Tips for Non-Muslims in Ramadan ramadan, non-muslims, tips

For the Non-Muslim living in an Muslim Nation, the solution is not that difficult. A few basic actions will allow one to comfortably co-exist with their Muslim neighbors.

• Learn the important holidays in the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is based upon the lunar calendar so the dates change from year to year. Travelers can find this information beforehand and adjust their plans accordingly. Residents can find out the days in local papers, radio and TV.
  

• Learn the Islamic “do & don’t” of the holiday. You are not required to partake in Islamic laws but you should understand what is insulting to Muslims while they are fasting. Business will take things into account and usually provide for non-fasting individuals. Work will close from 1-4 PM (or end the day at 2 PM) so there is plenty of time to go home for lunch.
  

• Don’t get upset that your neighbors eat and socialize at midnight. The day begins after Iftar (sunset) and it is normal to see individuals up all night.
  

• Cars park everywhere during Iftar, so understand that a 2 lane road (one direction), completely blocked with parked cars outside a mosque, is also normal.
  

• Don’t walk around in provocative western clothes. Cities like Dubai and Bahrain are famous for Western dress; however, during Ramadan this attire is insulting. Men should wear pants and a shirt while women should wear either long dresses or a conservative top and pants: no tight pants, sweaters, blouses or short, low cut tops in public.
  

• Give a present to your neighbors or a worker you see. A box of dates after Iftar will go a long way in presenting your understanding of religious customs.
  

These few actions will make your time far more enjoyable and you will make many new friends.

Extracted from: http://religious-freedom.suite10 ... madan#ixzz0OVzzyiOh

Sorry to disagree, but ...."You are not required to partake in Islamic laws" is wrong !
We have to follow the same laws of not eating or drinking in public during this time,with the penalty here been 1 year in jail.
  So non muslims dont really have any choice in the matter.

Snafu, the point of the tips is not particular rule of some country its general guideline, its this countries choice to jail people for eating public but that is not an Islamic teaching.

Although (genuinely speaking as a Muslim) it feels offending to see someone eat in front of you while you are hungry, its not nice.

I work with non-Muslims here and they are nice and considerate while eating even in the office they dont eat in front of us (muslim employees) not because the goverment said they cant but because of respect.

"Although (genuinely speaking as a Muslim) it feels offending to see someone eat in front of you while you are hungry, its not nice."

But jim,its a test of YOUR belief in YOUR religion,to fast.Not to impose a law on everyone because some of you are weak.
Does that mean in a non muslim country,that everybody should not be allowed to eat in public as well,in case it "feels offending to see someone eat in front of you while you are hungry, its not nice. " ??

I didnt said i agree the prohibiting of eating in public in this country, but i was generally speaking about eating in front of hungry person.

About fasting, its a personal issue, if one fasts good for him / her if not bad for them. I knew many people who don't fast and are muslims and no human is there to judge them but Allah.

Actually it is not bcz if we see nonmuslim eat it will make our faith weak! not at all , someone who has strong faith it doesnt matter what he/she will see in front of him/her it will not effect her faith, not food nor drink. but as Jimmi said its one of the country`s rules. if it was an islamic rule then muslim could not live in nonmuslim`s countries fearing to break the rules bcz in other counties they even dont know about Ramadhan. try to understand what islam says and what the country says.....e.g. im in a process of helping my husband who is new to islam the diference between culture and religion, it is two things TOTALY different, though some of the arab culture base to  religion but many things are allowed by islam but not allowed by culture! and thats how it makes difficult to nonmuslim to understand us. unless someone who really wants to study about islamic religion and culture.

6# HonestLady

Well said HL, it won't make a difference to me if someone eats in front of me or not but i was speaking in general about eating in front of hungry person, is it nice? probably not at least not in my country.

on banning of public eating here in ramadan, i think they should have at least allowed in door restaurants to operate, I think there are as many Non-Muslims in here as muslims, a fasting muslim shouldnt go to restaurant anyway. my opinion.

Yes Brother i agree with you it is not nice to eat infront of a hungry person, but i was just trying to explain to Brother Snuf that it is not bun bcz it will effect our faith but its jsut bcz not nice and it is an individual thing, some people i work with they do respect and they dont eat infornt of me during Ramadhan but some dont care and i have no issue with them its ok with me. Ive never come across any hadeeth saheeh says Rasoul SAW use to prohibite nonmuslim not to eat in public for non muslims, He advised that not to eat in public incase if we are sick and not fasting. but not for nonmuslims?! do you know any hadeeth about Ramadhan to nonmuslims?

8# HonestLady


I have never heard of any reference sister, and i have not read where the prophet (pbuh) or his companions or even the Islamic empire used to forbid non-Muslims from eating in public during ramadan.

Well if i have to fast then so does everyone else  Seriously though, never worried about other people eating in public, if we have strong faith.  Nice tips Jim.

10# Noora

Hey look who is back, welcome back sister. how was the vacation?

11# Jimcale


Hey Jim, i had an excellent vacation thanks..and now looking forward to ramadan inshallah. How is Sab and your bundle of joy

12# Noora


hello hello, i am still in doha and not planning for vacation   we are very good sis thanks for asking, its wonderful. good you had enjoyable vacation. looking forward to Ramadan too my favorite month

13# Jimcale


Ramadan Kareem inshallah

Can I wear Tight pants......not planning on sweaters though ...lol

Jim its good tips for newbies in Qatar.

Reminds me of back home where during Ramadan our Muslim colleagues had to fast and work as anybody else. Sometimes they used to sit with us while eating...and they just say...I m not eating as I m fasting....and we carried on...and we used to talk as usual and joke etc....

Same also when Hindus used to fast during their festival ...we just carried on....work too used to be same no relaxation etc....

It was as if no big deal. And we used to look forward to each festival for their different food & delicacies ....

Johnson are you fishing for some food and delicacies? If you dont fast you dont get any ok

Noora dont you know..... I fast between meals...

yeah i know Johnson and i bet you also fast between bedtime and breakfast