Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is using the month of Ramadan simply to fast without following Islam a form of cultural (religious?) appropriation?
I’ve seen non-Muslims do this and it strikes me as offensive.

And yes I know in Muslim majority countries some non-Muslims may fast for a number of reasons but my thought above is asking how fasting by non-Muslims in the US should be categorized.

Are you Muslim? I am and am not offended in the slightest. In fact I find it beautiful that someone would be so interested in wanting to understand my experience like that.
I have not heard of any non-Muslim fasting for the entire month, but have heard and know people who will try it for a day or few days.

The non-Muslims I’ve met who do this brag about fasting and often say that they use the month of fasting to cleanse or lose weight. Of dozens, I’ve never ran into one who says they are doing it for the purposes prescribed in Islam.

I have never heard of this...people who are not Muslim participate in fasting during Ramadan for the purposes of losing weight? Who and where are these people?
Very strange, but still not really cultural appropriation, especially since they aren't claiming to do it for the religious or spiritually purposes that Ramadan is about.

I work with some. They tie their fasting to Ramadan but do it for their own needs, not those prescribed under the faith. I think it is appropriation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is using the month of Ramadan simply to fast without following Islam a form of cultural (religious?) appropriation?
I’ve seen non-Muslims do this and it strikes me as offensive.

And yes I know in Muslim majority countries some non-Muslims may fast for a number of reasons but my thought above is asking how fasting by non-Muslims in the US should be categorized.

Are you Muslim? I am and am not offended in the slightest. In fact I find it beautiful that someone would be so interested in wanting to understand my experience like that.
I have not heard of any non-Muslim fasting for the entire month, but have heard and know people who will try it for a day or few days.

The non-Muslims I’ve met who do this brag about fasting and often say that they use the month of fasting to cleanse or lose weight. Of dozens, I’ve never ran into one who says they are doing it for the purposes prescribed in Islam.

I have never heard of this...people who are not Muslim participate in fasting during Ramadan for the purposes of losing weight? Who and where are these people?
Very strange, but still not really cultural appropriation, especially since they aren't claiming to do it for the religious or spiritually purposes that Ramadan is about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is using the month of Ramadan simply to fast without following Islam a form of cultural (religious?) appropriation?
I’ve seen non-Muslims do this and it strikes me as offensive.

And yes I know in Muslim majority countries some non-Muslims may fast for a number of reasons but my thought above is asking how fasting by non-Muslims in the US should be categorized.

Are you Muslim? I am and am not offended in the slightest. In fact I find it beautiful that someone would be so interested in wanting to understand my experience like that.
I have not heard of any non-Muslim fasting for the entire month, but have heard and know people who will try it for a day or few days.

The non-Muslims I’ve met who do this brag about fasting and often say that they use the month of fasting to cleanse or lose weight. Of dozens, I’ve never ran into one who says they are doing it for the purposes prescribed in Islam.

I start weaning myself down to one cup of caffeine a day about a month before Ramadan starts. Then I have one cup of tea at suhoor and lots of water. Sometimes I take a preemptive Tylenol for any headaches that might occur, especially in the first few days. At day 13 now, I’m good with my one cup in the morning. DH on the other hand has a small cup at suhoor and another one at iftar. Ramadan Kareem!

Anonymous wrote:In Kuwait we did not drink water or chew gum during fasting time. Interestingly, menstruating women were not supposed to fast.

Muslim PP here again -

Yes, if you are menstruating, pregnant, breast-feeding, sick, or chronically ill (diabetes, others), too young or old, then you are not required to fast. It is not supposed to cause harm in any way!

Also, it is more than just about abstaining from food/drink. The point of fasting is also to focus on becoming a better person overall - it's a big time to focus on charity and helping those less fortunate, and to also pay close attention to not being impatient, get angry, gossip, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Is using the month of Ramadan simply to fast without following Islam a form of cultural (religious?) appropriation?
I’ve seen non-Muslims do this and it strikes me as offensive.

And yes I know in Muslim majority countries some non-Muslims may fast for a number of reasons but my thought above is asking how fasting by non-Muslims in the US should be categorized.

Are you Muslim? I am and am not offended in the slightest. In fact I find it beautiful that someone would be so interested in wanting to understand my experience like that.
I have not heard of any non-Muslim fasting for the entire month, but have heard and know people who will try it for a day or few days.