AIBU to think friend’s question was fair?

[Luluandkirk]

Last night I went to a languages night at a local bar (everyone wears tags with what languages you speak so you can practice & socialise).

My friend and I ended up chatting to 2 guys from Qatar who were just in the bar, not for the language night. So asked what languages they speak and they said Arabic and then said we are Muslim. My friend asked if they were practicing Muslims and one of the guys asked why. My friend kind of dodged a reply and tried to change the subject but he asked why she asked if they were practicing and persisted on the question. My friend said something like ‘oh I just wondered because you are drinking’ (alcohol)

He got really offended so I tried to back my friend up and said that well I was raised catholic but I’m no longer practicing, some people aren’t. The conversation moved on and it was all friendly in the end.

AIBU to think that while the awkward moment probably could’ve been avoided, my friend was just asking questions to get to know them? To clarify, she was absolutely not judging them for drinking but they were in fact drinking so it was a fair enough question. Not everyone raised in a religion do practice it continually and that is perfectly fine. As I said we continued chatting and it was all friendly but I think it played on her mind a bit.

It was inappropriate and very tactless.
It was none of your friend’s business. She didn’t know them. (Catholic here, not practicing).

A perfectly reasonable question.

There is an old fashioned saying that in social situations it is impolite to talk about money, religion and politics. I think there is a lot of value in that. They are all subjects that can be divisive. Why bother delving into subjects that can be contentious when there is everything else on the earth to talk about?

I don't mean never, just save it for when you know people fairly well and know they are ok with open exchanges about those subjects.

Well I've known quite a few that do drink.

I know many Muslims, and they all vary in terms of how they practice. Many Muslims drink alcohol and go to bars and pubs. It really isn’t an all or nothing religion.

So you think it’s acceptable to question someone who you just met on their religion and the extent to which they practice. Do you ask people about their race as soon as you meet them? Or their political beliefs? Or is that extent of questioning for strangers only permitted for Muslims.

Funnily enough, not all Muslims are the same.

Awkward imo

Like, so what he isnt a perfect Muslim

Reasonable question to ask when they offered up their religion. None of the Muslims I know drink alcohol and it’s widely known that as a religion it’s not allowed so I don’t see what the problem is.

More overreaction.

There is nothing disrespectful going on here.

They were having a chat in a bar and this person was just curious and asked a candid question.

Now everyone is piling up to suggest there was a malicious intent and the OP's friend was purposely being rude/judgemental and more.

Which I personally think is ridiculous.

You think it's ridiculous because you are apparently as devoid of good manners as the OP and her friend.

That doesn't mean that you're right.

It must be exhausting, and frankly rather sad, to try so hard to find something to be offended by.

They brought religion into the conversation and the OP's friend asked a perfectly logical follow up question. Big deal...

because why mention it then? seems an od thing to say at a bar.

How many Muslims do you know well??? There are many people who identify as Muslim but eat bacon, drink alcohol and dare I say it, even gay. Doesn't mean they think they're not Muslim. You might think they're not, other Muslims might not think they are, but they do.

I’d love to see them go to a Muslim country and consume pork and be open about their sexuality. We all know it would never happen because their religion forbids it so they are not Muslim.

It’s not about ‘being’ Muslim, it’s about whether you’re a practising muslim.
All those you describe are not ‘practising’, albeit they consider themselves Muslim.