These Muslim Holidays Are Not Optional In Islamic World - Reader comments at The New York Sun

Submitted by Linda, Mar 8, 2008 12:51

In the Islamic world most people are forced under the law to follow these Muslims Holy periods and this includes places like 'moderate' Morocco. For example with only a few expectations – such as pregnant or menstruating women - everyone in the Islamic world is required to follow Ramadan - and where it is openly flouted - that person could literally end up in prison or worst.

It is almost like being forced to follow Christmas - here in the West.

For the free world to treat these holidays or Holy periods as if they were voluntary - and therefore we should all share in the experience - goes against those who are persecuted in the Islamic world for rejecting all or part of the Islamic religious ritual.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
I agree that these Muslin "Holy" Days shouldn't be school Holidays!! I don't care if they do make up 10% of... [MORE]	Gailedge	Mar 22, 2008 11:15
I think that the entire month of September and especially 9/11 be be used as a holiday to educate the... [MORE]	Gene	Mar 15, 2008 11:09
Clearly, Muslims would rather have their children in Madrasses than in school. This reflects their general disdain for secular education,... [MORE]	Scott Baker	Mar 12, 2008 09:43
In my experience, Muslim students value education highly. There are exceptions, but most of my Muslim students work hard and... [MORE]	Diana	Mar 15, 2008 14:18
While I am not in favor of adding any more holidays to the calendar which result in a reduction of... [MORE]	Nina-NYC	Mar 10, 2008 14:03
Once again the Mayor is turning a blind eye to the needs of the people and trying to run the... [MORE]	B Harris	Mar 9, 2008 11:11
When there are churches in Saudi Arabia, then we can talk about muslim holidays. What is with these people and... [MORE]	Lou Stouch	Mar 8, 2008 18:17
In the Islamic world most people are forced under the law to follow these Muslims Holy periods and this includes...	Linda	Mar 8, 2008 12:51
Since RomanCatholics,Orthodox Christians.Byzantium etc don't get off all their Holy Days of obligation with the nyc public school calendar either,just... [MORE]	salome	Mar 7, 2008 22:29
I gather that foot washing places set up in every school. Then, perhaps we could have a minaret calling all... [MORE]	exasperated	Mar 8, 2008 18:44
Uhh, I practice some form of plant-root worship and uhh, every Thursday turns out to be the goddess "tuber's" day.... [MORE]	Al Frick	Mar 7, 2008 16:42
see good ole harvard for shria law; hey,all cultures are equally valid except in the land of the koran, [MORE]	tonymixanamixan	Mar 7, 2008 12:59
As a Pastafarian, I believe that September 19th, International Talk Like A Pirate Day, should be an official school,... [MORE]	Joshua Whalen	Mar 9, 2008 13:32