Pakistani Police Arrest Two Christians for Eating During Ramadan

International Christian Concern ^ | Set 1, 2009 | NA

[Qaz_W]

………….. Gull Masih and Ashir Sohail were traveling to Lahore when their bus stopped at the Bismillah Hotel to let off passengers. After the waiter served them tea and a snack, several policemen started to question them as to why they were desecrating Ramadan by eating during the Islamic fasting season. The two Christians told the police that since they are Christians, they are not supposed to fast during Ramadan.

The police then threw them in a van and took them to the Silanwali police station and registered a case against them, alleging that the Christians desecrated the Islamic fasting month. ………………….

Azzaq Bhatti, the father of Gull Masih and paternal uncle of Ashir Sohail, in an interview with ICC said that, “during Lent, all Muslims eat, drink and smoke publicly and neither police nor government authorities take notice of it. And none of the Muslims are arrested for desecrating Christians’ Lent season.” ………………….

[Qaz_W]

It is hell to belong to a minority Religion in an Islamic society like Pakistan and be relegated to a slave like dhimmi status.

[edcoil]

Why then did a restaurant serve food during ramadan?

[VRWCmember]

I think I’ll be cooking some bacon tonight.
Bacon Cheeseburgers perhaps.

[Islaminaction]

Such tolerance. The religion of lies strikes again.

[SpinnerWebb]

Had one last night from Smashburger. I recommend, if there’s one in your area.

[Jaxter]

[null and void]

As travelers aren't they exempt from fasting? IIRC even a muslim caravaner can drink during during the day.

That being said, people who break the fast in islamic countries usually do it behind closed doors.

If nothing else it's just plain good manners not to eat in front of people who can't.

(I can't believe I'm saying something that even sounds like I'm supporting the muslim party line, no matter how peripherally)...

[GeronL]

Have they beaten and raped yet? or would that have been reserved for their kids if they had been with them? (if they had any)

[GeronL]

The restaurant served them!

[edcoil]

Police generally don’t arrest you for bad manners if their is a law in their country not to eat during a specific period, you should not be allowed to sell it.

[null and void]

I think the words you were looking for were:

The restaurant set them up!

(I’d venture that the restaurant served many of the travelers on that bus, but the rest ate inside)

GAHH! I did it again!

[null and void]

Re-reading, it doesn’t say if they were “safely” behind closed doors or a curtain, or out on the patio.

[GeronL]

It might have been a set-up.

[muawiyah]

It's a common practice throughout the third-world to purchase food from food-sellers (who are equipped with stoves, grills, maybe refrigeration), and take it home to eat later.

The Islamic prohibition here has lots of exceptions, particularly in Pakistan where the Shia standards prevail ~ so I'd guess the cops were just hassling these guys ~ they are lucky they weren't beaten.

This is not about religious practice ~ it's about power and how to abuse it.

[patton]

Hotels in Saudi Arabia have hidden restaurants for non-muslims, with non-muslim wait staff, etc. I have eaten in them - no big deal.

[Buckeye McFrog]

uhh....silly question....why would a waiter show up for his daylight shift during Ramadan in Pakistan?

[null and void]

patton ~ Hotels in Saudi Arabia have hidden restaurants for non-muslims, with non-muslim wait staff, etc. I have eaten in them - no big deal.

muawiyah ~ This is not about religious practice ~ it's about power and how to abuse it.

That about covers it...

[FreeAtlanta]

Any word on how Obama’s fasting is going?

[dman4384]

Restaurant was participating in a Ramadan sting operation!

[lucias_clay]

Ashir Sohail, in an interview with ICC said that, “during Lent, all Muslims eat, drink and smoke publicly and neither police nor government authorities take notice of it. And none of the Muslims are arrested for desecrating Christians’ Lent season.”

Thus we see the detriment of destroying the universality of a lenten fast. On the continent if we locked up everyone who didn't fast for lent we'd solve a major issue facing europe.