‘Warning’ for non-Muslims caught eating in public during Ramadan

Posted by: Dcoupet Sunday, 24 July 2011 8:33 PM[UAE] - USA

Just curious, since the UAE has a large diabetic population, what do these people do during Ramadan. Do they refrain from eating as well, or is it okay for them to eat so long as it si in private? Also, what about pregnant or nursing mothers? Do they fast too, or excused?

Posted by: Shamama Saturday, 6 August 2011 5:05 PM[UAE] - Pakistan

Diabetics can fast if they are willing and able, my mother fasts and she has been a diabetic for 25 years. Pregnant and nursing women are exempt from fasting.

Posted by: Taimur Sunday, 31 July 2011 9:41 PM[UAE] - Pakistan

Ramadhan is about "Sabr"...what type of Muslim is that who when see anybody eating can't control himself..is it the teaching of islam..definitely not

Posted by: Marwan Monday, 25 July 2011 10:17 AM[UAE] - Saudi Arabia

To Dcoupet:
The title states "in public". In Islam, nursing and pregnant women as well as males/females that have medical conditions and need to take medication are excused from fasting during Ramadan. Out of courtesy, it is best to refrain from eating in front of others that may be fasting

Posted by: Lee Tuesday, 19 July 2011 8:35 AM[UAE] - Qatar

We all know the rules so why complain, it's the way it is here. You don't get paid the extra 50 pence to work out here for nothing! If you don't like the fact then go back to Europe and take the pay cut.

Posted by: Mohamed Tuesday, 19 July 2011 8:34 AM[UAE] - UAE

Since this discussion is still going on, have to respond:

@ Telecoguy, most western countries are secular and religion should be a private matter so if Muslims fast freely in the west they are still abiding by the laws of the land. However, they don?t ask for restaurants and caf�?s to close (which is normal in a Muslim country during Ramadan) cuz its against the law and norm in the west, unlike you guys here who complain about our laws day and night. Of course our laws aren?t the best i.e. property visa confusion. However, this is 1 of our good and consistent laws with the Islamic nature of the country.
(continued on next post)

Posted by: Mohamed Tuesday, 19 July 2011 8:34 AM[UAE] - UAE

@Telecoguy, as you mentioned Muslims in the U.K can?t legally register more than 1 wife, although Islam permits up to 4. This should be a personal matter and is consistent with the freedom of practicing one?s religion; however, it is unrecognized as a legal marriage. Now that is a contradiction with the freedom of practicing 1?s religion. The France ban on the niqab is another example (I have no issues with the ban, just pointing at the contradiction of freedom of expression and restricting how a women is dressed ? it is ok if she almost undress, the issue is just if she over dress!!)
The real problem is when people are promised freedom and rights then suddenly they discover that those freedoms are tailored to specific countries and societies and they are forced to obey or else (break the law, pay fines, etc)
The UAE is a Muslim country with religion as a public matter (not a secret) and creating laws to preserve the Islamic nature of the country is perfectly normal and consistent.

Posted by: Arabiat Sunday, 7 August 2011 11:50 AM[UAE] - UAE

P M Shah....just wanted to point out that you really don't seem to understand what Mohamed is talking about based on your response. UAE is a muslim country with muslim laws, UK and others are secular non religious. If a secular society is to be so called inclusive to all then it should respect all religions else it cannot be called secular. Under islamic law non muslims in an islamic country are free to practive and be judged by their own religion but to ask that a Muslim non secular country change so that seculars like yourself would feel at home is unacceptable in my opinion.

Posted by: P M Shah Tuesday, 19 July 2011 7:30 PM[UAE] - uae

Mohammed you are missing the point. In France women can dress any way they like but no one can cover their faces in such a way that they can not be recognized.

Marrying 4 wives may be " allowed " in Islam, it is neither "a must do " nor is it recommended. The basic tenets of Islam - praying 5 times, fasting in Ramadan , and going to Hajj are freely practiced by Muslims around the world even in non Islamic societies without restriction. Marriage on the other hand is a "civil" issue and as per UK civil laws only one legal wife is recognized and this is logical. Many Islamic countries also allow only one legal wife !

If 4 legal widows were to fight over the property of a Muslim in UK, the courts won't know what to do. Non Muslims are judged by Shaira laws here. Let Muslims be ready to live by the civil laws of the country they live in.

Posted by: Laith Monday, 18 July 2011 8:18 PM[UAE] - UAE

Folks, just refrain from your never-ending whining. I have rarely seen anyone consume anything in public so what is your problem and why are you crying wolf as usual??? Nobody is preventing you from hogging and drinking, just do not make a gaudy public display of it. Every nation is entitled to set its own laws, the UAE as well.