Ramadan '07
Ramadan - that "wonderful" month where previously hedonistic people find god and pretend to be devout.
I love Ramadan for 2 reasons. One is the lack of traffic on the roads. Its absolutely amazing to be confronted with an empty road at 6:00pm.
The second is how quiet bars become. A conversation in a bar suddenly becomes possible. Music is turned down and it actually is a pleasant place. Why can't they be like this more? Why do most bars believe you have to blast music to ear-drum-splitting levels at all times?
What I hate about Ramadan is that you get to see Intolerance. Sanctioned Intolerance at that - sugar coated with that wonderful word: Respect.
Basically since we HAVE to respect their right not to be tempted, we should not eat. So how about some respect for my right to eat. I am hungry, why can't I eat? If you think you will get tempted, look away. But no. Since they might get tempted, we have to curtail our rights. Sounds very similar to the reasons why women need to be covered - since men might get tempted.....
Anyway Ramadan also gives me the opportunity to sample some buffets. And one incident stood out. An acquaintance of mine decided to join me and a friend for an iftar buffet. Unfortunately we ended up being at the receiving end of a sermon.
First we were grilled about our fasting. When I said that I did not fast, he began to berate me that I should follow the culture of the country he was staying in. My retort to this was asking him whether he ever celebrated christmas when he was studying in London. Obviously his answer was a big NO.
But the most shocking bit of the evening, was when he went onto to lecture my friend, who is a Hindu, on the "idiocy" of the Hindu religion. And how he doesn't really blame my friend for being a non-believer because his parents didn't teach him the right path. Well, the hindus might worship idols but atleast they don't go about persecuting non-believers and killing all who offend them.
Needless to say, we are not acquaintances anymore. A few choice words were exchanged and we headed out for a drink of the infidel's brew.
The really scary bit was that this fanatical acquaintance does not come across as an intolerant person in day to day life. He looks and acts like you and me. But inside there was a wave of hate waiting to be unleashed. Must have been the fasting blues.
Anyway, I'm Back.
I love Ramadan for 2 reasons. One is the lack of traffic on the roads. Its absolutely amazing to be confronted with an empty road at 6:00pm.
The second is how quiet bars become. A conversation in a bar suddenly becomes possible. Music is turned down and it actually is a pleasant place. Why can't they be like this more? Why do most bars believe you have to blast music to ear-drum-splitting levels at all times?
What I hate about Ramadan is that you get to see Intolerance. Sanctioned Intolerance at that - sugar coated with that wonderful word: Respect.
Basically since we HAVE to respect their right not to be tempted, we should not eat. So how about some respect for my right to eat. I am hungry, why can't I eat? If you think you will get tempted, look away. But no. Since they might get tempted, we have to curtail our rights. Sounds very similar to the reasons why women need to be covered - since men might get tempted.....
Anyway Ramadan also gives me the opportunity to sample some buffets. And one incident stood out. An acquaintance of mine decided to join me and a friend for an iftar buffet. Unfortunately we ended up being at the receiving end of a sermon.
First we were grilled about our fasting. When I said that I did not fast, he began to berate me that I should follow the culture of the country he was staying in. My retort to this was asking him whether he ever celebrated christmas when he was studying in London. Obviously his answer was a big NO.
But the most shocking bit of the evening, was when he went onto to lecture my friend, who is a Hindu, on the "idiocy" of the Hindu religion. And how he doesn't really blame my friend for being a non-believer because his parents didn't teach him the right path. Well, the hindus might worship idols but atleast they don't go about persecuting non-believers and killing all who offend them.
Needless to say, we are not acquaintances anymore. A few choice words were exchanged and we headed out for a drink of the infidel's brew.
The really scary bit was that this fanatical acquaintance does not come across as an intolerant person in day to day life. He looks and acts like you and me. But inside there was a wave of hate waiting to be unleashed. Must have been the fasting blues.
Anyway, I'm Back.
posted by Earthbound Misfit at 1:52 AM
1 comments
