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| Public Fast Breaking Protest during Ramadan in Morocco |
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 Moroccan authorities reported that a group of Moroccan protesters will be brought to justice for "incitement to break the fast in public" during Ramadan. The group of protesters, that included a “journal Hebodomadaire” reporter Ms. Zineb Elghzaoui, had attempted to organize Sunday afternoon a rally in Mohammedia (a city near Casablanca) to “publically break their Ramadan fast” to protest against a "law punishing the non-observance of fasting during Ramadan in Morocco". The Moroccan official agency MAP said on Monday that local authorities "have managed Sunday to defeat an attempted rally that was to be followed by a public rupture of fasting for the repeal of a penal code that forbids public eating during Ramadan". This is the first time in Morocco that a group of "non-fasters" appears in public to protest against the current law and call for the right not to practice Ramadan in public, observers note. The protesters want the abolishment of a Moroccan law that "punishes every Muslim openly breaking the fast of Ramadan, before the “iftar” meal which marks the end of daylight. This attempt to breakfast in public has been initiated by the Movement for alternative defense of individual liberties" a newly formed association that was previously unknown to authorities. The local branch of the Moroccan Council of Ulema (theologians), has denounced the action of the protesters describing them as "agitators". It is an "abhorrent act that defies the teachings of God” and deserving of “serious sanction" say the theologians in a published statement. The local branch of the Moroccan Council of Ulema (theologians), has denounced the action of the protesters describing them as "agitators". It is an "abhorrent act that defies the teachings of God” and deserving of “serious sanction" say the theologians in a published statement. During the month of Ramadan, Muslim believers are supposed to abstain from drinking, eating, smoking and sexual intercourse from sunrise to sunset. Morocco does not usually enforce the public eating ban in areas frequented tourists. However, In addition to the law, there is strong social pressure against public eating by anyone who is perceived to be Muslim Born.
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salma
said:
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hile MoroccoBoard.com encourages discussion on all subjects, including sensitive ones, the comments posted are solely the views of those submitting them. MoroccoBoard.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with the ideas, views, or opinions voiced in these comments. This is a moderated forum. Comments deemed abusive, offensive, or those containing profanity may not be published.
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forgiveness Let's forgive not punish. Let's love not persecute. let's give a hand to those in need. Lighten up my way, show me what's true or wrong.... |
Michelle Dandane
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... "The excess of burden is laughable... The protesters can't handle not to eat and smoke in public during Ramadan, but they can handle corruption,segregation and social injustice for 365 days a year. But just like in the animal kingdom, the belly has a louder voice in Morocco. The Moroccans are still obsessed with the first stage of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. (Belly + sex organ) You are not supposed to eat in public, just like you are not supposed to take corruption in public, because both acts do/should provoke the Muslim. I wish the Moroccans could react with the same passion, towards the injustice taking place 365 days a year, like retaliating to sexual harassment, or to an adult beating the hell out of a child, or a policeman humiliating a citizen instead of serving him. The purpose of Ramadan is to change the individual for the better for the rest of the year, its meaning is way deeper than chewing shebbakia, or holding a coffee nos-nos while facing tv. The truth is Out there...Get out of your belly ! Peace. " Why are you making broad based assumptions about a group you obviously know nothing about? Here are the statements on MALI's facebook page (loosly translated from French): " All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights" - the first article of the Universal declaration of the Rights of people in Morocco. More than in the other States, the defense of our individual freedoms is needed. Abuses of power, socioreligious enquiry, intolerance, abuse of legal texts, choke our fundamental freedoms. For where importance of a reciprocating motion for Individual freedoms: MALI. Our priorities: - Personal freedom: right to exist (prohibition of the capital punishment), physical freedom (to move freely), right to the physical integrity (prohibition of torture), right to the psychic integrity (right to carry out a life which makes it possible to open out). - Freedom of conscience and freedom of worship: each one can practise the religion of his choice or practice any of it. - Freedom of thought: each one can express orally or written what he thinks or believes being the truth. Freedom in Morocco is far from being reached, its safeguarding or its reconquest is a daily battle. Neither the official institutions, nor the politicians must decide in your place. We want an organization which respects the diversity of mankind. To make this a reality, your voice should be high enough to impose your personal choice and oppose the laws and practices to freedom. It is the goal of MALI. We need each of you for changing attitudes. Hopefully you can see that eating during Ramadan is only one small issue for this group. Their goal for human rights is much larger and more honorable than that. They decided to start small and look at the reaction - imagine the reaction if they actually protested something larger than eating a sandwhich in the woods during Ramadan. Insha'allah they will continue their fight for human rights and the freedom of religion. |
haas
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Let it go guys I am neither for or against those who want to eat in public during Ramadan because, plain and simple, it's not my business. If I was there and saw them, I would just walk away. What I can say is that if a small number (or big number for that matter) decided to express themselves to grab the attention to their cause, I would say let them have it and move on, but by publishing articles and having an intense debate about it, I would say they achieved their goal. So bravo. I believe in freedom, and no one should tell me whether I should fast or not, it's my life and it's my choice. So let them be free to express themselves. I am fasting for me and for Allah. And no one else. Eid Moubarak. Hassan |
Rachid146
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http://inspirationwriting.blogspot.com There are many restaurants here in Morocco opened for Moroccans and non-Moroccans who want to eat, and no one have ever attacked them or killed them. But, anyone who wants to eat during Ramadan, he just respect the feelings of this majority who're fasting:http://inspirationwriting.blogspot.com/2009/09/non-fasters-and-public-break-fast-in.html |
Forward
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Wa Jadilohom bilati hiya ahssan... hayounikhalid, You sound like a true terrorizing mouth. There is too much death threats and execution in your message. People like you make Islam like a scary blood cult, you live among the "infidels", eat their food and wear their clothes, yet you want to speak on behalf of the 30 million Moroccans back home. I think you need a vacation. There has always been disbelievers among people born in Muslim lands,for centuries. Threats don't convince a person to change his mind (on the contrary) but communication does. So wise up, smell the 21th. Peace. |
Macadamia
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LAW + ORDER + JUSTICE = stability, happiness, prosperity I am glad some of us took the time to answer Mr hayounikhalid. His lack of knowledge about Islam and support for ignorance and extremism was very shocking to say the least. Mr Forward, I think you are only looking at one side of the coin. I too disagree with the insensitive behavior of "Wakaleen Ramdan in public" toward their fellow fasting Muslims. However, I question the wisdom behind punishing them. First, I hope they are only punished for eating in public and not because they are breaking one of the pillars of Islam. Allah the most just is forgiver and the punisher. So in this case, we can safely say that these few individuals got in trouble for their insensitive and disrespectful behavior directed at the fasting majority. What about the other insensitive un-Islamic actions of the majority that occurs during Ramadan and outside Ramadan? For example: Short skirts, tight jeans, public intoxication, loud music, open bars, kissing in public, picking up women including motorists, etc. And we all know that these shortcomings are very negligible when compared with corruption in our society and government. If the law is to punish people for eating in public during Ramadan then it is to be consistent and punish for everything else. You want to instill “Al amrou bi al ma3rou wa A nahio 3ani al Mounkar”? come on, let’s do it. Does the law protect those who have a legitimate reason to eat in public? ie, Need to take medicine while on the train to work. 3. Does the law differentiate between K7el ras and Sfer ras? Why and Why not? My friends, the number one the most important factor in progress of nations lays in the balance and the wisdom of these three related elements: Prosperity = LAW + ORDER + JUSTICE In short, I disagree with behavior of the individuals in question but I am not sure the balance -in Law, Order, Justice- was achieved. Allah knows best. |
Moh. B.
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... the fellow who made a comment bellow, named hayouni khalid is what you would call a terrorist. If he is living in the US, the FBI should look him up. he probably represents some threat. Email: hayounikhalid@hotmail.com |
Osama
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... You want to kill everyone who does not believe in God? Dude, you sound worse than a terrorist, even Osama bin laden does not advocate killing non believers. God itself does not want you to kill those who do not believe. Remember persuasion? you probably have your own revealed Coran. That's a the reason why the west is scared of Islam, because they are people who who want to terrorize the the whole world in the name of Islam. Radicals like you make Israel look pretty good by comparison no wonder no one sympathize with even those who has nothing to do with you fundamentalist ideas. |
Forward
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Belly Revolution The excess of burden is laughable... The protesters can't handle not to eat and smoke in public during Ramadan, but they can handle corruption,segregation and social injustice for 365 days a year. But just like in the animal kingdom, the belly has a louder voice in Morocco. The Moroccans are still obsessed with the first stage of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. (Belly + sex organ) You are not supposed to eat in public, just like you are not supposed to take corruption in public, because both acts do/should provoke the Muslim. I wish the Moroccans could react with the same passion, towards the injustice taking place 365 days a year, like retaliating to sexual harassment, or to an adult beating the hell out of a child, or a policeman humiliating a citizen instead of serving him. The purpose of Ramadan is to change the individual for the better for the rest of the year, its meaning is way deeper than chewing shebbakia, or holding a coffee nos-nos while facing tv. The truth is Out there...Get out of your belly ! Peace. |
hassaoun
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... some commentators seems to support this action. why don't you say something about the people arrested for public drunkenness in the US.. its seems to suit everybody because it's the law... why don't just respect a law supported by all morrocans or is it just because six people don't like it. Should we accommodate them and the hell with the 33 millions others?.. have some common sense people. that's what democracy is all about.. bidding by the will of the majority, isn't it? |
nabilino
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... The majority of the population supports this step by authorities. If a few "educated" "stuck up" people don't, then leave |
latifa usa
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... I am so glad that someone is trying to make a difference, why do we all have to fast. we need to have some choices in life. |
hayounikhalid
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ramadan When I read the comments, I recall the times when i was a child learning to fast. The first day I fasted was a great event and everybody around was just proud of me. The feeling then was unforgettable. This special event was and still is celebrated in all Morococcan families. Our role is to keep this rite going on in the future. There is a bundle of valueless people who try to spoil Ramadan and its rituals. I just can't sqpeak about them. |
Noy just Ramadan
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... I don't get this-there is much more disrespect that goes on in Morocco on daily basis that no one mentions here, and we are only focusing on Ramadan. I was in Morocco last summer (and not going back anytime soon) and what I witnessed there from women walking around half naked to drugs sold everywhere (worst than any town the States), is beyond disrepectful. Eating during Ramadan is one of many things that are simply wrong in a coutry we love! |
the maure
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... The level of rhetoric of some comments is very troubling. Why some moroccans still use the example of if your mother... your sister did that or that what would you do, as if trying to intimidate others and shut them off. For example Bousati is full of wisdom and dares to ask some very troubling questions "If your mother is fasting, how would you be feeling eating Ramadan in front her? If your sister brings someone home and close the door behind them during day time of ramadan, are you going to tell me that's freedom. " I am asking you Bousati tell us what would you do it was your mother and sister. Just curious But I can guess if you "eat Ramadan" in front of your mother you will be full of shame and might think of punishing yourself by fasting another day or two If your sister brings someone home and closes the door, I would guess that is not the first time, and you will probably do nothing. If that is not the answer let us know Bousati but I am fed up with comments trying to shut others point of view. |
salih
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moderate my eye when you proclaim that Morocco is a "moderate","democratic" country where everyone is "free to practice their religion", How can you force people to hide at home and eat? for the earlier extremist commentators that live in this country, how come you are not shocked and alarmed and hurt when you see people in the US eat outside. no one has ever said that Ramadan in the Us is impossible because people eat outside. why Morocco? why force people to hide and lie and be hypocrites? Listen! there is no 5 choices. a country is either democratic, respects freedom of religion or not. all this business of " we are all Muslims" does not fly. Who told you the "we are all Muslims" the only reason you do not see more people say it openly is because they are afraid .... of their fellow "peaceful and moderate" Muslims |
Bousati
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... eating in public is not about freedom. it's about pissing people off. We need to keep in mind that is Morocco not Sweden. We are muslims and we need to show respect to our traditions. If your mother is fasting, how would you be feeling eating Ramadan in front her? If your sister brings someone home and close the door behind them during day time of ramadan, are you going to tell me that's freedom. How about getting a job and mshiw i3arriw 3la ktafhoum? |
Macadamia
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... This is a clear indication about the Randomness of our laws stemming from the hypocritical religiosity of our society. "أَفَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِبَعْضِ الْكِتَابِ وَتَكْفُرُونَ بِبَعْضٍ" Bakara 85. |
the maure
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... Hold on, these guys are just trying to bring to public attention a law that seems to infringe on individual liberties. I don't believe they are doing it just to defy the muslim community. If we accept that anybody who is seen eating before the break is reported to authorities. The next thing would be enforcing the 5 prayers a day. Look Moroccans have to mature a bit it is not just making sure that your neighbor will share paradise virgins with you that matters. It is living freely now and here, that is the priority. Fasting or praying or any other religious rite are private matters and the state has no business dealing with. Perhaps the oulemas should have a round table about Bars that miraculously vanish during Ramadan and open thereafter, talk about hypocrisy. Or perhaps they should discuss the role of the state in reducing poverty and prostitution as a duty of every muslim by giving zakat to provide for the growing number of this class in Morocco. Using zakat to reduce poverty, now that would be something to make proud of being muslim. |
larbi
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... I applaud these young folks for defying a hypocritical societal order. The religion is a personnel matter,when I am fasting it is between me and my Creator, I do not concern myself with other people. Were are the tolerance and the acceptance of the difference? No wonder we reverted from a Golden Age to a Dark Age, from inventions to destructions. Sadly you are right my brother we are far from thinking freely. " capital punishment","bride in prison","broom to the sea","eat in hiding". Islam is a religion of acceptance and compassion, not hate and despite. Clean, loving thoughts are a Fareda in this Sacred Month. Tabark Allah 3ala duk chuban that had the sincerity to express their opinion in public, that will help keep the Talibans away! M'barek mes3ud wa Ramdan karim. |
hayounikhalid
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... I am speechless at what I am reading. this is unprecedented. Really, I wonder what other weird things are going to happen in Morocco. We must reintroduce capital punishment in Morocco, and see if any behavior like this will be recurrent. |
babousha
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... This is exactly why we can never have freedom in Morocco. The authorities know before hand that for some Moroccans, you give them a finger they want your hand. Stupidities like these give the authorities a pretext to keep you under the sbbat. Let's be honest, we are simply not mature enough to deserve more freedom. No one stops these people from breaking their fast inside their homes, to be provocative in this matter is idiotic. |
bsila ou mitisha
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... The way I see it is that Ramadan is beautiful time period when decent Moroccans come to their senses and try to help and respect one another. Ramadan is the time when the whole family gathers around something that everyone enjoys: AL HARIRA. When this shitheads try to destroy this beautiful thing in the name of freedom, that's ignorance. They will need that freedom badly when they turn them into brides in the Sale' prison. God Bless, Happy Ramadan! |
nabilino
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... besides being disrespectful to Islam and to Muslims, this initiative is very rude and non tolerant. It shows hate and inability to understand the other. I suggest that if this group doesn't want to obey the rule, they can always leave and live in a non Muslim Country. "with the brum and water all the way to the sea" hehe Bye bye |
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