‘Others shouldn’t have to suffer for our sacrifice’

“The very purpose of Fasting is misunderstood by the people who claim that eating in public is disrespectful or the non-Muslims and children should suffer when in public.
The main purpose of fasting is NOT "about suffering with hunger and tiredness, to appreciate food and health and to be thankful to Allah for all that He has given us."

The main purpose of Fasting is to acquire Taqwah. Taqwah is to abstain from all sins and making efforts towards practicing Islam sincerely, that is, worship of Allah and doing good for the sake of Allah knowing that Allah is watching you. It is to instill sincerity in one's heart for ones Creator. Its to cultivate extreme love for Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) in one's heart so that their teaching takes precedence over everything else, in our lives.

Anyone who can understand and realize that will not care who is eating or drinking in front of them. Their deeds (fasting and worship) is for Allah Alone and it does not bother them what others do around them.”

“@Gavtek .. I'm delighted to know that someone actually know how we Muslims in my beloved city (KL) are doing it. Personally I feel life should go on as usual in Ramadan, it's just that we won't be eating during the day - hence the challenge. Otherwise, what's the point really?”

“Sad that this happens in some Muslim countries. There are people who are not required to fast and provisions should be made for them. They should not have to crawl away and hide. Only sane adult Muslims are required to fast. People who are sick or traveling are permitted to break their fast as long as the missed days are made up as soon as possible before the next Ramadan. Children are not required to fast. As far as eating in public, I was born and grew up in America and fasting while other people around me are eating is just part of the routine. I look at it as one of the ways that Allah tests us in this world. As Muslims, we should be able to be patient and be strong enouogh not to be tempted by food and drink when we are fasting.”

“To all non-Muslim who don't agree with this decree, not eating in front of a fasting or starving person, for that matter, is just common curtsey and showing humanity to those people. I don't believe that not being allowed to eat in public can be construed as suffering. I don't think you truly know what suffering is. If non-Muslims have a problem with showing respect and curtesy to others, they should not come to the UAE; accept and respect the traditions and customs of this country. I was born and raised in Germany and lived there most of my life, and even there where no should care and can do what they please, friends and acquaintances would show me the respect to at least ask me if it is ok to eat in front of me while fasting.

Like JosieZA wrote, kids can eat freely, and not only them, also the sick or the pregnant, and mall employees are no authority to take serious only listen to the real authority which is the police in this case and they won't interfere in a child eating.”

“@Josie: best way is to confront and raise your tone of voice with these ignorant employees. they will backdown quickly.”

“As an adult I have no issues with not eating or drinking in public during Ramadan. However I get annoyed with over eager employees of the malls yelling at me when my children are having a snack or a drink - they are all under 8 years of age. I have lived in Dubai for awhile now and have read numerous articles stating that children are not included in the no eating and drinking in public rule during Ramadan. I pick a quiet spot in the malls and let them eat discreetly. However these over eager or rather uninformed employees will always direct us to a toilet. I refuse to consume any food or beverage inside a toilet stall, it is unhygienic. Please could the people responsible for these employees take the time to educate them.”

“if there is no food in sight-of course there is no temptation, if there is food in sight- then there is temptation.-which one would you pray for?? keeping you away from temptation... it really makes no point for even the non-fasting ppl to go through this. Honestly, i think everybody should be treated fairly-to which they are not. What else can be said!”

“Each country has it's own laws, and while I don't fully agree with this one, it should be respected”

“Go to other Muslim cities like Istanbul or Kuala Lumpur, there are no such restrictions either. I guess they just don't like the challenge in this part of the world.”