I wonder the same thing as you! I lived in Indonesia for years, and found their religious sacrifices amazing. They truly practiced self-control, sacrifice, and discipline. Everything around them remained open as usual, and it was up to THEM to deny themselves, and focus on god. Here, and in Saudi Arabia, it is not really fasting- things just aren't available!! There is no sacrifice if you are not denying yourself. My cook in Indonesia told me "devout Muslims can sit at a feast and deny themselves food, turning their thoughts to god instead".She would have me taste food she was preparing for my family, to check for seasoning, as she was fasting. Yet she prepared 3 meals a day for my children and I. THAT is what Ramadan is about. Not silly laws which prevent everyone from eating, Muslim or not. If you lived in the US, would the government make you eat a lovely ham dinner and celebrate EAster? ha.
I wonder the same thing as you! I lived in Indonesia for years, and found their religious sacrifices amazing. They truly practiced self-control, sacrifice, and discipline. Everything around them remained open as usual, and it was up to THEM to deny themselves, and focus on god. Here, and in Saudi Arabia, it is not really fasting- things just aren't available!! There is no sacrifice if you are not denying yourself. My cook in Indonesia told me "devout Muslims can sit at a feast and deny themselves food, turning their thoughts to god instead".She would have me taste food she was preparing for my family, to check for seasoning, as she was fasting. Yet she prepared 3 meals a day for my children and I. THAT is what Ramadan is about. Not silly laws which prevent everyone from eating, Muslim or not. If you lived in the US, would the government make you eat a lovely ham dinner and celebrate EAster? ha.