So, I've been thinking... a lot... and it may or may not be relevant, but I think it could be relevant. So I'm just going to go for it and write stuff.
Okay, so.. I was thinking about Ramadan and the differences between fasting in a Muslim community and fasting in a non-Muslim community. I'd like to point out some of the differences, and this is from my (perhaps very uninteresting to everyone else) personal experience, going through Ramadan when I was in the UK.
Last year was not only my first Ramadan all alone; away from family, it was also my first Ramadan in the UK.... during the Summer. I mean, the hot and sunny thing wasn't the hard part, because obviously I'm used to that since I live in Brunei, where the average temperature is probably 28, and now I live in Malaysia, where it is also pretty hot.. so, I mean... nothing new, really. The big issue was the fact that the hours of daylight was obviously extended - instead of fasting the usual 13 hours that I'm used to doing since... I can't remember when I started fasting... But anyway, fasting in the UK, during the Summer meant 18 (yeah, 10 + 8) hours. That means 18 hours of no eating nor drinking, and other stuff that you're not supposed to do that could break your fast (which you don't want to do before sunset).
That's just the beginning. I mean, 18 hours, fasting in the UK. People are eating everywhere, people offering you free samples for ice cream and juices and stuff, people are displaying their affection towards each other at the park, in the bus... everywhere, just..... everywhere.
Revealing clothes? Obviously, almost everywhere you go, there were shirtless guys, girls in crop tops and shorts. It didn't stop us from fasting. Sure, we'd appreciate a little respect, but you can't exactly expect it. Okay, so it is arguable that this is the UK, and Muslims are a minority, but still, my point is that just because people don't respect your holy month, doesn't mean you can't go through it.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - it should be between the person who is fasting and God. They have a choice whether to refrain from temptation or to give in to it. You cannot blame other people. These should be perceived as challenges, and if you're strong enough, you'd have no problem getting through it. Easy as that.
In countries where majority of the population is made up of Muslims, I guess it's only natural for them to feel like they should be shown respect by other people, but I don't think that should be the case. They have the luxury of shorter hours of working/school (well, actually, I don't know if they do this everywhere, but I know they used to do this in Brunei, not really sure if they still do it now though), they have daily food stalls(?)/markets(?)/bazaars(?) for the whole month where people can buy food for Iftar, they set rules for Ramadan where if a Muslim is seen eating in public there would face some sort of punishment (nothing physical though, i think it's in the form of money) - as this would encourage people to fast, and also to prevent other people from giving into temptation, and stuff like that, whereas there are people who are fasting in countries where Muslims are a minority, don't get those luxuries.
I found this reality TV show for TLC called All-American Muslims, and I think it's pretty cool the way that they portray the Muslims - it denies the stereotypes.
For instance, it shows some Muslims that are going through Ramadan and not even covering up, but are fasting.
Another example, a girl with tattoos but she fasts, and she chose to marry a non-Muslim who converted for her.
My point being.... just because she's not wearing a headscarf, just because she has a tattoo, just because she doesn't cover up..... does not mean she's not muslim / does not mean she does not pray / does not mean she hasn't read the Quran.
I've only watched 2 episodes so far, and I found some good points that they've made:
- "Every muslim woman has a right to choose whether they want to wear the hijab or not."
- "I wear my faith probably most in my heart more than anything. I'm comfortable with who I am as a Muslim."
- One of the characters in the show said that she doesn't think she needs to express her religion through the way she dresses.
- There isn't a scoreboard and you can't say "hey, I'm more Muslim than you are" or "hey, you're a crappy Muslim", it doesn't work like that.
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