Ramadan

[Grassman]

Lots of my students are doing it which is tough during the exam period. I would like to tell them that is there is a god then he really would not mind during your Alevels to eat and rink but it is not worth the hassle.

You not teaching them science, then? Teach that well enough and hopefully they'd all see the error of their ways.

 

[Grassman]

The Koran is made up of oral accounts given by witnesses, some conflicting, and put in a book which was then deemed perfect and beyond criticism.

Sounds a bit like the NUS Constitution.

Apart from the bits nicked from the old testament, you mean.

 

[Don Quixote]

I'm not an athiest, I'm an antithiest. Religion serves no purpose other than to spread hatred and war in the name of whichever made up deity the idiots claim exist.

Churches run by paedos, bombings by fanatics, rapes and wife beatings........not sure that sounds like a good thing to me.

Religion didn't do those things, people did.

 

[JC Footy Genius]

You not teaching them science, then? Teach that well enough and hopefully they'd all see the error of their ways.

If only it was that simple to undo a lifetime of indoctrination. Risking being ostracised from family, friends and your community plus of course the minor matter of the apostate death penalty sanction all helps to keep the 'faithful' in line.

 

[beorhthelm]

Speaking to one Pakistani a few years ago he said to me it's more to do with the Koran being a code on conduct to all Muslims . The Koran is a way of life more than just a religion. They must adhere to it even if there's controversial references..

so like every religion then, you're supposed to follow all their teachings as a way of life.

 

[edna krabappel]

Apart from the bits nicked from the old testament, you mean.

...which is, of course, also made up of oral accounts passed down over the centuries...

 

[Bolton va va]

I'm not an athiest, I'm an antithiest. Religion serves no purpose other than to spread hatred and war in the name of whichever made up deity the idiots claim exist.
Churches run by paedos, bombings by fanatics, rapes and wife beatings........not sure that sounds like a good thing to me.

It was a good job Mussolini, Pol Pot, Mao, or Stalin had no religeous beliefs or they might have spread some hatred and war in the name of it.

 

[McTavish]

I have no desire to celibate superstitions and illogical customs of any faith especially one thats got a blood soaked history.

No Christmas pressies for you then...

 

[looney]

No Christmas pressies for you then...

Humbug.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Christianity has lent
Islam has Ramadam

Who copied who?

 

[Sheebo]

I was in Dubai for part of Ramadan last year (twice)
-out of respect, no eating or drinking in 'public' (ie at your desk etc)
-some cafes remain open, but have their windows fully screened
-the pantry, in-house starbucks-type place and canteen in the office were open, but again fully screened off
-many Muslims will have at least some fluid during the day, depending on your teaching it's not absolutely forbidden, but if you do take anything then normal practice is to give something to the needy/homeless etc to make up for it (there is a word for this but I've forgotten)
-Iftar (fast-breaking) after dusk is a big deal, with large family gatherings every evening
-local working hours are adjusted - 9-5 typically becomes 8-2.30/3 instead, people then go home. Based on what my team are like I would also suggest output declines significantly (including from the Expats). It's a bit like the Christmas/New Year period over here but without the pissups and lasting a lot longer.
-the incidence of accidents on the roads increases dramatically during Ramadan as low blood-sugar levels cause havoc with concentration and reaction times (so the locals tell me)

Were you happy to adjust your life for something (I presume) had nothing to do with you or no significance? I wouldn't mind out of respect, in a heavily Muslim populated country but over here there is no chance Muslims would be forced to adjust their lifestyle so dramatically for an event that is based on another religion is there. I do think we're too PC at times and other countries don't give a shit.... (And no Christmas isn't quite the same as Dazza describes, before anyone suggests that!)

 

[SeagullofMalaysia]

I can give my input if you want, as I'm a Muslim that's currently fasting

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[SeagullofMalaysia]

The person I quoted rather sarcastically suggested that Ramadan is healthy - then calling those that carry the practice of it idiots.

At the bottom of his post it says: Last edited by cjd; Today at 10:32. Reason: Changed one word as I mustn't let truth get in the way.

His sarcastic post was based on the premise that Ramadan is unhealthy. But, the truth of the matter is the scientific literature does not seem to suggest that it is unhealthy, overall. There may be some specific instances where it is unhealthy, and certain subsets of patients should avoid it. There are some co-founding factors as well. But the overall picture is that is does not harm health, and indeed there may be some health benefits to it.

This is true for many other practices of Islam as well. Alcohol - clearly unhealthy. Pork - far more unhealthy than most other meats.

I too object to people posting things as facts or truths when they do not actually know that to be the case. A little education goes a long way.



Of course there is. Search for 'Ramadan meta-analysis' or similar on Google or PubMed and you will get lots of results. Meta-analysis papers basically combine lots of different research papers.

Here's some to get you started:

Is Ramadan fasting related to health outcomes? A review on the related evidence.
Rouhani MH1, Azadbakht L1.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Fasting during Ramadan is an Islamic rule. Although previous review studies have assessed the impact of Ramadan on cardiovascular risk factors, athlete performance, diabetes and transplantation, in this study we have appraised some on these reviews by focusing on limitations and also, we have reviewed more recently published study and several recent studies, which are not reviewed till now.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
In this article, we reviewed recently conducted studies in regarding the impact of Ramadan fasting on weight, lipid profile, diabetes, immune system and gestation. MEDLINE (http://www.pubmed.com) was searched by using "Ramadan" as keyword and the most recent articles in mentioned topics since 2009 until February 2014 were selected.
RESULTS:
Although weight has been decreased during Ramadan in the most studies, weight regain is prevalent during the following months. Meta-analysis of pre-Ramadan lipid profile in comparison to post-Ramadan values had been showed that total cholesterol and triglyceride were decreased in men and high-density lipoprotein was increased among women. In regarding diabetes and fasting, diabetic patients should be aware that medical, nutritional and physical activity consulting is necessary for individuals with diabetes who want to fast during Ramadan. Although published studies show that Ramadan fasting had no serious adverse effect on offspring, it is strongly recommended that pregnant women avoid fasting because of the limitations of studies. The effect of fasting during Ramadan on the immune system is favorable. Ramadan fasting has no impact on kidney function and urine component.
CONCLUSION:
Studies showed that Ramadan fasting has health protective effects. More precise studies should be conducted for more reliable conclusion.

........

Islamic fasting and health.
Azizi F1.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan, the 9th lunar month. The duration of fasting varies from 13 to 18 h/day. Fasting includes avoidance of drinking liquids and eating foods. The aim of this article is to review health-related aspects of Ramadan fasting.
METHODS:
Related abstracts from 1960 to 2009 were obtained from Medline and local journals in Islamic countries. One hundred and thirteen articles meeting the criteria for paper selection were reviewed in depth to identify details of related materials.
RESULTS:
During the fasting days of Ramadan glucose homeostasis is maintained by meals taken before dawn and by liver glycogen stores. Changes in serum lipids are variable and depend on the quality and quantity of food consumption and changes in weight. Compliant, well-controlled type 2 diabetics may observe Ramadan fasting, but fasting is not recommended for type 1, noncompliant, poorly controlled and pregnant diabetics. There are no adverse effects of Ramadan fasting on the heart, lung, liver, kidney, eyes, hematologic profile, endocrine and neuropsychiatric functions.
CONCLUSIONS:
Although Ramadan fasting is safe for all healthy individuals, those with various diseases should consult their physicians and follow scientific recommendations.

.......

You can also take a look at the NHS website. This is what they have to say about Ramadan:



http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/healthyramadan/Pages/healthyramadanhome.aspx

I believe pregnant women usually opt out of fasting

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[spence]

I was in Dubai for part of Ramadan last year (twice)
-out of respect, no eating or drinking in 'public' (ie at your desk etc)
-some cafes remain open, but have their windows fully screened
-the pantry, in-house starbucks-type place and canteen in the office were open, but again fully screened off
-many Muslims will have at least some fluid during the day, depending on your teaching it's not absolutely forbidden, but if you do take anything then normal practice is to give something to the needy/homeless etc to make up for it (there is a word for this but I've forgotten)
-Iftar (fast-breaking) after dusk is a big deal, with large family gatherings every evening
-local working hours are adjusted - 9-5 typically becomes 8-2.30/3 instead, people then go home. Based on what my team are like I would also suggest output declines significantly (including from the Expats). It's a bit like the Christmas/New Year period over here but without the pissups and lasting a lot longer.
-the incidence of accidents on the roads increases dramatically during Ramadan as low blood-sugar levels cause havoc with concentration and reaction times (so the locals tell me)

No such problems in Turkey during Ramadan. Life goes on and doesn't halt for non muslims. All resturants and bars open.Maybe these Arab countries can learn a thing or two and move with the times?
Ramadan isn't forced down your throats in Turkey.

I remember one cafe i went into i asked for a beer with my meal. The waiter asked if i mind if they poured my beer into a coke cup as there was a mosque close by and the Imran gets funny. How about that?

I've seen many nice touches in Turkey. Pork shops,the Star of David on resturant signs etc. Maybe that's why i've been there 8 times already. Fabulous country and welcoming whoever you are. No problems in Turkey if your gay either.

 

[beorhthelm]

Were you happy to adjust your life for something (I presume) had nothing to do with you or no significance? I wouldn't mind out of respect, in a heavily Muslim populated country but over here there is no chance Muslims would be forced to adjust their lifestyle so dramatically for an event that is based on another religion is there. I do think we're too PC at times and other countries don't give a shit.... (And no Christmas isn't quite the same as Dazza describes, before anyone suggests that!)

in what way isnt it? Christmas and Easter Sunday are literally the only days the country stops and the only thing open are some pubs and restrurants, cabbies and an odd Hindu/Muslim run cornershop. its not PC so much as we just dont observe much because we've become more secular.

 

[Wilko]

I can give my input if you want, as I'm a Muslim that's currently fasting

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Purely out of interest and me being nosey, were you Muslim before going to Malaysia?

 

[SeagullofMalaysia]

Purely out of interest and me being nosey, were you Muslim before going to Malaysia?

Well, I'm a Malaysian citizen, and Muslim since birth (though I consider myself more liberal than most Muslims here)

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[dazzer6666]

Were you happy to adjust your life for something (I presume) had nothing to do with you or no significance? I wouldn't mind out of respect, in a heavily Muslim populated country but over here there is no chance Muslims would be forced to adjust their lifestyle so dramatically for an event that is based on another religion is there. I do think we're too PC at times and other countries don't give a shit.... (And no Christmas isn't quite the same as Dazza describes, before anyone suggests that!)

Yeah I was ok with it - wandering over to the pantry to gave a drink was no big deal. Just a change of habit for a few days really. Agree re the situation over here though and we are always the ones that bow to the sensitivities of others. If I can, I'll avoid the region during Ramadan in future though (I went 2 weeks ago to do just that) - not because of the fasting thoughh, more because you can't get any bloody work done.

 

[Wilko]

Well, I'm a Malaysian citizen, and Muslim since birth (though I consider myself more liberal than most Muslims here)

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Ah ok, got you confused with another poster who has moved to Malaysia.

 

[Questions]

Christianity has lent
Islam has Ramadam

Who copied who?

During Lent you just give something up, you don't fast.
As a catholic youth I gave up having sex. Really pissed off our local priests.