Muslims, is it right to use the police power of the state to enforce a religious fast?

Question

RAMALLAH, West Bank - A new squad of morality police has begun detaining Palestinians who eat or drink in public during Ramadan in the West Bank, where the Islamic month of daytime fasting was always widely observed but never imposed.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2007/09/28/west_bank_morality_force_arrests_fast_breakers/

Given the future success of the global jihad to impose Islamic theocracy, would Muslims arrest nonmuslims for eating and drinking?

Africanman, I don't understand "where 100% of the people are supposed to be Muslims." Shouldn't people have religious freedom in Muslim countries?

Some Palestinians are Christians. I wonder if the police check religious IDs before making arrests for violating religious rules?

Answer 1

"The duty of the morality police is to preserve public manners in public places and to preserve the feelings of the people who are fasting," he said. "Violating the holiness of Ramadan is a violation of people's freedom. "

Simply pathetic

Answer 2

First of all, every Muslim is required to fast during the month of Ramadan excluding some exceptions, some of which are illness, elderly, children, travellers. God describes the obligation of fasting in his Book (Quran), as he as ordained fasting for those before (Christians, Jews). So, we are obliged to follow the order of our Creator. Fasting actually cleanses the body and reminds us that there are ppl out there that have nothing to eat. So, we become psychologically associated with those ppl and have a yearning to help them. Not fasting prevents this and is disobedience to the one who gave us life. I am not sure if Islam it can be ordered to fast, so I will not comment on this. Perhaps yes or no? I don't know. But, if people are eating and eating outside (and remember that this enforcement is only in public - and it is only until sunset - and it is only for Muslims) it will disturb those who are fasting and it may make the weak ppl break their fast. So, in attempt to keep people faithful to the Word of God...an enforcement takes place like this with pre-conditions. 1)They are Muslim 2)They are eating in Public 3) They do not have any exceptions for not fasting. Your question about arresting nonmuslims for eating and drinking - I find it ludicrous really. That would NEVER happen....and if it did it would NOT be from Islam.

Answer 3

Well it sounds a little extream but if u live in a country where 100% of the people are supposed to be muslims, and yes it should be part of the law of the land that u cant eat in public during ramadan

Answer 4

This kind of thing happens all the time in Malaysia.
http://english.aljazeera.net/English/archive/archive?ArchiveId=10674
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21256605-1702,00.html
It has always perturbed me that if you are a non Muslim you can change into your bathing suit and go swimming in Malaysia, but if you are a Muslim and behave similarly the police will be round to arrest you. There are signs in swimming pools saying: "No Muslims beyond this point."

Answer 5

people are saying its not right based off of what is norm here. Americans being egocentric again. It is not our place to decide if they should or should not use religion along with politics. That an American rule, not a worldwide rule that politics should not mix with religion.

Answer 6

Religion is deeply infused into the politics and people over there.

Is it right? Well, in my opinion, no.

Answer 7

Most countries over there are religion, in Israel everything shuts down for the holy sabbath- its normal, just not in America.

Answer 8

Fasting is for God not Governments.

Answer 9

If they want to eat they are not to eat in public.

.

Answer 10

no, it's not right, but it certainly goes along with their "convert or die" lifestyle