From an Islamic point of view, eating in public during the fasting time is forbidden. However, times have changed and people have started to question this rule. In many Islamic countries, the government enforces this. So if you’re chewing gum in the street in Saudi-Arabia, you could get thrown in jail till the end of the month.
In other countries, it is mainly up to the individual. Do you think that people should be allowed to eat wherever they want? Isn’t it up the individual if he wishes to practice Ramadan? At the same time, would Ramadan have its special touch and feeling if we all did whatever we wanted? All that being said, we should remember that Ramadan is not just about “not eating” but also about being a better person!

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It is morally incorrect and inconsiderate of people's feelings. If you've eaten at home and had enough, you don't need to patronize anyone who is fasting by purposely eating in front of them....... ;)
how lame. islam doesnt forbid others to eat, who came up with that?? coz its not true. ofcourse others should be allowed to eat, whats the problem? just because we're fasting doesnt mean we have to force others to not eat either. besides, the more difficulty u have in fasting, the more u r rewarded inshallah.
I agree with Foofoo...if you don't wanna fast then that's between you and god..
but you should at least consider other ppl's feelings when u eat infront of them while they're fasting..
EAT AT HOME for god's sake u don't have 2 do it in public especially when u r in amuslim country...
ppl r not sllowed to eat in ramadan during fasting time!!!!!? who said this,and from were u got this info? i am egyptian and no one could forbidden any1 from eating,but i am muslim and graduated from a christian school,and my christian friends were avoiding eating in front of us but it were their choice as a respect for our feelings,and also in the university it was the same,while their were muslims who were not fasting in ramadan and were eating in front of all the students,..so its not a matter of forbidden eating or not,but it is a matter of ethics and respecting others..and i think in saudi arabia there is always special case in their laws,they r very strict and very religious and they have their own rules that shoud be followed and respected by the saudians especialy that mecca and el7aram "el-kaaba el sharifa"is located there.
Who cares???? Big deal someone ate in front of me when I was fasting....I'm nto going to die. Yes it's a matter of respect for others feelings but even if someone ate in fornt me why should I care? I chose to fast Ramadan because I know that it's fard on me. If someone chooses not to follow Islam or is not even Muslim why should they have to change their whole life and schedule because I chose to follow my God?
Also, and not to be gross or anything, but when a girl can't fast it's not haram for her nto to eat. Bil 3axs, if she doesn't have to fast why should she? Or a pregnant woman who can't fast, what is she supposed to do? Not eat?? Then what's the point of Allah giving her a free ride because she's pregnant if people think it's "wrong" of her to eat? I think it's stupid for us to be even discussing something that's obviously a personal choice. Restpect is one thing but making someone who is not fasting feel bad for eating is just ridiculous.
in tunisia all da western tourists eat in ramadan..how wrong is that?! i mean i neva been there in ramadan but thats wut its like..i mean here in uk, i find it hard 2 fast wit ma non-muslim friends which drink or eat in front! ahh..but i love them really :)
ppl living in muslim countries should be considerate and avoid eating in public, however if they choose to eat, u cant throw them in jail, its no way to run a country, u cant force ppl to fast. i live in saudi and i have a christian teacher who wont even drink water during school hours, even when other students tell her its ok to drink. i really respect her for that.
." However, times have changed and people have started to question this rule"
First of all it is not a human rule its from ALLA. ALSO you said "being a better person" Sorry but what you are writing doesnt show that . How can i be a better person if i am not doing what ALLA says.
Zayed if you are a muslim please read the following from the holy quran :
O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).
Also from what our prophet Mohammed Peace be upon him said:
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim
One question....
Should Muslims be forbidden to eat meat infront of Christians during the fasting period on Easter? Christians should not be forced not to eat nor Muslims should be forced not to eat. IT IS A PERSONAL CHOICE. Let's just leave it at that.
I completely agree with Mireille. I don't expect everyone to change their ways because I chose to fast.