Ramadan is here. Time for muslims to behave

[JPMorgan888]

Pakistan stops its offensives for Ramadan
Zarar Khan, Associated Press in Islamabad
The Guardian, Monday September 1 2008

Pakistan said yesterday it was suspending a military operation against insurgents in the tribal region for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

A Taliban spokesman welcomed the decision to halt the strikes in the Bajur tribal region, a rumoured hide-out of Osama bin Laden, but government and military officials warned that any provocation by insurgents in the area would prompt immediate retaliation.

Despite not committing to a formal end to the operation against insurgents, interior minister Rehman Malik said people displaced from Bajur could return to the region "without any fear". He said the suspension would take effect today, but army spokesman Major Murad Khan said the military had already halted its activities.

US officials have pressed Pakistan to crack down on militants in its tribal region, fearing Taliban and al-Qaida-linked fighters involved in attacks on US and Nato forces in Afghanistan use those border areas as safe zones.

Pakistan's five-month-old government at first tried peace talks with militants, but those efforts bore little fruit. It has turned to force in recent weeks, including using helicopter gunships and jets to attack insurgent hideouts.

Bajur has been the primary focus, though clashes have also occurred in Swat, in the north-west of the country. The operation in Bajur has killed at least 562 Islamist insurgents and displaced more than 300,000 people, Malik said.

The numbers and scope of the operations have been nearly impossible to confirm because of the remote, dangerous nature of the region. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for a string of recent suicide attacks, calling them revenge for US offensives.

 

[sleaguepunter]

During Ramadan period, most conflicts between muslim countries normally go into informal truce, prisoners exchange, that sort of thing. No makan and drinks how to fight.

 

[aakumu]

Hi bro,
War is never good, if going to do it do it quick, if not do not do it at all.

My humble two cents.

 

[hearthard]

They should makan and minum together during Ramadan and who knows they become friends and don't have to fight anymore, and everyday is Ramadan for them.

 

[pia]

They should behave year round. Same with other religions.

 

[JPMorgan888]

But they expect all of us to behave.

Anger at council fasting request
Councillors in east London have reacted angrily after being asked to observe Muslim fasting rules in meetings held during Ramadan.

Tower Hamlets councillors were asked to "not partake of any refreshments" until Muslim councillors received their permitted evening meal, known as Iftar.

Liberal Democrat councillor Stephanie Eaton said: "This is going too far."

The council said it wanted councillors to be sensitive about eating "whilst others in the room are fasting".

Muslims fast during daylight hours in the holy month of Ramadan, which began in the UK on Monday.

Tower Hamlets has a high Muslim population, recorded at 36% in the 2001 census, and its 51 councillors were asked to observe a number of changes during Ramadan.

I am concerned that this gives the impression that the council is going to be Muslim-run and that Islam is given special status
Councillor Stephanie Eaton

This included refraining from eating refreshments supplied during late-night meetings "until after the Iftar refreshments are served", an email from Democratic Services head John Williams told them.

Ms Eaton felt the move was "inappropriate" and "divisive".

She said: "I am quite happy to make accommodation in my working life for my Muslim colleagues but Tower Hamlets residents, and my colleagues, come from all different backgrounds and religions."

She added: "I am concerned that this gives the impression that the council is going to be Muslim-run and that Islam is given special status in the council."

In addition, a number of council meetings have been cut or rescheduled to enable Muslim councillors to return home in time for their permitted meal.

Conservative councillor Peter Golds said it was "a pretty rum way of doing things".


RAMADAN
Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during this month
The period is used to increase self-control and abandon bad habits
Fasting between dawn and dusk, known as sawm, is obligatory for every able Muslim
Muslims try to recite as much of the Koran as they can during the month
Some Muslims move into mosques during the last 10 days of serious reflection

"The council has been pretty slow during August so it is not a good time to reduce the number of meetings," he said.

Meetings have previously been adjusted to accommodate Ramadan, "but not as overtly as this," Mr Golds said.

Despite Mr Williams' email, a council spokeswoman said there was "no suggestion" that non-Muslim councillors were asked to refrain from eating or drinking during Ramadan.

"All that's being asked for is courtesy to be shown to the sensitivities around some councillors eating during council meetings whilst others in the room are fasting," she said.

A Muslim Council of Britain spokesman said non-Muslims often do not eat in front of Muslims who are fasting during Ramadam out of courtesy.

"It is very considerate to do so, but that is their own choice," he said.

"Practising faith is a person's free choice. You cannot impose it on anyone."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/london/7593764.stm

Published: 2008/09/02 15:02:01 GMT

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