to fast during Ramadan even though I'm not a Muslim...

[MrsStrawberry]

Not Muslim, or even religious at all in general. Have many Muslim friends and whilst never tempted to take part before have recently been looking into it more and like the idea behind it... But don't want to mention it to anyone as I think I sound like a pretentious twat

[EhricLovesTheBhrothers]

I've never met a Muslim who would hoot with laughter at the idea of a non Muslim trying Ramadan. I have only ever beenet with positivity and encouragement.
It's not patronising or offensive to try fasting during Ramadan in my view. And to answer why not fast any other time of the year - part of the Ramadan experience is sharing it with others. Fasting on your own is sad.

[Fleecyleesy]

I think it's a very odd choice to make OP. Fasting isn't healthy anyway.

It would be OK if you worked in a small office where everyone was fasting apart from you - then I can see it would be a reasonable choice for you to make.

[buffyp]

Christmas IS a Christian celebration whether you like it or not. Try looking at the meaning of the word. Pagans or the Romans did not or do not celebrate the birth of Jesus. Clue is in the name. Sure some of the secular aspects that have drifted into the modern day Christmas celebrations may be pagan in origin and the time of year may coincide but Christians focus on the birth of Christ which most definitely not pagan.

[hackmum]

OP, it's entirely up to you what you do.

I'm not sure the health benefits of fasting are all you imagine them to be, though - it's not clear-cut.

[CalleighDoodle]

Not rtf but i cant see why not. It is the longest in 20odd years. Long days too. It why not? It will help understand the difficulties

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Sunday is the longest day of the year so Ramadan is tough this year. DH and DS1 are fasting and I will fast on the weekend with them although I am not Muslim, just to give DS1 some moral support. However, because of the medication I take I will drink water as it makes me feel very thirsty.

I think DH and his family would be very welcoming to anyone trying to fast.

[alrayyan]

Lucky MN has such world class authorities who dictate whether people can fast or not depending on the dimensions of their workplace.

This is why people on a parenting forum shouldn't go further than paying for seats on planes and what constitutes a healthy lunchbox.

[Fleecyleesy]

Alrayyan - your comment (9.51am) is rude.

Nobody is dictating what the OP can or can't do - they are giving their own opinions which is actually what the OP was after - a range of opinions.

For you to dismiss "people on a parenting forum" as people who should only be concerned with trivialities is breathtakingly arrogant. There are a lot of intelligent, accomplished people on here and also important public figures. There are a lot of ordinary people as well. We are all allowed our opinions.

[WorraLiberty]

Fleecy if you think that one was rude, check out her post at 06:20:03

'Tolerance and thoughtfulness' my arse.

You couldn't make it up

[oneofthosenicemuslims2015]

As far as I can see OP all Muslims on the thread, people who have Muslim family members and people who know lots of Muslims have all said go for it.
Some posters of other faiths or none have said you are being pretentious.
Except some dodgy Muslim friend of a pp. She can just shut up.

Go for it!

I'm not fasting this year as I'm bf. So will be making it up all on my lonesome sometime next year!

[alrayyan]

It irritates me that people act as if they know everything when, about some things, they don't. Make passive aggressive smileys all you like, it won't hurt me. What does hurt me is people hooting with laughter at people who don't deserve it and making pathetic judgements based on no experience.

[alrayyan]

Also. just because someone posts on the site every 15 minutes 24 hours a day 7 days a week, it doesn't mean that their words are law or their smileys any more passive aggressively damning. Less so if anything. because you couldn't make that up.

[WorraLiberty]

Yeah because you're not judging anyone are you alrayyan?

[oneofthosenicemuslims2015]

pyjamas

Don't let the fuckers get you down! !

[SaucyJack]

I don't see why not give it a go if you think you'll benefit from it?

It's not much different to a 16/8 diet which many people thrive on.

I'm not religious or spiritual at all, but I feel better and more focused mentally when I don't spend all day eating.

[alrayyan]

Oh I am. but not Muslims or Christians or any e else who lives and let's live. I judge bullying and belittling and hooting at innocent people. I also judge adults who need to use emoticons to pick at people.

[oneofthosenicemuslims2015]

Wait I retract my swearing it is Ramadan after all

[WorraLiberty]

Well you carry on with your 'Tolerance and thoughtfulness'

You're doing a cracking job

[alrayyan]

Have a nice day. On Mumsnet. All day. Every day.

[IPityThePontipines]

I'm Muslim and I don't see anything pretentious about it, there are plenty of things people do "for the experience", why is this any different?

I think you've had a rough time here, OP. Unfortunately, certain subjects produce rather inexplicable reactions on here.

[Isetan]

The Op is an adult for Christ's sake crying out loud. I do not get the impression that she's going to willingly endanger her health. The act of fasting during Ramadan is practiced by billions, for thousands of years and the many exemptions i.e. pre pubescent children, ill health, pregnancy are in place, precisely to prevent unnecessary hardship.

[Splitpeas]

Alrayyan is spot on!

Nothing pretentious about fasting during ramadan, muslim or not.

Go for it mrsstrawberry!!

[LurkingHusband]

Didn't Boris Johnson (let's just pause for a second. Boris Johnson ) suggest that instead of carping, non-Muslims should pop round to their Muslim neighbours during Ramadan for the breaking of the fast. Try and learn, rather than enjoy ignorance.

Certainly one of the reasons I have him marked as less buffoonish than he seems.

When I was asking questions of a Muslim friend, years ago, he claimed Ramadan was good for your health, stating "Islam is a very scientific religion.".

[purdiepie]

I cannot help it: Allrayan, you are brilliant! Your last few posts must've smarted like fuck.

[alrayyan]

I don't want to be nasty but I am sick to death of this forum being so predictably bitchy which is ok if you are one of the over investors and not if you are just a lone person naively asking a question. What other website (especially one pretending to be by women for women) would one be called a paedophile because of bikini line trimming etc etc. And the same old names jump on every thread in the first three seconds with their pathetic sceptical faces. you are either a troll or stupid they suggest with their childish emoticons. Muslims are insulted for many things that are not exclusive to Islam and that's ok because they know everything about religion women and the world generally. I am absolutely sick of it and.once spent a day in tears after being called names after innocently owning up to bikini laser. I am really not such a nasty person but I do feel it's time the bullies and haters were removed.