Surely you can't just miss it......

[iwantagta]

Right. First I want to make it clear i'm not having a pop its just something I do not understand.

Apparently Ramadan falls during the olympics and some religious elders have given permission for some athletes to not follow it and make it up later.
Eh?
How does that work?
If you truly believed in the teachings surely the dates are important? If not why not delay it when it falls on other inconvenient dates?
if you do believe, surely you are risking letting your self in for some really really unpleasant punishment if your earth bound leader was talking rubbish about it being OK with his mate? (presumably "really unpleasant punishment" as those seem to be the ones favoured by most religions)

I thought religion was a lot about subjugation to anothers will, surely some poxy sporting event is not more important than following the teachings?

As I say please dont think i'm having a pop at Islam because i'm not. I can honsetly say I believe as much of Islam as any other religion and find Muslims very friendly when I meet them.

[davepoth]

Many parts of the Muslim faith are quite flexible about Ramadan. The point of it is to fast to think about those less well of than themselves IIRC, but the Sharia surrounding it suggests that if there's a good reason not to fast (pregnancy or illness are often cited, as well as slightly more esoteric ones like being in the artic circle when there's no night) then alternative arrangements can be made.

[oldbanger]

As far as I am aware, there have always been people who are exempted from having to follow Ramadan - for example the Koran says that people who are travelling, going into battle or unwell, plus women who are pregnant or menstruating do not need to follow the fast, though they may need to make up later. I understand that the Koran is sufficiently vague on these to allow a degree of lattitude on definitions here as well, and hard manual labour can also qualify if certain penances are done (e.g. through feeding a poor man for every day of the fast broken).

Edited by oldbanger on Sunday 29th July 21:55

[Superficial]

The Qur'an sets out clear guidelines for those can't fast, the fasting can either be made up at a later date or substituted by feeding the poor. The main point of Ramadan is to reflect on those who aren't as well off, I don't think either of the above exemptions stop that from happening.

With regards to Islamic scholars or Imam's advising Olympians on whether it is permissible to delay Ramadan they are very learned individuals. Much like a priest does in Christianity, they are able to guide Muslims on what is and isn't allowed Islamically.

[Mojooo]

If you miss a days fasting you have to make it up later - so I guess that is what they will do doing.

[Blib]

iwantagta said:

I thought religion was a lot about subjugation to anothers will,

Thar's yer problem....

[essexplumber]

I think it paints Islam in a good light, with all the recent troubling aspects of extremist Islam in the news its good to see that some Muslim leaders do put day to day life before their religion.

Fair play to them I say.

[lazygraduand]

Muslim friend of mine is taking a week's break from it because she's recently started a new job and doesn't want to make a bad impression or not be able to fit in to the company. I think it's not really a big deal as long as one can justify it

[dmulally]

I didn't know fasting was to think of those who don't have enough to eat. Thanks for that and good on the people doing it with that in mind.

[Famous Graham]

I would have thought the dates would be the *least* important part of it.

It's all about the commitment and thought process rather than adhering to a day in the calendar. I would imagine the structure, ie the dates, actually came in to being way after the practice was developed.

[Chilli]

I have a good friend (here in Dubai) who is an Arab, and a devout Muslim. He's a cracking bloke and a true gent...would do anything for you. During Ramadan, he's gone home slipped the tely on and raided the fridg...compltely forgotten it's Ramadan. Neiother he or his family were too upset, as it was a mistake. As others have said, as long as you make up for it, it's not a problem. I forgot last year and stood right outside a Mosque just before prayer time slurping away of some kinds slush-puppy thingh before I remembered. No-one battered an eyelid.

[Nick M]

Chilli said:

No-one battered an eyelid.

What about the rest of you ?!


FWIW, I'm currently in Malaysia and I do try and be considerate towards the muslims in the office by not, as I would normally have done, grabbing my breakfast and occasionally my lunch in the office.

[williamp]

Are you also aware that Good friday, ash Wednesday and easter monday, (three very important christian festival dates) move around a lot? Its always a friday and a monday. But not necessarially the same calender day

[iphonedyou]

williamp said:

Are you also aware that Good friday, ash Wednesday and easter monday, (three very important christian festival dates) move around a lot? Its always a friday and a monday. But not necessarially the same calender day

Good point. So far as I'm aware, Ramadan is about the act of reflecting on those less fortunate, and giving. I suppose there's no reason why this can't be done at another time, should a pressing reason for delaying it present itself.

[MrMagoo]

I'm pretty sure those Muslims who don't fast need to feed a certain amount of poor people a day. I think

[iphonedyou]

MrMagoo said:

I'm pretty sure those Muslims who don't fast need to feed a certain amount of poor people a day. I think

They usually make donations, rather than actively feed the poor. They try to do that whether or not they're fasting, though (IIRC).