Why should non muslims be forced to observe islamic rituals during Ramadan in Saudi?

[Subhankar Zac]

From WashingtonTimes:

Saudi Arabia has issued a warning to all foreigners and tourists who are in the country during the Muslim holy month ofRamadan: Abide all fasting rules, or else face punishment. The dictate applies to even those of different faiths.

“Those who are caught will be examined and will face legal action commensurate with their violation,” interior ministry officials said, United Press Internationalreported. “Punishment could be a prison term, or lashes, or both while foreigners could, in addition, be deported from the kindgon.”


Ramadan calls for Muslims to fast — abstain from all food, drink and smoking in public — in the period between sunrise and sunset.

Eating or Drinking during Ramadan may lead to Deportation
If you are Non-Muslim or even if you are Muslim but do not fast during the month of Ramadan, please do not eat or drink in public places. Saudi Arabia has very strict rules against people who do not respect the feelings of those who are fasting. If you are caught eating or drinking anything in public places, you would be immediately detained and deported from Saudi Arabia. It will ruin your career. Public places include workplace as well.

Also, the long tradition of keeping non Islamic worship away from public eyes is for the entire year, alcohol and pork are banned throughout the nation and year.

But many Muslims who still revere Saudi, in India are an uproar over chanting Vedic hymns or OM in public offices and schools.

 

[OurCreed]

Why should non muslims be forced to observe islamic rituals during Ramadan in Saudi?

They shouldn't.

End of story.

 

[sayak83]

From WashingtonTimes:

Saudi Arabia has issued a warning to all foreigners and tourists who are in the country during the Muslim holy month ofRamadan: Abide all fasting rules, or else face punishment. The dictate applies to even those of different faiths.

“Those who are caught will be examined and will face legal action commensurate with their violation,” interior ministry officials said, United Press Internationalreported. “Punishment could be a prison term, or lashes, or both while foreigners could, in addition, be deported from the kindgon.”


Ramadan calls for Muslims to fast — abstain from all food, drink and smoking in public — in the period between sunrise and sunset.

Eating or Drinking during Ramadan may lead to Deportation
If you are Non-Muslim or even if you are Muslim but do not fast during the month of Ramadan, please do not eat or drink in public places. Saudi Arabia has very strict rules against people who do not respect the feelings of those who are fasting. If you are caught eating or drinking anything in public places, you would be immediately detained and deported from Saudi Arabia. It will ruin your career. Public places include workplace as well.

Also, the long tradition of keeping non Islamic worship away from public eyes is for the entire year, alcohol and pork are banned throughout the nation and year.

But many Muslims who still revere Saudi, in India are an uproar over chanting Vedic hymns or OM in public offices and schools.

Of course they should not. End of story. But why do you suppose Indian Muslims want anything like the Saudi system? They don't. Despite significant economic hardships, Muslims are as enthusiastic about our constitutions, freedoms and rights as Hindus are and don't want to change them. They simply want more jobs, and it is a fact that many choose to work in the Gulf States as the jobs they get pay more than here. I feel Muslims in India in general (not Kashmir) would be quite satisfied if they felt they were getting equal opportunity of getting better quality life for themselves as the majority population. Actually making their lives better rather than treating them as vote banks or scapegoats would do a world of good.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/157079/m...-despite-economic-educational-challenges.aspx
I truly believe that India, with its large moderate Muslim population could serve as the center of a new Islamic enlightenment that counterbalances and nullifies the extremist narratives from the Middle Eastern theocracies. The opportunity is there and the need is urgent, some effort and innovativeness is required.

 

[Zardoz]

Actually, it doesn't seem to say that.

"...please do not eat or drink in public places. Saudi Arabia has very strict rules against people who do not respect the feelings of those who are fasting."

Seems reasonable, eating in front of those fasting is just rude. Nothing I see says non-Muslims can't eat in private.

 

[Subhankar Zac]

Actually, it doesn't seem to say that.

"...please do not eat or drink in public places. Saudi Arabia has very strict rules against people who do not respect the feelings of those who are fasting."

Seems reasonable, eating in front of those fasting is just rude. Nothing I see says non-Muslims can't eat in private.

Then Muslims should be forced to fast during navratri, Janmasthami, etc. In India.

 

[Rival]

"...please do not eat or drink in public places. Saudi Arabia has very strict rules against people who do not respect the feelings of those who are fasting."

Hurt feelings? That's it? Jesus Christ.

 

[Zardoz]

Then Muslims should be forced to fast during navratri, Janmasthami, etc. In India.

Forced to actually fast, or just not eat/drink in public? There is a difference.

 

[Zardoz]

Hurt feelings? That's it? Jesus Christ.

When in Rome...

 

[psychoslice]

Actually, it doesn't seem to say that.

"...please do not eat or drink in public places. Saudi Arabia has very strict rules against people who do not respect the feelings of those who are fasting."

Seems reasonable, eating in front of those fasting is just rude. Nothing I see says non-Muslims can't eat in private.

But it could be the other way around also, no one should have the right to push their beliefs on others, no one.

 

[Rival]

When in Rome...

My feelings are hurt when I see many things, but as long as it's not hurting me or offending me what's the fuss? Maybe we should not let Muslims show they are fasting over here in the U.K. because when in Rome, eat like the Romans do?

 

[Subhankar Zac]

Forced to actually fast, or just not eat/drink in public? There is a difference.

Difference is how you present your bigotry. According to your logic Muslims in India shouldn't protest against chanting Vedic hymns on yoga day in India.

 

[Flankerl]

Serves them right for being in the country tbh.

If you go to a theocratic nutjob country don't expect the people to be enlightened humanists.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

Serves them right for being in the country tbh.

If you go to a theocratic nutjob country don't expect the people to be enlightened humanists.

They might need to go as part of their job - they might not have much of a choice in the matter.

 

[Flankerl]

They might need to go as part of their job - they might not have much of a choice in the matter.

If your company forces you to go to countries like Saudi Arabia or North Korea you might want to think about a change.

 

[Altfish]

 

[Zardoz]

Difference is how you present your bigotry. According to your logic Muslims in India shouldn't protest against chanting Vedic hymns on yoga day in India.

If they're not compelled to chant, of course they shouldn't protest.

Look, I'm a Jew in a (nominally) Xian country, do you think I 'protest' Xmas? Of course not, for example I don't get offended at 'happy Xmas' greetings, why should I make a rukus over a good will wish?

Folk need to learn something called Tolerance. Both majorities and minorities.

 

[Subhankar Zac]

If they're not compelled to chant, of course they shouldn't protest.

Look, I'm a Jew in a (nominally) Xian country, do you think I 'protest' Xmas? Of course not, for example I don't get offended at 'happy Xmas' greetings, why should I make a rukus over a good will wish?

Folk need to learn something called Tolerance. Both majorities and minorities.

Self contradiction n hypocrisy doesnt validate double standards

 

[AsianActivist]

Actually, it doesn't seem to say that.

"...please do not eat or drink in public places. Saudi Arabia has very strict rules against people who do not respect the feelings of those who are fasting."

Seems reasonable, eating in front of those fasting is just rude. Nothing I see says non-Muslims can't eat in private.

This is just politically correct BS, sorry.

Next time it's Ramadan or Lent I'm going to be sure to have myself a good time.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

If your company forces you to go to countries like Saudi Arabia or North Korea you might want to think about a change.

True enough; people working at those sorts of levels will probably have that option.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

Actually, it doesn't seem to say that.

"...please do not eat or drink in public places. Saudi Arabia has very strict rules against people who do not respect the feelings of those who are fasting."

Seems reasonable, eating in front of those fasting is just rude. Nothing I see says non-Muslims can't eat in private.

Forcing people to refrain from eating because you want to fast is rude, actually. Imagine somebody forced other people around them to refrain from eating meat because they were vegan. That'd be selfish, wouldn't it? Eating in front of fasters =/= disrespecting their feelings; it's called feeding - something you need to do to stay healthy. If Muslims or any other religious group want to deliberately refrain from eating for a period then fine but it is immoral for them to force others to endure the same.