like eating , alcohol, dress etc
2007-08-20 16:25:08 · 18 answers · asked by zorrro857 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Like (some) others said, just be yourself. Obviously don't offer him anything made of pork or any alcohol. Anything else you want to know, just ask. I'm sure he'd be willing to answer, and he will be able to do it without being preachy. Muslims do not believe in forced conversion, so he'd simply answer your questions for the purpose of increasing your knowledge.
Edit: I notice some people here are talking about this new neighbor like he's an immigrant and unfamiliar with American customs. That's never stated in the question... this neighbor could be American-born and raised, there are plenty of Muslims who are NOT immigrants. He's not necessarily fresh off the plane from Saudi Arabia.
And I just want to give kudos again to the asker... I looked at your profile, and see you're a Jehovah's Witness. I think it's very nice that your question is not about witnessing to your neighbor, but respecting him and his beliefs. We need more people like you.
2007-08-20 16:31:53 · answer #1 · answered by Wanderer 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
One thing is for sure, don't go out of way to appease people if they believe differently from you and no one should do it for you. Also, just don't be jerk either. You know Muslims do not drink beer, wine or liqour so don't offer him that. Good luck.
2015-02-01 11:09:52 · answer #2 · answered by RomanFury 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No pork, no alcohol, and the female dress and requirements for head covering differs with the sect.
The best idea is to go over to your neighbor and ask him. Hey, I am curious what are the requirements of your religion? I mean I would like to invite you over, or to come to your house, but I don't want to offend you. What do I need to know?
If you are polite and show genuine interest in his religion then he will probably tell you. It won’t be offensive; in fact showing interest in his religion shows interest in himself and his family. You are also demonstrating respect by asking. The typical American would do what they normally do, wither the neighbor finds it offensive or not. The fact that you are willing to go a little bit more shows that you care, and if you show this to your neighbor then he is going to care more about you.
This simple question could be a good ice breaker. As long as you are polite, considerate and come across as a person who cares then you should be okay.
Strict Mormons don’t drink caffeine, so no cola, no tea, and no coffee.
Fish on Fridays used to be taboo to Catholics.
To a Jew pork and shell fish are offensive.
But, not to all of them. I have known a Jewish man who ate bacon; I have known Mormons who drink cola. It depends on the individual. Lumping them into a category would be more offensive then trying to find out what they truly believe.
Usually the person is going to respect you enough to not try and convert you to there religion on the spot. After all if you don’t know their restrictions then you know very little about the religion so you are not a likely candidate for conversion. Instead you are a person who sounds like he cares about other people.
2007-08-20 16:30:41 · answer #3 · answered by Dan S 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Haha, you won't offend a Muslim if you drink or eat pork. Unless you do it to their face to piss them off on purpose.
The way to not offend a Muslim is to act with them as you would if you were a devout Christian. Remember, most Muslims are still devout as compared to the Christians. They are living in a Western country, so they probably won't be expecting much of you. But if you want to show them respect, here are some tips:
Loud angry music is not nice. Muslims vary on their opinion on whether music is allowed or not, but I'm pretty sure none of them think that gangsta rap is OK.
If you are visiting them and you are a woman, covering cleavage + elbows + knees would be a VERY nice gesture. I'm sure they will appreciate it.
Actually asking THEM about their faith would probably make them very friendly (unless they're prejudices a**holes). Muslims do not send out missionaries, but they will tell you about their faith if asked.
Alcohol is forbidden for them, so asking them to come over for a drink wouldn't be so nice.
Debauchery, profanity, etc are not very well taken.
In general, as an immigrant, I can tell you this: acting like they're this weird unnatural phenomenon is offensive. Treat them like you would treat other people, just respect their differences. Americans have some customs that are very strange to people who just moved from another country, so if they react to something in a way you didn't expect, be understanding.
Plus, in times like these, when people are so aggressive being towards Muslims, being nice to them would make them appreciate it. And I would encourage you to talk to them, I'm sure you'll discover lots of new things.
And once again to reiterate: act with them as if you were a devout Christian (unless you are one). They are also an Abrahamic religion, so they have the same values as Christians do.
2007-08-20 16:42:49 · answer #4 · answered by Antonio 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I get gas for my car and Muslims work there. I talk to them just like I would anyone else. I don't talk about religion to them. I say hi, pay for my gas and leave. as far as your neighbor goes, just be friendly, if they say hi, say hi back. if they talk with you, be friendly. as far as the one saying he wants to change him to a Jehovah Witness, Jesus spoke to everyone, even Muslims and we do also. we have many Muslims that became Jehovah Witnesses. as far as what they eat or not eat in there home, is there business. they don't stop you from eating pork or drinking or how you dress. even the woman are very nice. since it is summer and I am going shopping, I am wearing a top with shorts on and they don't care what I am wearing
2007-08-21 00:35:44 · answer #5 · answered by lover of Jehovah and Jesus 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Muslims get offended if you're not decently dressed. If you are going to witness to them and your dressing is inappropriate they would not listen to you. A Witness woman should also dress decently, when visiting a Muslim home i.e. Long skirts and no sleeveless tops.
You should pay attention to the time that they pray. They pray five times a day and is very disciplined where that is concerned. On Fridays you should not visit their home until after lunch time because that is the day when they visit the mosque . For the month of Ramadan you should not try to preach to them, because that is their month of fasting ( from 6am to 6pm) and complete devotion of worship to Allah.
Muslims don't eat pork. So please respect that. Don't go eating a ham sandwich in front of them.
They don't participate in drinking of alcohol.
Most Muslims in my country respect my religion. If you respect theirs they would respect yours. They also like it when people are genuinely interested in their religion. So try to show some interest without bashing them.
They sometimes greet you:
Asa lam Walycum ( I can't remember how to spell it) means "Greetings, peace be unto you.
Your response:
Owaleycum Salam: ( I can't remember how to spell that either)
means "Peace be unto to you also)
Humde Allah means Praise be unto Allah.
Allah means Almighty God.
2007-08-21 00:56:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think that this is a very thoughtful and wonderful question. Although i myself cannot answer it for you, if you do not get the answer you are seeking on this post, perhaps you can post a similar question with Muslims only please, to start out with. Then maybe that will help get you some sincere and complete and accurate answers.
Bright Blessings To You!
Your kindness and consideration speak for itself!
Blessed Be
)o(
Trinity
2007-08-20 16:32:49 · answer #7 · answered by trinity 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Don't think of Muslims as bad people or that he will kill you just because he doesn't like what you're doing... lol...
no alcohol
no pork
that's all i can think of. Seriously if he has a problem he'll probably tell you and I doubt he will make a big deal out of it. We are all taught to tolerate other people especially in the US.
2007-08-20 16:33:34 · answer #8 · answered by Sub Poofy 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If she is a competent chum there is not any offences taken. human beings overlook. & u did apologies. Its not that they do in contrast to beef, their faith forbids them to take beef. in the process the time of Mohamed, pigs have been dieseased & eating them is a wellbeing danger for this reason the prophet make a assertion that beef is forbidden to muslim. So it greater approximately hygine than something religious. comparable is going to canine,,,not eating concept, touching a humid canine is likewise forbidden. wish that help. stay buddies, the international desires greater peace,,,
2016-11-13 01:17:17 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just be courteous like you would any other neighbour and they will respect this. Don't offer any alcohol or any meat as we only eat Halal meat, and they may not want your dog(if you have one) in their home, if you can remember that you will get on ok!
2007-08-21 01:29:40 · answer #10 · answered by ♥Sali90♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋