Question by a Hindu Indian: Why do Muslim govt’s refrain Non-Muslims
from eating outside in the open during Ramadan in their country? why should we refrain if you are fasting?
Answer : Muslim govt’s don’t refrain Non Muslims only but
Muslims and their enterprises as well. This is a rule applied uniformly upon
every one irrespective of his religion.
Secondly, this argument could be countered by saying imagine
if Non Christians in the a Christian country disliked the govt giving everyone
a holiday on Christmas ? The Non christians could have carried on and made a
living or much more on those days ? will the Christian country , for the
personal preference or choice of these minorities or foreigners in their
country change their age old policy of benefit for the vast majority? Is this
fair?
Likewise is the case in Muslim countries. Apart from the luxurious life
style or a good standard of living compared to India and the other umpteen
facilities, safety and security which an energy rich nation provides the expats
with, it also expects them in return to respect their tradition and customs
which have been carried on for centuries.
In order to respect the vast majority or the Muslims and to
not make their 50 degree hot and humid fast all the more difficult, the govt .
enforces certain restrictions on eating in the open. But doesn’t say anything
to anyone eating indoors be it office or home. More so , this is not the only
thing it enforces.
(i) It also gives everyone across the kingdom and states less
working hours irrespective of your faith (bonus) ,
(ii) safeguards the labour work force from working in the sun
(iii) restricts food price
from inflating/rising thereby ensuring cheap and easy food supplies to every one of every
faith
(iv) also ensures that additional facilities such as letting the
restaurant owners run late night be facilitated.
And provides many more benefits excluding the major shopping sale which the Non Muslims equally enjoy from.
So the point is, apart from such a demand to not have this century old rule being
unfair it is also ungrateful of some to object to a small matter of eating
indoors and not whilst your walking on the street or in the open. Mutual respect , and gratefulness for the numerous favors you enjoy - especially when you
are NOT IN YOUR COUNTRY , is the least that is expected from you. Not eating on the roads for 28-30 days is not really too much to ask.
