.

Building a bridge

In practice, Ibrahim worked in the Energy Analysis section, before starting as a portfolio controller, first in energy, and then in real estate.
– Then I came into contact with Eiendomsrådgivning and was asked if I was good with numbers and interested in real estate. The answer was yes, and that's how I ended up there in 2020, he says.
From June 2023 and for one year, Ibrahim was also acting department manager for a total of 18 employees.
– What sets us apart from most other departments in Multiconsult is that we have small assignments – there is something new almost weekly. This means that we have a very varied and exciting everyday life with a lot of number crunching, analysis and building economic reports, he says.

Ibrahim is also product manager for multiMap and multiSecure.
– These are tools developed by Multiconsult that we sell to customers. They can be used in everything from FDVU consulting to portfolio analyses, taxonomy, sustainable procurement and so on, he explains.

Ibrahim thrives in an environment characterized by interdisciplinary work.
– We have everything from economists and chefs to architects and real estate agents. It provides very good discussions and insights. Having different backgrounds is a strength. The social aspect is strong, and we regularly have dinners together or go to concerts together. For the past three years, I have invited the department to my home for Iftar – which is the meal that Muslims eat at sunset during Ramadan. It has been incredibly nice, he says.
Ibrahim believes that sharing such traditions is important – not only for himself, but also to build bridges with colleagues.
– I think many people get a more nuanced picture when you get to know each other as people, and not just headlines, he says.

Signal of inclusion

Ibrahim is committed to being visible and accessible – not only as a professional, but as a fellow human being.
– I hope it makes it easier for others to be open too, he says.
For Ibrahim, workplace accommodation is not about special treatment – ​​but about small, practical considerations.
– I pray five times a day. Most of the prayers fall outside working hours, but one or two may fall while I am at work. Then I take a short break and pray in silence.
Multiconsult does not have its own quiet room, but Ibrahim uses the training room.
– It works, but I have given notice that an available quiet room would be a small but important signal of inclusion. Many workplaces respond that there is “no space”, but it is about will, not square footage, he points out.
He is grateful for the opportunity to have a home office, especially on Fridays.
– I block the calendar for Friday prayers, which is extra important, as long as I do not have important client meetings. I greatly appreciate working somewhere with such great flexibility, he says.

Unconscious prejudices

Although Ibrahim has fortunately rarely been exposed to direct racism himself, he has experienced unpleasant situations – especially directed at his wife, who wears a hijab.
– Once she was out pushing a stroller in Bogstadveien with her sister, a man came up to them and asked them to get out of Norway within 24 hours. Such things happen, even if it is not everyday, he says.

He believes that the media has a responsibility for how Muslims are portrayed.

– When a Muslim does something criminal, stigmatizing terms are used about all Muslims, such as “honor violence” or “Islamism”. When it comes to right-wing extremists, more neutral terms are used, even though they have been behind the worst terrorist attacks in Norway. The language used in the media affects people’s subconscious – also in the workplace, he states.

Ibrahim does not believe that those who recruit or work in Norwegian companies are prejudiced on purpose.

– It is probably often unconscious. But we must dare to talk about it. It is not about pointing fingers at anyone, but about creating understanding.

Ibrahim lives in Oslo with his wife and children and is involved in the local community. He believes that diversity is not only good for individuals – but for the entire work environment.
– We learn from each other when we have different perspectives. That’s what makes teams strong. Not that we’re the same, but that we’re open, he says.