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See the original image at boston.com —

Observing Ramadan [PICS]

boston.com — Muslim faithful throughout the world are currently observing the holy month of Ramadan. Observant Muslims participate in fasting (sawm), one of the five pillars of their faith, this entire Lunar month (this year it extends from September 1st to the 30th). Eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity is prohibited from dawn until sunset

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  • dstz, on 09/19/2008, -11/+220All those pics are beautiful, some are stunning.
    • damack, on 09/20/2008, -0/+16Some of the food looks amazing when they can cook that well it makes you wonder how they fast!

      I looked up the mosque in the fourth picture after seeing those amazing pillars, what I found is amazing I though I'd share it, the mosque is apparently the largest in Asia:

      http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6 ...
    • zip000, on 09/20/2008, -1/+6The food did look amazing, I was salivating over what I thought was some sort of giant funnel cake, then read the caption describing it as "sweat meat"....ewww.

      (Maybe not actually gross, but seems kinda gross.)
      • meirav, on 09/20/2008, -0/+15I think the person writing the caption meant to say "sweetmeats," not "sweet meats." These are confections made with a lot of sugar.

        http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sweetmeats? ...
      • BoonTobias, on 09/20/2008, -1/+8that one (#17) is known as "Jilapi" and let me tell you, there's no dessert better in the western world
      • impedance101, on 09/20/2008, -0/+6You mean Jalebi, but still, those were gigantic !! I wish someone knew how to make those here that didn't cost $5 a piece
      • mbm985, on 09/20/2008, -0/+5Jalebi is AMAZING!!! I love it so much. I'm gonna go get some for my iftar right now.
      • iofthestorm, on 09/20/2008, -0/+4@impedance and mbm: The picture is from Bangladesh, and there we call it Jilapi.
    • jetboyterp, on 09/20/2008, -35/+5I guess this is what they do when they're not hijacking planes and strapping on explosives...
      • waydee, on 09/20/2008, -1/+26Yeah I heard the Christians bake a pretty good cake when they're not out shooting civilians in Iraq.

        Get a grip.
      • persianpeace, on 09/20/2008, -0/+9All those explosives are being built in your country! Bush = biggest sponsor of terrorism!
      • jetboyterp, on 09/20/2008, -10/+1@ waydee...

        Yeah, right. Did I miss the letter from my Catholic parish about joining other Christians to go pop some Iraqi civilians? Must have...

        @ persianpeace...

        That idiotic statement isn't even worthy of any reply.
      • waydee, on 09/20/2008, -0/+6You fail to understand the statement jetboyterp, you accuse a religion of anything up to 1.8 billion people of solely being suicide bombers and hijackers yet cannot understand the ignorance of your own statement when someone makes a similar comment about the members of a different faith.

        Your own ignorant, bigoted logic used against you.
      • jetboyterp, on 09/20/2008, -7/+2@ waydee...

        Have you ever read through the Qu'ran? I've studied it Sura by Sura. There are two types of Muslims...the one's who believe Islam will dominate the world someday, maybe not in their lifetime.....And then there's the one's who believe Islam will dominate the world someday, and are trying to "push" it along quicker by doing Allah's work.

        When's the last time Christians hijacked airplanes and flew them like missiles into buildings?
      • Orath, on 09/21/2008, -0/+5What did you really understand from the Quraan if you came up with this conclusion!!! in fact what does the Quraan preach for is having a moderate view on issues. Not to mention, the text in Quraan is not even 100% understood by the Muslims them selves, often a meaning of a part of Sura gets another understanding by the Sheiks (Islamic Preachers, top religion studiers, etc) from each era depending on the background of that era. A huge misunderstood example is the following, People think the Quraan preach about spreading Islam by the Blade, which is wrong. Islam according to Quraan has to be spread by good example, and never use violence to spread it. What makes the confusion is a part of Sura requiring protection of Islam by the blade if necessary, and this teaching is always misinterpreted as spreading by the blade. You cant interpret the text literally, and this is 100% true for the Bible and Torah too.
      • Viend, on 09/21/2008, -0/+6When was the last time Muslims illegally invaded another country and caused the deaths of over a million people?
      • xJACKxx, on 09/21/2008, -4/+1@ Viend
        since when has it been legal or illegal to invade a country..alls fair in love and war...just stirring the pot.
  • Chebsi, on 09/19/2008, -14/+266You don't need to be a Muslim to appreciate the great photos in this submission.
    • CryRightardCry, on 09/19/2008, -28/+46No, but it's just a matter of time before the right wing scum gets in here and starts their ignorant racism.
      • DreadPirate, on 09/19/2008, -48/+15I can see that the left wing hypocritical scum have already arrived with your comment, though.
      • iseerightards, on 09/19/2008, -35/+10@dreadpirate
        LOL
        Really?
        What's the matter, rightard, did I blow it for you?
        Did I ruin your anti-muslim bigotry by telling people to expect it?

        No, that's not it.
        These pictures don't attract rightards because there's no dead muslims in them.
      • DreadPirate, on 09/19/2008, -23/+8Well well, I actually got a response from CRC/Mightydavefish. What's it take, CRC? Getting banned for the second time is what finally triggers your ability to respond, rather than running away like the coward you are?
      • AchaIemoipas, on 09/20/2008, -5/+13Nice of you to show everyone you have multiple accounts.
      • lex0nyc, on 09/20/2008, -16/+1Hmm... yes, but where is the picture of Obama?
      • Rotzooi, on 09/20/2008, -8/+5CRC, don't know why you are still being dugg down. It took 1hr37m for your prediction to come true. (See ortucis' reaction).

        The Digg fundies are racist trash.
      • TurboTex, on 09/20/2008, -1/+7Seriously? Left or Right shouldn't matter.. Your post is as ignorant as anything else.
      • citydragon, on 09/20/2008, -1/+7Islam is not a race.
      • ozydingo, on 09/20/2008, -2/+2Rotzooi, he is being dugg down, at least on my part, for the completely unnecessary flamebait, perhaps a little moreso for the stereotyping. He's trolling as much as they are, seemingly more obviously in this case because he's itching for a fight that simply needn't be instigated.
    • kingjam, on 09/20/2008, -53/+9looks like a bunch a terrorist.
      • burkay, on 09/20/2008, -4/+21Please remove the mirror in front of your screen.
      • kingjam, on 09/20/2008, -34/+3I dont get it... If I had a mirror I would have said..."damn look at that chick with her head on my chest sleeping while I digg early in the morning...i wonder what her name is?
      • burkay, on 09/20/2008, -1/+30So you woke up early in the morning and found a "chick" with her head on your chest whose name you don't even know, and all you could improvise is to log in to digg and leave unnecessary racist comments to a thread with religious content??? Congratulations.
      • kingjam, on 09/20/2008, -28/+2When she wakes I will be a gentlemen and take her to sonic and get some breakfast burritos.
      • bubba9999, on 09/20/2008, -1/+18What'd you do with her cane and dog?
      • kingjam, on 09/20/2008, -29/+2look dude I am up early trying to buy AC/DC tickets that go on sale in 1hr....and I am on this chicks 1998 laptop that sucks ass...i dont have time for your blind chick jokes
      • SolidSnake24, on 09/20/2008, -4/+13You're a John McCain supporter, that says it all
      • kingjam, on 09/20/2008, -23/+3I like Obama... its cool and trendy plus I love socialism! John McSame is a dumb ass.
      • m4design, on 09/21/2008, -1/+4looks like A bunch of A terrorist?

        I bet you it's not a typo it's plain stupidity, and you won't know why.
    • urik88, on 09/20/2008, -2/+11Indeed. No religion, ethnicity, or political beliefs should get in the way of art.
      • persianpeace, on 09/20/2008, -2/+5God loves art, God is an artist himself
      • xJACKxx, on 09/21/2008, -2/+1he said religion SHOULDN'T get in the way...sheesh
    • jweinraub, on 09/21/2008, -1/+3Exactly right, I am Jewish, been to Israel several times, and found these pictures to be fascinating.
    • Flashman, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2"great photos in this submission"

      The word 'Islam' means 'submission', so either that's a very subtle pun or I'm showing off how much more I know than the rest of you.
  • negrin, on 09/19/2008, -11/+139Ooh, some wicked good photography in there!

    Boston. com could do with a proofreader though:

    "A Muslim woman reads a copy of the korean."

    Kekeke.
    • Sabretou, on 09/20/2008, -1/+3Somebody at Boston is upto a conspiracy theory...
    • kelmaster1, on 09/20/2008, -0/+4Or "Man looks through telescope...", it's an EDM device.
    • Asianwaste, on 09/20/2008, -1/+3How many zerglings he can get in 5 minutes? That's a far more amazing miracle!
    • SirFink, on 09/23/2008, -1/+0ㅋㅋㅋ
  • ortucis, on 09/19/2008, -169/+26Are they also observing the millions of deaths their religion has caused? Or maybe there is a special day for those people?
    • Chronictrees, on 09/19/2008, -19/+104Heh, don't get started on Christianity.
    • 10lbhammer, on 09/19/2008, -9/+54boy, that didn't take long did it! like chronic said above me, don't think christians aren't at fault for their own set of atrocities...
      • ozydingo, on 09/20/2008, -4/+48"don't think christians aren't at fault for their own set of atrocities"
        They're not, and neither are Muslims at fault for the actions of a few extremists. Cool, now that that's settled, can we stop bickering now?
      • zigardne, on 09/20/2008, -14/+2Sorento: Ah, Hesus, I like him very much, but he no help hit curve ball.

        Harris: Are you trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curve ball?
      • xJACKxx, on 09/21/2008, -0/+5@ozydingo
        most well put comment in this entire page
    • ortucis, on 09/20/2008, -58/+10Christianity? Uhh, sure..

      Still, I am an agnostic atheist, can't give a ***** about religions and won't. I am just interested in watching how muslims take their time off and create (if they ever) a special day to pray for all those killed just because they were infidels.

      I mean I definitely don't give a ***** about how many times you bend over for you Allah, that's for sure.
      • MrChunks, on 09/20/2008, -2/+21agnostic atheist? commit to one or the other, dammit!
      • Racistman, on 09/20/2008, -2/+14Athiest or not being an uninformed jackass doesnt allow you to judge them
      • BoonTobias, on 09/20/2008, -11/+1just so you know, agnostic and atheist are the same *****, those who focus on the difference have missed the entire point
      • whodat807, on 09/20/2008, -2/+10BoonTobias: No, agnosticism and atheism are not the 'same *****.' Is knowing you have 10 dollars in your pocket the same as not knowing what whether or not you have anything in your pocket? Open a dictionary.
    • ufucuk, on 09/20/2008, -8/+30Why don't you talk about Christan mass murderers? Like bush! Killing muslims. I don't care about religions, but the truth is muslims and christians will never live in peace if you go on to vote for such dumb asses like bush. open your eyes Americans. They use you. All world can see it except you. your guns, your technology will be useless in 20 years. At least watch the movie zeitgeist. It will tell you the truth about Jesus and your country.
      • DonQueso, on 09/20/2008, -4/+3someone mentions that muslims have slaughtered many people, they get buried.

        someone mentions christians have done the same, they get dugg up.






      • thirty6chambers, on 09/20/2008, -2/+4Is it possible for you to not sound like a cliché?
    • SQLserver, on 09/20/2008, -22/+7Almost all religions suck.(Discluding Buddhism, Shinto, some minor religions, and non-religion of course)
      It's a close contest between Hindus, Muslims, and Christians for the worst, but all three are pretty close.
      • djoobacca, on 09/20/2008, -0/+5no. you suck.
      • MrChunks, on 09/20/2008, -0/+0Odinism and Asatru doesn't suck either.
      • charm803, on 09/20/2008, -0/+3Religion isn't the problem.

        The followers are, who decide how to interpret their words and at that, only a few of the followers are extreme. (Christian, Catholics and Muslims alike.)

      • amirman, on 09/22/2008, -1/+1hinduism is badass as far as religions go. i wouldn't even come close to comparing it with the big 3.
    • Revolution101, on 09/20/2008, -4/+61I'm a muslim, and I find people like you hilarious.
      I can't help but enjoy the fear you have of me and my people :)


      BOO!!
      • praisethelard, on 09/20/2008, -1/+8Holy *****, that Bert will haunt my dreams for years to come.
      • DPDish12, on 09/20/2008, -3/+4Lol....BOO!!

        ...LMAO!
      • mu1618, on 09/21/2008, -2/+1I think it's awesome and inspiring that you can take all this prejudice and turn it into the joke that it is. Good for you.
    • macweirdo42, on 09/20/2008, -6/+9Awww, there's nothing more precious than religious people talking about the stupidity of other religions.
    • jstem1994, on 09/20/2008, -6/+4Christmas?
    • windowi, on 09/20/2008, -1/+6way to be the biggest dick on the planet ... seriously.. congratulations
    • BSmeter, on 09/20/2008, -0/+9People like you is why this world is ***** up...Please don't breed.
    • Mortoman, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3You really have no idea what your talking about do you
  • petsheep, on 09/19/2008, -28/+52Salaam..Shalom...Shanti...Peace....Let It Be....Imagine
    • AerosolAssassin, on 09/20/2008, -1/+3Now I have the Beatles song stuck in my head...Let it be...
    • sampanc, on 09/20/2008, -0/+7Let's hold hands and sing Kumbaya!
  • uzusan, on 09/19/2008, -24/+11The thumbnail picture (especially when it is the smaller size on the main page) looks like the floor is made of dollars.
  • kpwells, on 09/19/2008, -9/+35☁ amazing pictures! ☁
  • Princeamor, on 09/19/2008, -56/+3Have you ever heard of an IIIII POOOOODDD???
  • n064, on 09/19/2008, -24/+131these pictures are beautiful they show how peaceful Islam really is, especially in the month of Ramadan.
    • Nhimrod, on 09/20/2008, -72/+12yea, such a peaceful religion. I hate how there are so many suicide christian bombers...oh wait...
      • jontando, on 09/20/2008, -8/+64Timothy McVeigh killed 168 people.

        He was a Roman Catholic.

        Or does he not count, since he wasn't a proper Christian?
      • ivansusanin, on 09/20/2008, -3/+24ted kaczynski
      • puncturevine, on 09/20/2008, -3/+39The entire catholic / protestant war that lasted decades in ireland......The inquisition...... George w Bush.
        You dont need to be a suicide bomber or a muslim to kill needlessly it seems
      • SQLserver, on 09/20/2008, -5/+58Ever heard of Joel's Army?
        The Spanish Inqusition?
        The Crusades?
        The countless European holy wars(against other christians, too!)
        Slavery?
        Anti-homosexual rights?
        The KKK?
        Brutally murdering abortion doctors?
        The Holocaust?

        Christianity has done some UGLY things....
      • ziyaad, on 09/20/2008, -3/+13***** you Nimrod
      • britblogger, on 09/20/2008, -3/+13I guess we shouldn't have expected anything more than an ignorant post like this from another ***** ignorant Yank. Oh, and a fat ***** Texan to boot. (no pun intended)
      • 032483, on 09/20/2008, -1/+13FAIL
      • buddypriefert, on 09/20/2008, -25/+1Let's see, they can only come up with a Timity McViegh (had nothing to do with killing in the name of Christ) and Ted Kaczynski (again, nothing to do with Christianity). The inquisistion? You mean something that happened 1,000 years ago?

        Mulsims commit more than 1,700 savage attacks each year. Reference below:
        http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/
      • CLShortFuse, on 09/20/2008, -1/+15"My feelings as a Christian points me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter. It points me to the man who once in loneliness, surrounded only by a few followers, recognized these Jews for what they were and summoned men to fight against them and who, God's truth! was greatest not as a sufferer but as a fighter. In boundless love as a Christian and as a man I read through the passage which tells us how the Lord at last rose in His might and seized the scourge to drive out of the Temple the brood of vipers and adders. How terrific was His fight for the world against the Jewish poison. To-day, after two thousand years, with deepest emotion I recognize more profoundly than ever before in the fact that it was for this that He had to shed His blood upon the Cross. As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice.... And if there is anything which could demonstrate that we are acting rightly it is the distress that daily grows. For as a Christian I have also a duty to my own people.... When I go out in the morning and see these men standing in their queues and look into their pinched faces, then I believe I would be no Christian, but a very devil if I felt no pity for them, if I did not, as did our Lord two thousand years ago, turn against those (the Jews) by whom to-day this poor people is plundered and exploited. "

        -Adolf Hitler
    • AllTooHuman, on 09/20/2008, -26/+18All religion is destructive.
      • bubba9999, on 09/20/2008, -2/+24People are destructive. Some use religion as an excuse.
      • AllTooHuman, on 09/20/2008, -2/+2I was not referring to car bombs or crusades when I said that religion is destructive.
    • zigardne, on 09/20/2008, -10/+32I couldn't fast all day for a month straight, that *****'s rough and takes way too much discipline. Santa Clause ftw.
      • 032483, on 09/20/2008, -7/+18From a former muslim, I have to say it WAS hard. Don't know why people are diggin you down. I'm sure most of them haven't fasted for a week let alone a month.
      • DocHoliday22, on 09/20/2008, -1/+15He's being dugg down by people who think his comment is offensive but I can't see how. It was just an opinion.
      • leexy, on 09/20/2008, -3/+5Two things: * Whether you engage in it or not, the difficulty of fasting for Ramadan hasn't changed just because you decided to leave the religion. So, it's not WAS but IS that's the appropriate term. * Santa's last name is "Claus", not "Clause". And I fail to see what it's got to do with anything here.
      • AbdullahAbuDawu, on 09/20/2008, -5/+10Fasting is easy for those who fear Allah and have piety.
      • bicyclethief, on 09/20/2008, -1/+13Hakeem Olajuwon fasted for a month WHILE playing in the NBA. That's yet even more impressive.
      • lemur, on 09/20/2008, -1/+10Yeah I have to say as someone who is currently fasting and has some experience, it's actually not difficult and I can't understand comments that suggest otherwise. For example the first day or two is somewhat of an adjustment so of course you get hungrier and more fatigued, but your body adjusts right away and it becomes business as usual.

        How you go about it makes a difference, which includes a) stay within the limits of the fast--don't extend it. Eat a HEALTHY meal immediately before and after each day, hydrate yourself every night. b) Don't cheat the fast. If you do something to get your body to expect food during the day, you're screwing yourself over again, which also includes finding excuses to skip some fasting days (there are of course valid reasons not to fast on a day, such as sickness). c) Attitude: if you just decide you're going to fast, then it requires little to no effort to maintain it because of conviction. You simply focus on other things during the day and forget about food, but if don't actually want to fast then you just make it difficult in your head.

        A lot of people lack any kind of discipline and willpower, and fasting is a reasonable practice to improve that. People who think fasting is too hard are like those people who can't quit smoking. I quit smoking, and I have to say that is the most trumped up BS that our culture babies people about. Get a grip!
      • slapsomecrap, on 09/20/2008, -0/+1You only have to fast while the sun is up. After it sets, it's fair game. The hardest part is not the eating but the drinking part. You get really thirsty and water isn't an option. After a while though, your body adjusts. The first couple days are the hardest.
      • Viend, on 09/20/2008, -0/+3I am fasting as I type and the only days I didn't fast were the days when I was ill. I play football for 1½ hours on a weekly basis and still do now in Ramadhan. It can be a challenge but it's not difficult once you get used to it.
      • hokeypokey500, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3I have to say, as I am a Muslim now, fasting gets much easier after the first few times. I think if you want to do it, and aren't doing it just because you have to, its not hard at all. I am able to play football (soccer) out in the heat for an hour and a half while fasting, and I wouldn't describe myself as an amazing athlete...
    • thunderclap, on 09/20/2008, -26/+6http://is.gd/2SN0 Islam is peaceful huh? Click that link to see how peaceful it is. They were an american couple at the Yemani embassy who can attend to the peacefulness of Islam during Ramadan.http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/17/africa/18ye ...
      http://www.thereligionofpeace.com Yes, after viewing these link I agree with you.
      • senatorpjt, on 09/20/2008, -1/+3You can be peaceful but not pacifist, I'm not going to pass judgment on people fighting an occupation.
    • DiggsOnlyJew, on 09/20/2008, -20/+4Ironically... as I was reading this I heard about a hotel bombing in Pakistan on the news: http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article= ... so much for peaceful during Ramadan.
  • mrgreenjeans, on 09/19/2008, -37/+6The first image... haven't I seen that somewhere before?

    http://www.arwen-undomiel.com/images/other/Sauron_ ...

    Just sayin'
  • Melinda38, on 09/20/2008, -5/+45Wow those are beautiful images.
  • Bandicoot2it, on 09/20/2008, -4/+39Picture 3; translation of the chapter that begins on the right hand side

    http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/049.qmt.html
    • senatorpjt, on 09/20/2008, -0/+21"O you who believe! if an evil-doer comes to you with a report, look carefully into it, lest you harm a people in ignorance, then be sorry for what you have done."

      someone should forward that one to Bush. Also, strange that I didn't see anything about killing anyone in any of that.
      • ObamaWins08, on 09/20/2008, -10/+2Try reading the whole Kuran. Then come back...
        I read one page of the dictionary, didn't see anything about sailboats, sailfish, even sailing itself, therefore there is nothing about those in the dictionary...
      • AbdullahAbuDawu, on 09/20/2008, -3/+4Buried for Kuran... You even spelled it like Dubbya and McCain would say it.
    • AbdullahAbuDawu, on 09/20/2008, -1/+19Hey who said you could write about the Qur'an talking about peace?! We have the western media fooled into believing we are raving lunatics and all you are doing is showing them Islam is actually peaceful? Thanks a lot! Now I can't scream 'Allahu Ackbar!' at the passing trick-or-treaters this Halloween.
  • Vacks, on 09/20/2008, -12/+41#16 I'm from Kladanj, and I've been to this cave. The whole tradition is preislamic and our ancestors did this even before turks came and we accepted Islam from them. We kept some of the old traditions and implemented them into our "new" faith. All pictures were very good and I hope that one day all people no matter religion can live together without any prejudice.
    • AllTooHuman, on 09/20/2008, -5/+5"I hope that one day all people no matter religion can live together without any prejudice."

      Not likely.
      • thirteenthcor, on 09/20/2008, -0/+5Does that mean it's wrong for some people to try?
      • Vacks, on 09/20/2008, -0/+2Well no matter how dark it seems we can still do our best to try and steer the situation towards better. I think if everyone tried little we could make big difference. Start with yourself and then others hopefully do the same.
    • makkaveli19, on 09/20/2008, -0/+2:)
    • gr64, on 09/21/2008, -1/+2nice to see a fellow bosnian on digg. before reading the article i'd never had known of this tradition.
  • SnapDragon86, on 09/20/2008, -84/+19I don't understand this article, what got bombed?
  • ZerawBanned, on 09/20/2008, -99/+18Don't forget the most important images :
    http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/wp-content/uploads/ ...
    http://911.navexpress.com/falling2.jpg
    http://911.navexpress.com/imdf11092001111841a.jpg
    • Definition, on 09/20/2008, -7/+41Ramadan is a time of peace, unity and humility.

      It's a shame that people like yourself have to spoil it.



    • Vikerr, on 09/20/2008, -6/+12Yeh.. Important for all Americans.. so that they dont forget how ***** up their government is.
    • SQLserver, on 09/20/2008, -3/+9I could give you about 8-10 times as many pictures of events in which Christians killed 10-100 times as many people simply because they weren't Christian, or the right type.
    • DPDish12, on 09/20/2008, -4/+3You're a sick *****.

      Seriously...you have some mental problems that should be diagnosed by a professional.
    • AWBoy666, on 09/20/2008, -7/+2@SQLserver:

      Give me 10-100 instances in the last century. Modern times do not equal the dark ages. You can't compare them.

      @Zeraw: THANK YOU!
      • issawiah, on 09/23/2008, -0/+1Ummm the holocaust happened in the last century....
    • BSmeter, on 09/20/2008, -1/+3Ladies and gentleman, i present to you ZerawBanned, this is how big a retard one would be, when you are a product of incest.
  • shenmueguru, on 09/20/2008, -49/+16See, they're not all terrorists. They even like giant funnel cakes.
  • RomanThommassen, on 09/20/2008, -44/+21religion is a cult
    • BuzzFriendly, on 09/20/2008, -12/+10Agreed. Pretty photography doesn't make it any more real. I am not sure who said it but I would rather see a 1000 hands working than two praying. Imagine all of the miracles that would happen then.
    • bubba9999, on 09/20/2008, -1/+7Zealotry makes a cult.
    • forceuser, on 09/20/2008, -0/+8If you said Christianity was a cult you'd have +20 by now.
  • MuslimGhost, on 09/20/2008, -31/+90For men and women who submit (to Allah),- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise,- for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward. (Quran 33:35)

    Allahu Akbar!
    • Vikerr, on 09/20/2008, -31/+7You would you please spare us for the citations... I am a muslin too and I am sick of being flooded with Quran citations. Isnt that ever going to get old.

      Please enjoy the photos for what they are.
      • britblogger, on 09/20/2008, -2/+10hey, Debbie Downer - then don't read them.
      • ahmedb07, on 09/20/2008, -0/+13you're being flooded with quran citations on...digg?!
    • amightywind, on 09/20/2008, -32/+6For Muslims who terrorize my country their reward is an iron bomb. (US Air Force)
      • ahmedb07, on 09/20/2008, -2/+11Why do people liek you continually play the role of the stereotypical ignorant, uneducated, mccain-voting american?
      • LordByr0n, on 09/20/2008, -3/+9I would trust a Muslim over you any day of the week you sack of *****!!!
      • xJACKxx, on 09/21/2008, -0/+5last time i checked a few extremists don't equal and entire religion

        @LordByron, your exactly right,
    • buddypriefert, on 09/20/2008, -21/+5Wow, sounds just like the final words in the trascript from flight United 93:

      http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0412061hijack ...
      • sushi69, on 09/20/2008, -2/+9they didn't just hijack a plane, they hijacked a religion too. get the picture yet idiot?
    • buddypriefert, on 09/20/2008, -16/+9"...make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them."

      (Quaran Excerpt K 8:012
      Set 28, Count 62 )
      • AbdullahAbuDawu, on 09/20/2008, -3/+9So everyone is clear, He(swt) was speaking to the Angels about the punishment after death.

        Allah appointed it only as good tidings, and that your hearts thereby might be at rest. Victory cometh only by the help of Allah. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise. When He made the slumber fall upon you as a reassurance from him and sent down water from the sky upon you, that thereby He might purify you, and remove from you the fear of Satan, and make strong your hearts and firm (your) feet thereby.When thy Lord inspired the angels, (saying): I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger.

        The easiest solution if you don't believe in the afterlife is to ignore that passage like you do everything else in the Qur'an. Why would you be afraid of something you don't think exists?
      • AbdullahAbuDawu, on 09/20/2008, -1/+3Masha'Allah. May Allah azza wa jal make us from them.
      • yosserhughes, on 09/20/2008, -4/+4"If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbour, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death"

        "If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbour, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death"

        "For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death"

        "If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property. "


        I could go on and on and on but you get the picture.

      • buddypriefert, on 09/20/2008, -6/+2@yosserarafat:

        "Whoever does any work on it must be put to death" - what Bible did you quote this from (reference please), "The Bible According to Mohammed"?

        The adulterer scenario has already been debunked (guess you weren't paying attention when Jesus condemed the attackers on Mary Magndalene - the prostitute). When was the last timg you saw a woman attacked by Christians for adultery? Would you like me to post a few clips on Muslim women getting stoned in the past few years? How about a few clips of arms being cutt off from Muslim theieves? You are welcome to "try" to find Christian clips of the same.

        All of your quotes are from the Old Testement and were "overturned" in the New Testement (second half of the Bible). Compare this with the Quaran which is generally peacefull in the first half (when Mohammed had only 1 wife - and closer to his age I might add) and terribly volient in the second half (when he even doubted his own salvation, had sex with a 9 year old, etc. etc.). How do you explain that my friend?
      • AbdullahAbuDawu, on 09/20/2008, -4/+3buddy has obviously never heard the story of the Prophet (SAW) turning away from the adulteress 3 times and letting her have the child of the affair and her begging the Prophet (SAW) to stone her. Or how about the story of the prostitute who gave a dog water from a well and the Prophet (SAW) said her sins were absolved.
        Just because we stick to our book and our laws doesn't mean we are worse than you.

        Oh any you're an idiot. The Surah talking most about war is al-Anfal (Surah 9 of 119) and the story of Ayisha is a story of the Prophet (SAW)'s life, not in the Qur'an.
      • DuMbGuM, on 09/20/2008, -0/+1Oh please !
      • buddypriefert, on 09/20/2008, -6/+3@AbdullahAbuDawu

        Hahaha, you make me laugh. Okay, my 'mistake' - the story of Ayisha (the 9 year old that Mohammed had sex with) was not found in the Qur'an but instead just a stor of Mohammed's life.

        Look Kool-Aid drinker, I don't care if the words are written in the Quaran or in the Jungle Book. The fact is, you guys worship a child molestor. How do you explain that?
      • buddypriefert, on 09/20/2008, -7/+2@AbdullahAbuDawu

        Hahaha, you make me laugh. Okay, my 'mistake' - the story of Ayisha (the 9 year old that Mohammed had sex with) was not found in the Qur'an but instead just a stor of Mohammed's life.

        Look Kool-Aid drinker, I don't care if the words are written in the Quaran or in the Jungle Book. The fact is, you guys worship a child molestor. How do you explain that?
      • AbdullahAbuDawu, on 09/20/2008, -3/+5http://www.muhaddith.org/islam_answers/earlymarria ...
        http://www.muhaddith.org/islam_answers/earlymarria ...

        I figure you aren't the 'reading type' so watch these for a detailed explanation.
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm_fkOBZrOQ
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxGlf8mgLVo

    • tehxen3, on 09/20/2008, -8/+3o rly
  • Molle7, on 09/20/2008, -4/+93I want to taste some of that food. Looks yummy!
    • sampanc, on 09/20/2008, -5/+9Especially the chicken wings. Almost every culture has their version of Chicken wings. Chicken wings are awesome, second only to bacon...woops.
  • AerosolAssassin, on 09/20/2008, -15/+8This article gives me munchies.
  • RabeiUsura, on 09/20/2008, -5/+80I'm in Damascus, Syria for some business so i have been able to experience Ramadan first hand and i have to say i'm impressed how much effort this people take to be observant to their tradition while also being tolerant to foreigner that are not fasting. While the pictures are beautiful i think they fail to convey the general idea of Ramadan that is for people to live like the poor and the needy so they can understand the suffering and be compassionate to them.

    Other thing to notice is that because Ramadan follows a lunar calendar the dates change very year, and are tending to go towards summer (which makes days longer and hence longer fasting).
    • 032483, on 09/20/2008, -0/+9I was actually going to comment on that fact. In the article it says Ramadan ends on Sept. 30th But as I recall they won't know the exact end date until a few days before.
    • diemunkiesdie, on 09/20/2008, -0/+3In a sense it makes it longer, but it also makes it shorter. Due to the tilt of the Earths axis, Ramadan gives shorter days to those who have less sunlight at this time of year. By using the lunar calendar, every few years, the month rotates through the year, thereby keeping things even by fairly giving some people short fasts one year, and long fasts the other.
  • Xoti, on 09/20/2008, -29/+5Did you see those ninjas?
    • 032483, on 09/20/2008, -2/+17You know it's funny when you call them ninja's. I've never heard that one before. ..

      Oh wait, I remember going out all the time with my mom when I was a little kid and having to walk by dumb asses like you calling her "ninja" and "ghost" and the like. Actually now that I think about it you probably wouldn't have said it unless you were sitting in front of a keyboard.
      • djoobacca, on 09/20/2008, -8/+3he sounds like he lives in alabama or something. his parents probably met while hanging a black guy.
      • Viend, on 09/20/2008, -0/+2He can't be that old - his grandparents probably did though.
    • slapsomecrap, on 09/20/2008, -1/+1All the world needs are more hate mongers like the people that put stupid comments up. We will never have world, peace, unity and brotherhood/sisterhood/humanity with people still holding hate with in them.
  • orukabir, on 09/20/2008, -2/+38Oh man.. even though I'm hardly religious, these photos make me miss home. :)
  • smartsalman, on 09/20/2008, -8/+62im hungry.. lol (ya im fasting..)
  • ninjacell, on 09/20/2008, -4/+34great photos ... love to unity in diversity
  • tonyrocks, on 09/20/2008, -2/+20OH man, the food looks yummy! Where are the grapeleaves?
  • 0260, on 09/20/2008, -37/+7great photography. im gonna go eat some bacon
  • nasser62, on 09/20/2008, -43/+11this pictures are beautiful
    but in Iran Ramadan is pain in the ass for disbelievers like me
    smoking or drinking in streets = prison + Flagellation
    hate this people
    • makkaveli19, on 09/20/2008, -0/+4are you kidding me. i always ate and smoked in the street in ramedan. check your facts, or the date.
  • xankriz, on 09/20/2008, -3/+7Simply awesome!
  • burkay, on 09/20/2008, -16/+28How glad I am to see that all over the world, my brothers and sisters are fasting like I am fasting, praying as I am praying, reading the book I am reading and repenting the way I am repenting. Ramadan is a whole month of patience and peace and unity. Praise God, he gave us this holy opportunity. Now I am waiting for the Night of Qadr even more eagerly.
    • buddypriefert, on 09/20/2008, -29/+4"Praise God, he gave us this holy opportunity"

      Sounds a lot like the transcript of the final words over the cockpit of flight 93.
      • ahmedb07, on 09/20/2008, -1/+8you already made that joke earlier...no one dugg it.
      • sushi69, on 09/20/2008, -1/+10they didn't just hijack a plane, they hijacked a religion too. do you fail to understand this?
      • bicyclethief, on 09/20/2008, -1/+6Dumbassery is not confined or specific to one religion, as shown by buddypriefert.
      • ahmedb07, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2sushi...ive never heard it put better.
  • govsucks, on 09/20/2008, -32/+11Its funny, I agree that these photos are beautiful, but if someone had put pictures of the same quality up with Christians involved we would have seen hundreds of posters talking about how stupid they are for their religious beliefs and drawing comparisons between creationism and Darwinism. If Muslims are involved is all "Wow, how beautiful, they are such peaceful people." So, WTF is with the bias, stupid fairy tale religious belief is the same all the way around so why such hostility towards Christians and love lavished on Muslims on Digg?

    Oh, and whats up with these people who bash Christians all day and then go support Obama, who is a Christian. Does being black cancel out the fact that he's a creationist?
    • britblogger, on 09/20/2008, -5/+19dick head, if you scroll up you'll see there are quite a few ingrates like yourself already posting negative comments like yours.

      keep you negative and hateful ***** to yourself - you are what's inherently wrong with the world.
      • Spoomeister, on 09/20/2008, -1/+2What was negative about his first paragraph? It's an inconsistency among many religion-bashers on Digg. He's right.
    • 032483, on 09/20/2008, -2/+1lame. SUPER lame
    • AllTooHuman, on 09/20/2008, -6/+3It's socially acceptable to degrade western beliefs and traditions; it is not, however, acceptable to acknowledge any negative aspects of foreign cultures and religions. Doing so makes one "hateful."
      • djoobacca, on 09/20/2008, -5/+2entire western beliefs and traditions consists of degrading other cultures, invading innocent countries, and killing innocent people, so please stfu.
      • AllTooHuman, on 09/20/2008, -2/+2I don't think there's a nation on earth which isn't guilty of the things you've mentioned.
      • Viend, on 09/20/2008, -1/+1Switzerland? xD
    • senatorpjt, on 09/20/2008, -1/+5The difference is that these pictures present a image of something that we've been indoctrinated to hate.
      • Spoomeister, on 09/20/2008, -1/+1senatorpjt - decent point, but christianity has become something that an entire generation or two has been indoctrinated to mock, view with suspicion, generalize into "they're all jesus freaks", etc.

        govsucks has a valid point.
      • govsucks, on 09/20/2008, -0/+2Perhaps YOU have been indoctrinated to hate muslims but I have lived with muslim families before and the "difference" you mention means nothing to me. I already KNOW that there are many good muslim people, pretty pictures won't make me know it any more. What I don't understand is the same people who call this beautiful when its muslims in the pictures would call it barbarian monkey cave dwellers if it were christians.
    • ahmedb07, on 09/20/2008, -1/+2"love lavished on Muslims on digg"


      SINCE WHEN?! i scroll through these comments and all i see is hate. Wake up.
    • Spoomeister, on 09/20/2008, -0/+1I completely agree with your first paragraph. I am also not surprised to see your comment getting buried by many, many people missing your point.

      For your 2nd paragraph - his faith informs and frames some of his beliefs, but he doesn't go shoving it down other people's throats. That's why I, as an athiest, can support him, a christian, for president.
  • afflaf, on 09/20/2008, -3/+13Beautiful and inspiring photographs!
  • amightywind, on 09/20/2008, -67/+16Islam is a scourge on humanity.
    • djoobacca, on 09/20/2008, -13/+5in case someone reads this and gets upset, realize that amightywind has been on these forums harassing muslims for a very long time. he is a jew who hides behind american flags. here's what you do when u encounter him: bury and report. good day.
      • amightywind, on 09/20/2008, -4/+2A Catholic, actually. Heaven forbid that someone make a statement counter to the liberal orthodoxy.
      • Viend, on 09/20/2008, -2/+2I would have dugged you had you not said jew.
      • captainLAGER, on 09/21/2008, -2/+2We have forums?
    • Spoomeister, on 09/20/2008, -4/+4Replace "islam" with "religion" and you've got it.
    • greatname, on 09/20/2008, -4/+4your mom's a scourge on humanity
  • truspect0r, on 09/20/2008, -0/+37Those Syrian sweets sure looks tasty.
  • mitch37, on 09/20/2008, -8/+55Wow, is Digg really this anti-muslim? (Referring to comments)

    I thought it was just a niche of crazies that were. I consider the demographic of digg to be 'informed geeks', but its just sad some of the comments coming out of here..
    • atact88, on 09/20/2008, -1/+14"geeks" is right. Informed - not so much.
    • darkstar949, on 09/20/2008, -0/+26Digg's main demographic used to be informed geeks but once Digg started becoming more of a general news/web submission site the population changed over to more of a general internet population. Somewhat like the Eternal September of Usenet.
      • Benoldays, on 09/21/2008, -2/+0like what happened to counter strike :(
        beta 5.2 was such a good time........
    • bubba9999, on 09/20/2008, -0/+8I think that definition of digg is unfortunately dated. You see nut jobs of all persuasions here now that its so popular.
    • jec68, on 09/20/2008, -12/+5I'm vehemently anti-Muslim in the same way that I am vehemently anti-crazy people and vehemently anti-death and vehemently anti-dogma. All are linked.
      • weech, on 09/20/2008, -1/+5you're anti-death huh? hate to say it but i think you'll be disappointed on that one..
      • jec68, on 09/20/2008, -1/+3You'd be surprised at what the future holds. Absent setbacks driven by people like muslim ideologues, of course.
    • lemur, on 09/20/2008, -1/+6Also geeks come in different shapes and sizes. A lot of geeks have studied things like mathematics, engineering, computer science, but never gained any formal knowledge about religious culture, history, practices, and beliefs. So here we have a demographic that views itself as highly educated, but in one area of knowledge is usually miserably uneducated. This creates somewhat of an awkward situation when discussing the topic, because not everybody is comfortable admitting lack of knowledge in a certain area, especially people who are accustomed to being knowledgeable.

      I have had a few geeky friends go on angry rants against Islam, and when they started to describe the things they didn't like about it, all of their examples were fabrications--meaning that every belief and practice they criticized were not anything from Islam, but just rumors they heard.
  • Vodd9, on 09/20/2008, -3/+26I'm definitely joining their religion for the food. Looks pretty tasty.
    • senatorpjt, on 09/20/2008, -9/+6Bacon, dude.
    • Spoomeister, on 09/20/2008, -1/+3You do know what 'sweetmeats' actually are, don't you?
      • mmmpie, on 09/22/2008, -0/+1Yeah, they're candy. "Sweetmeats" is the term used in the Middle East to refer to what Americans call candy and what British call sweets. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confectionery

        You must be thinking of sweetbreads, though those aren't so bad, as long as you don't think about what it really is.
  • britblogger, on 09/20/2008, -2/+36I'm not a religious man, and I find those images breathtakingly moving. The photographers have really captured the essence of the people, and the faith. Thank you for sharing - as a photographer also, they're all incredibly inspirational.
    • Merp08, on 09/22/2008, -0/+2You said what I was thinking exactly!
  • unr1, on 09/20/2008, -2/+8great! thanks for sharing
  • burketo, on 09/20/2008, -16/+5I was working in Qatar and I managed to get out before ramadan. As much as i respect muslim traditions and their way of life, from what i've heard from co-workers i just don't think i'd be able to stick it. not being able to drink, eat or smoke during the day in the middle east would just kill me.

    fair ***** to the guys over there now. whatever about doing it for your religion, doing it for your job is asking alot. i'm lucky i had to go back to college.
    • abdo, on 09/20/2008, -1/+11Well, since you're not a muslim, you don't have to fast. I don't think they force foriegners to fast in Qatar, and according to Islam, it's OK.
      • burketo, on 09/20/2008, -6/+1actually it is illegal for anyone in Qatar to be drinking or eating or smoking during daylight in ramadan. Believe me. You can't do it. We were sent a very clear ciruclar the week before i left which said no-one was allowed to drink, eat or smoke. I also have been in contact with various people in the comapny and they are all complaining about not being allowed to do anything. Infact i believe garvey's and a couple of other places have closed down for the entire month.
      • manaf, on 09/20/2008, -2/+10You can't do it in public. But you can eat and drink if you are not a muslim in private. In your office or home. I'm sure you know that so stop spreading ignorance.
      • xXDanteXx, on 09/20/2008, -0/+6Yes, manaf is right, you arent allowed to do that in public. You are free to eat as much as you want in private.
    • helwa1988, on 09/20/2008, -0/+8ummm i've been in qatar during ramadan before and the non-muslims don't have to fast. so what are you talking about that you couldn't abstain from food and drink during the day.
  • atact88, on 09/20/2008, -11/+6Beautiful pictures.
    Unfortunately, I wonder when the anti-religion harpers will come out?
    • DocHoliday22, on 09/20/2008, -0/+6Your comment will probably induce it.
    • ProUSADigger, on 09/20/2008, -5/+3The people who claim to be anti-religion are actually anti-Christian. Therefore, you won't see much "anti-religion" commentary here.
  • flawracle, on 09/20/2008, -3/+26pic 10 = in front of my house....I live in malaysia, specifically in Kuala Lumpur and that's one tasty chicken wings that only available during Ramadhan~
  • hypnotistess, on 09/20/2008, -6/+36Amazing pictures. Im inspired by the concept of fasting. For selfish reasons you get to detox your body. For altruistic reasons you get to experience how someone who is poor maybe and develop empathy. Islam is such a beautiful religion
    • DiggsOnlyJew, on 09/20/2008, -15/+1Jews fast as well... yet, I hardly believe you would refer to Judaism as beautiful.
      • bicyclethief, on 09/20/2008, -0/+9Why must you twist a good, innocent sentiment into something ugly?
      • lemur, on 09/20/2008, -0/+8Why wouldn't Judaism be beautiful? It's kind of funny how easy it is for you to believe that Muslims are anti-semitic just because they deplore the human rights violations committed by the [secular] state of Israel.

        Every religion has bigots, but I have to say it wasn't any Muslim country that tried to genocide the Jews. Jews have a long history of violent and miserable persecution in Christian lands (eg holocaust, Spanish inquisition), but in Muslim countries they remained secure. One reason why you don't hear much about it is because in most Muslim countries, the Jewish people are part of the local fabric of society and don't consider themselves separated from their country, so Iranian Jews for example think of themselves as just regular Iranians who have been living in their home country for countless generations.

        Fasting is observed in just about every major religion, including Christianity, although many Christians are ill-informed about the traditions and practices of their religion in the face of modern day breaking from original Christian practices.
      • amirman, on 09/22/2008, -0/+1all my Jewish friends think the Israeli state is pretty sick in the way they treat the Palestinians. In fact i think most Israeli's feel that way too. It's only the political elite who have a desire to gain territory in the Middle East who are vehemently zionist and they achieve this by pushing the idea that zionism=Judaism as much as possible. I Myself think the more secular governments that exist in the middle east, the better, but it's not that easy when what you have on your hands is an occupation that was founded on the drawing up of deeds to land other people have lived on for centuries if not longer. Still i think the people of Israel are probably some of the coolest people i know. their good educations and their secular society are exactly what leads them to be so anti-zionist when it comes to opinions polls. Maybe one day the American government can side with the Israeli people when it comes to middle east policy instead of the Israeli government.
  • HumanityLost, on 09/20/2008, -60/+14These pictures don't fool me, ***** Islam.
    • sushi69, on 09/20/2008, -0/+10right, they were all posing. the photographer told them to hide their bombs for the photoshoot. retard.
    • Hadag2219, on 09/20/2008, -6/+1no, ***** both of you for being against someone's religion.
      • Viend, on 09/20/2008, -0/+2sushi didn't make a statement insulting any religion.
  • Biaggio, on 09/20/2008, -11/+4NOW do you understand?
  • FasmTrout, on 09/20/2008, -13/+7Eye smearing? Ugh, creepy.
    • manaf, on 09/20/2008, -0/+16This is NOT an Islamic custom BTW. Rather a local custom.
      • AbdullahAbuDawu, on 09/20/2008, -0/+11Same with the water in the cave thing.
      • kreamysaverz, on 09/20/2008, -0/+3they don't put the kohl [ like eyeliner ] on the eye itslelf. it goes on the eyelid... like when girls put eyeliner on
      • amirman, on 09/22/2008, -0/+1that guy was just a huge robert smith fan actually.
  • BotchaMcCoola, on 09/20/2008, -7/+6Islam has some charming elements but fasting is something that will not catch on soon in the USA. I think there is substantial cheating on it among those in the more advanced countries. I knew a grad student that feared it would harm his studying. It is especially painful when Ramadan falls during long summer days.
    • waydee, on 09/20/2008, -1/+9If someone doesn't observe Ramadan then they're not a practicing muslim... its quite simple. Practicing muslims in the west fast just like those in any other country.
    • an0nym0us, on 09/20/2008, -0/+8If you bother to do a simple research, you would know that their religion doesn't make it hard for them to practice. If you're in terrible danger of falling ill due to fasting in Summer, for example, you don't have to but then again, it must be replaced some other time whenever it will not harm your body.

      But seriously, if those people in the freaking desert can do it, why can't a grad student in a developed state with modern facilities can't do it?
      • BotchaMcCoola, on 09/20/2008, -1/+2I know that but who is the valid judge. Some people are scared of every little sniffle. The grad student was worried for the health of God's magnificent gift of a good brain.We do know that much of the ME has not prospered as well since Islam began. To what do you attribute that?
      • lemur, on 09/20/2008, -0/+3@BotchaMcCoola Really, there is no truth behind the stuff that you are saying. Even a very casual glance at history will show that after Islam began, the Middle East underwent a surge in prosperity which included major advances in human civilization with respect to everything from education to health care to science, economics, law, etc. This is common knowledge, but I invite you to pick up a history book and learn a little bit about this. Even classical knowledge cherished and loved today by Western societies such as Greek philosophy, mathematics, and science were first adored and dutifully preserved by Arabs at a time when so-called Christian powers were burning it and oppressing said knowledge. In fact, some Greek literature today exists only in the form of Arabic translations that we can then render into other languages.

        Many legal concepts we take for granted today had also emerged (in some cases originally) in Muslim countries, such as right to a fair trial, innocent until proven guilty, right to privacy, right to legal counsel, etc. These are not trivial.

        You must think that just because the ME is not prospering now that it never did since Islam began, but that's a careless assumption on your part.

        Also, as someone who is familiar with Islamic jurisprudence, I can tell you a little bit about fasting... first of all, it's a personal decision. If you cheat or don't cheat, observe the rules or not, is something between a Muslim and God, and it's not any body else's business (yes this is officially the Islamic stance). There are countless reasonable and valid excuses to break a fast or skip part or all of it, including being successful in one's education. In Islam, knowledge and study takes precedence over a lot of things, and there is also an overriding principle that if practicing Islam harms an important aspect of your life, you are obligated to choose your well being (eg you are required to fast, but if fasting can bring you to harm then it becomes forbidden).

        Your grad student friend must not have been very serious about Islam, because if he had bothered to learn a little bit about the practice of it, he would never have to fear or worry about anything. I had a good friend in college who did not fast during one Ramadan because he wanted to focus on his studies, and in the eyes of his family and fellow Muslims, this was perfectly normal and not controversial in the slightest.

        Islam is not about living rigidly and adhering to mechanical principles at all costs. It's about living like a sensible and reasonable person who respects the value of discipline and living according to religious principles, understanding that the implementation of those principles is flexible and comfortable.
    • TyphoidTimmy, on 09/20/2008, -0/+5Advanced countries....feh

      I work in a software company in California and 2 of my coworkers/friends are fasting as we speak. Both are fine with it and in fact enjoy the month for a variety of reasons, be it spiritual (as they find themselves closer to Allah be completing the month of fasting) and even healthful reasons (my friend Brian loves it as much as a detox for the crap he ate for the past year as anything). It's not some sort of kooky starvation as they eat before the sun comes up and when the sun is down and their meals are simplified.

      Hell, considering the way 90 percent of the country eats, they could do well to fast for their god of choice.

      BTW, Brian is actually journeying to Mecca to complete Ramadan with his mother at the Kaaba. You can tell his excitement as he will be leaving Monday. WTG dude!
    • amirman, on 09/22/2008, -1/+1i used to fast until i became an Atheist. now i eat bacon and i masturbate in peace.
  • disrupter, on 09/20/2008, -6/+10Aid kembrouk :)
  • abdo, on 09/20/2008, -9/+36This is what real Islam is about.
    • AllTooHuman, on 09/20/2008, -16/+10If Islam is really all about gathering together with people and enjoying good food, then why the need for all the silly supernatural beliefs?
    • buddypriefert, on 09/20/2008, -17/+5Right, we see all about it: http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/
    • buddypriefert, on 09/20/2008, -16/+10Funny....as I write this, yet another bombing from Islamic extreemists is occuring in Pakistan:

      http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/20/pakist ...

      Religion of Peace huh?
      • Dragular, on 09/20/2008, -4/+7SILENCE. LOOK AT THE PRETTY PICTURES AND LOVE THE RELIGION BECAUSE OF THE PICTURES.
      • lemur, on 09/20/2008, -5/+3Funny... these "Islamic" extremists (actually UNislamic extremists) are officially regarded by Islam as criminals. It literally says in the Qur'an that the killing of one innocent person is as severe as killing all of humanity.

        Consider that... a) the victims of these criminal acts are Muslims b) opposition to these violent criminals comes from the Muslims in these countries (who are the majority) who want to live in safety (as you would if wackos were shooting and bombing your neighborhood).
  • voodoochild461, on 09/20/2008, -2/+16Pretty cool, it's like another planet over there.
    Their food looks really good.
  • DocHoliday22, on 09/20/2008, -3/+34I'm Muslim myself and I think everyone hates ALL the politics that come with religion. If it's a festive period you can't help but be drawn in, for instance I really like Christmas and look forward to it because it's just a nice time and eveyone seems nicer not to mention the pressies and movies that come on TV.
    • bitchville, on 09/20/2008, -1/+3The only reason why most get drawn to when it comes to Christmas is all the free gifts you'll receive lol, and don't forget all the discounts you get when shops go on sale, then the frenzy along with it. :D

      Anyway, overall the images are beautiful, I don't get some of the stupid comments here, if you don't like a particular religion then say anything..even if you hate all religion, I'm not a religious person and all I can say is that we should appreciate who we all are, regardless of faith.
      • an0nym0us, on 09/20/2008, -2/+1The only reason I'm looking forward to Christmas is the next following day - Boxing day!
    • lemur, on 09/20/2008, -0/+1Of course like anything we have ideals and practical implementations, where the implementation always falls short of the ideal, but attempts to do the best given what we are able to accomplish. That being said, Houston Smith worded it beautifully when he said that institutions are ugly. Healing is wonderful, but hospitals? Learning is amazing, but schools? Granted, for all their flaws we'd still rather live with hospitals and schools than without them, and religion is just another good thing that spawns institutions which are lacking.
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