Do you or the State have the right to force some one to fast or pray?

[Scorpio27]

I heard some in some countries and in some society people are forced to follow the religion rules and rituals.

1. Do you support the attitude?
2. Do suffer from force religious endorsement?

I believe religion is personal affair and matter of belief, none has right to interfere or force to follow r not.

Thanks

[fatamooo]

I don't think that a government has the right to force people to do something that was meant to be done out of our own freewill - if you are being forced to pray or fast, what does that say about your faith? Nothing - when people do the right thing even without a governments coercion, only then can they be seen for what they really are. Also if people are forced to do something, they will grow up hating it, and we don't want to start dreading Ramadhan!

[Scorpio27]

Nice reply, Thanks fatamooo. I be back after my IFTAR to watch if any other reply is here ..

Allah Hafez

[Kazablanka]

what countries are you talking about??

I dont think the government has the right to force people to fast or pray. Its between the person and Allah (swt).

I dont know if this is true or not, but I heard that, here in Oman, you get arrested if you are caught eating. But I dont think its a matter of "oh you are a muslim, you have to fast!!!!", I think its more of RESPECT to the other people that are fasting. Allahu a3lam.

[Scorpio27]

:D Oman~ I didn't know.
KSA do that i heard.

If you are a real pious you wouldn't bother what the others doing.

Right?

[fatamooo]

Yes, that's true, but its out of manners that people shouldn't eat in public places in a Muslim country... I wouldn't mind, but at the same time I would feel a teeeny weeeeny grudge starting against that person. It's important for everybody to respect the Holy month, even if they are not Muslim, because after all, they are in a Muslim country and must understand the culture and respect it. Just like if I went to a country in which the religion forbade meat, but meat was still sold in tourist spots, I wouldn't grab a burger, walk around the streets and chomp on it.

[Shinoda LP]

I lived in Oman (Salalah) for 17 years and never ever fasted through the month of Ramadhan. What really happens is that all restaurants/shops etc close down and only re-open just (or an hour before) Iftar ... AND, its against the rule for a non-Muslims to eat/drink in an open, public area which I guess I understand. I'm not too fond of this last rule, though.

I'd say only extremely Islamic countries are as strict as you make it seem, Hasnain.

[Scorpio27]

I understand Sino thanx for sharing the experience and fatamooo , u r right , we should be careful about the desency.

In our country Hotel, retaurants are closed , some are open which keeps half closed doors and shaded by curtains.

Hope it is reasonable.

Thanks

[Pineapple Thief]

A country doesnt have the right to do such things, because Religion works on an intensely personal level, as well as the government level. By not fasting, you are hurting nobody but yourself. However, a government has the right to, say, ban the import of alcohol because its haram. Some wont like it, but its a social issue, and it effects society as a whole.

Thats what I feel anyway.