Ramadan

Fasting has many benefits. It draws you closer to God, gives perspective, and keeps you healthy. It is beneficial for our spiritual, social, physical fitness
www.dawateislami.net/blog/spiritual-benefits-of-fasting

I have worked with colleagues who have felt faint during the day because of the lack of food. If people wish to do this they should book their annual leave for that time.

I have no objection to the food fasting but to tell someone not to have water from dawn to dusk is ridiculous . That cannot be beneficial to anyone.

I wonder about the lack of water too, Niobe. It won’t do the kidneys any good, surely?

In most Muslim countries putting weight on is often a consequence of Ramadan as each evening the fast is broken with Iftar which is like a celebratory banquet each evening, eating can continue almost to daybreak when the last meal Suhoor is taken. In many Arab countries the working time is reduced to six per day usually 8am to 2pm to allow fasters to sleep through as much of the fasting period as possible, it is a very festive and happy time.

I've lived in a Muslim country and people actually put on weight, as Joelsnan says. That's for two reasons, one the festive nature of the food and the second because they are drawn to sweet things such as cakes and puddings.

It was noticeable how life slowed down as the month went on. I used to take my children to school at about 7:30am. Normally, everywhere such as shops and businesses were open by that time of day but towards the end of the month, they were still closed as I returned from the school run, an hour later!

Not good to fast all day long for any reason.Do children have to follow these diktats as well?

Incidentally, there are folk of all faiths ( and none) that are honest citizens of any country.

Children don't have to, Lemongrove, but plenty of them do.

People who are ill, pregnant or breastfeeding are also exempt, but are expected to make it up at another time.

There are similar fast days in Judaism too, but only one day, not a month.
There are exemptions on medical grounds, especially with water.

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At my Catholic schools on saints days, there were quite a few, mass and communion were obligatory, these would be held at the beginning of the school day. Way back then one was expected to fast before communion so that meant no breakfast We were allowed to bring sandwiches in and eat them at our desks afterwards. I do remember an occasional fainting (not me, I was built of sterner stuff ). However, the fasting only lasted to mid morning. Not sure how diabetics would cope, possibly they would get a dispensation on medical grounds.

Funny how one can't refer to certain peoples and fasting in a tv programme without it being deemed a slur.
Some people are easily offended.

I could go without food all day with no issue but certainly couldn't go without water.

For many years my classes had several Muslim kids and Ramadan was not a problem. Fasting was not expected of the littlest and the only adjustment requested was that, if necessary, older children could skip swimming lessons.
At the end of Ramadan, Eid was a time of celebration and sharing.

As for being offended, I believe it's more likely that some posters set out to be unpleasant and offensive and derive pleasure from being on their high horse!

And now after relating my non-controversial experiences I'll possibly be accused of virtue-signalling and lefty, bleeding-heart liberalism.
Don't care!!!

My Muslim friends tell me fasting reminds them that many people in the world don't have enough to eat or drink on a regular basis, so thank Allah (pboh) that they in the developed world, do.

Yes Bradfordlass a widely held belief I think.