Deseret News | Ramadan — Utah Muslims reflect on month of fasting

Reader comments
Ramadan — Utah Muslims reflect on month of fasting

inferno714 | 1:00 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

I am grateful to the Deseret News for printing this article. I am not Muslim, I'm actually Mormon, but I have a great deal of respect for and interest in Islamic culture, and would love to be able to meet a Muslim and talk to him about his faith. I know what it's like to have one's religion vilified by the media. I find it far more valuable and rewarding to me to actually converse with a person who is a member of a certain group rather than merely believe what I hear reporters say. My hat goes off to the Ahmed family for their openness and willingness to share this information with people. It does a lot of good to hear it from those on the inside, rather than from outsiders looking in. Again, I have nothing but deep respect and admiration for faithful Muslims and would love the chance to get to know one personally. Thanks again, Sofia and Faisal Ahmed.

How about this self control? | 6:22 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

Mastery over self? Perhaps now if we can get them not to riot when someone publishes a cartoon of their prophet.

Re: Inferno714 | 9:11 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

My thoughts as well.

Comments continue below

arc | 9:51 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

I know several Muslims. One man I know with his observes Ramadan. He still comes to work, just doesn't have lunch. No one bugs him about it, nor tries to eat in front of him.

Teacher | 10:41 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

I liked to hear that these two weren't required to do it all day when they were young. I have a third grader who was doing it (I'm not sure how much) and he sure struggled. He was whiny and even got in a fight, which is totally not like him. Thanks for sharing this article.

HMY | 11:26 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

As a practicing Muslim, I am very humbled by this piece because it provides in my opinion a greater understanding of what Muslims go through during this month to people who have studied Islam or this is their first exposure to the religion. I would like to applaud Faisal and Sofia Ahmed for portraying the religion of Islam in its true beauty. As for the comment made about the cartoons, in the Islamic religion it is forbidden to have any drawings or resemblance of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) because it may lead to worship of the Prophet, when Islam teaches that Allah (God) is the only and only that has the right to be worshiped. This is a value Muslims hold very dear and near to their heart and when someone disrespects that to the extent that the cartoons, it was going to bring about a response.

to HMY | 11:48 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

While you are entitled to live your religion, because someone offends you and they do not hold the same beliefs as you, you cannot rise up in violence against them because they merely expressed an opinion. While you enjoy the freedoms this nation has to offer, you cannot expect to take others freedoms from them. It is the height of hypocrisy.

Whoah | 12:23 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008

Although I don't agree with all the violence as a result of that cartoon, it is a hasty generalization to lump all Muslims together. Were there protests here in Salt Lake? Was there violence from the Islamic community here because of this cartoon? These are things to know about before this topic is even brought up in relation to this story. This is a story about two native Utahns practicing their religion. To throw them into the mix of terrorism, violence, etc. would be to compare polygamous fundamentalist Mormons to your Mormon neighbors. These message boards are notorious for people pulling things out of context and it is just really sad. These comment boards are so indicative of how naive, close minded, confused and over sensitive we all can be. Ease up on the cartoon discussion and other discussions far from the reality of the story.

Anti-PC Infidel | 1:33 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008

I have a friend who is a "cheater Muslim." He has decided that, during Ramadan, sundown is 5:00 PM. During the day he periodically buys snacks and lines them up on his desk. When 5:00 hits, he chows down. He says that even the non-cheater Muslims usually gain weight during Ramadan, because of the gorging during the night.

I have also seen him eat pork ramen. His wife doesn't know about that.

No ANTI-Mormons here? | 2:14 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008

I'm not the least surprised that there are few comments under this article. Usually anti-LDS comments RAVE about the Deseret News not covering other religions but I guess they just don't choose to see the other articles.

That is in defense of Utah and the LDS presence here.

Lastly I'll say, cheers to the article!

Ken | 2:41 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008

To Woah. Very well put. Bigotry begins with generalizations.

Way to go! | 4:11 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008

I am glad to see some diversity in this paper and in Utah. I am not Muslim but have a great respect for it. I have learned that it is a religion of peace and has shaped modern civilization in great ways. I would hope that all the right wingers out there would stop pointing fingers at this religion and learn about it. Human understand is enriched greatly by learning. Maybe I should follow the example of these faithful individuals and try fasting and abstaining from gossip. It is a value we could all learn.

Doc | 6:07 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008

Any religion will have those who abuse it for power or prestige. Intolerance can wear a turban or shroud itself in vestments. When in Denmark, I was hosted by a very gracious imam and his family. I think this is the true face of those who follow Islam. A religion should not be judged by the Osamas of the world, whether Muslim, Christian or otherwise.

Not interested | 6:46 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008

Why are you reporting on a religion with branches that brainwash followers into blowing themselves up to please God? As a tiny first step, why don't they graduate their ideology from the 7th century into the 8th?

Baghdaddy | 10:19 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008

Take it from someone who knows. As an LDS serviceman living here in Baghdad, I have observed that most of the people are peaceful and peace loving individuals. Living here is now for them like living in Chicago in the 1920's. The "gangs" who are violently fighting for power are no different than the Mafiosi of that era. They are not even "fundamentalists", they are just thugs. The average citizen lives in fear that they will be forced out of their home, or killed by a someone who doesn't like them because of their particular religious affiliation (Shia vs. Sunni). The good news is that it IS getting better, because the Iraqi Security Forces are getting stronger, braver, and better organized.

Rather than vilify the good people who live around us in the world, we should pray for them, that their lives might find peace. For those above with positive comments, you are the salt of the earth. For the whiners and cryers and haters above, "it had been better that a millstone...."

MAJ MLL
US Army
Baghdad

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