Mayor asks Londoners to Fast during Ramadan

[Peikko 1,575]

What did? I know Boris Johnson has made a comment about what he believes would help promote understanding between different communities in London. However, what Boris Johnson suggests and what Londoners believe and will actually do are quite different things. It's an opinion zqt, nothing more. Boris is well known for promoting some very outlandish opinions. He gets what are usually called 'enthusiasms' which are normally quite harmless.

[HAL 9000 96]

How is fasting going to make you understand Islam (or Judaism) exactly? What a silly idea.

Because people of all different faiths being in a state of hunger induced grumpiness simultaneously is sure to further the cause of polite discourse...

well, the whole idea behind fasting is to understand the hunger, pain, and suffering of those who don't have much and who struggle to feed themselves and their families on a daily basis. it's also a good thing physically, i.e. cleansing your body of toxins and contaminants. a third plus is that it enhances your spiritual awareness.... but whatever.

boris is a freak but i heart him because he isn't afraid to express himself lol...

Sure wish this rationale would permeate some folks that perhaps need to be reminded of a little humility.

Yeah, but the stated intent was to understand Islam and Muslims better, not to understand the plight of the less fortunate. Fasting does no more to help one understand Islam than singing Ave Maria helps one understand Catholicism.

YOU LIE!

Completely agree about that.

I was at a department meeting yesterday and I kept having a strong urge to shout out "You Lie!" whenever the VP made a statement about our YTD results or something. I thought others might not find it as funny though, so I refrained.

You can use the cake is a lie though. More civil.

Never mind. That might get you fired.

I am seriously thinking about feeding the hysteria on that one... buying that retarded bumper sticker and showing up at Prozac and XanaxTea Parties.

[meowmeowmeow 1]

Yeah, but the stated intent was to understand Islam and Muslims better, not to understand the plight of the less fortunate. Fasting does no more to help one understand Islam than singing Ave Maria helps one understand Catholicism.

it would help people understand why muslims fast. in regards to understanding muslims themselves, it just scratches the surface, i agree. and of course not all muslims are good folk, but the general idea is that if you do what they do, you may at least understand what they go through every ramadan.

i had this hardcore catholic friend back in the day and we would fast for lent and what not...wasn't too bad, and the family appreciated my effort...same idea, i guess.

[HAL 9000 96]

One of my lab mates is Pakistani. I've had to stop myself a couple of times already when asking him to join me for lunch.

[Jenn! 918]

Yeah, but the stated intent was to understand Islam and Muslims better, not to understand the plight of the less fortunate. Fasting does no more to help one understand Islam than singing Ave Maria helps one understand Catholicism.

it would help people understand why muslims fast. in regards to understanding muslims themselves, it just scratches the surface, i agree. and of course not all muslims are good folk, but the general idea is that if you do what they do, you may at least understand what they go through every ramadan.

i had this hardcore catholic friend back in the day and we would fast for lent and what not...wasn't too bad, and the family appreciated my effort...same idea, i guess.

I'm not muslim and I fast during Ramadan. My feeling is that people who have an open mind enough to try to gain insight by fasting probably are not the ones who need to understand Muslims better, kwim?

[BishopMnA 0]

This idea is not that wackery...its pretty good. Know/love thy neighbor...

So you're suggesting he should ask the Muslims to take part in Jewish and Catholic dietary practices too?

Do you think he will?

I'm not suggesting he say anything.

I just thought it wasn't a too wackery idea that can help others learn/respect each other's cultures...etc... I can't imagine any harm could come from that.

[meowmeowmeow 1]

Yeah, but the stated intent was to understand Islam and Muslims better, not to understand the plight of the less fortunate. Fasting does no more to help one understand Islam than singing Ave Maria helps one understand Catholicism.

it would help people understand why muslims fast. in regards to understanding muslims themselves, it just scratches the surface, i agree. and of course not all muslims are good folk, but the general idea is that if you do what they do, you may at least understand what they go through every ramadan.

i had this hardcore catholic friend back in the day and we would fast for lent and what not...wasn't too bad, and the family appreciated my effort...same idea, i guess.

I'm not muslim and I fast during Ramadan. My feeling is that people who have an open mind enough to try to gain insight by fasting probably are not the ones who need to understand Muslims better, kwim?

yeah definitely.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Boris Johnson is an eccentric guy, but he's pretty harmless all told.

[Danno 1,228]

This idea is not that wackery...its pretty good. Know/love thy neighbor...

So you're suggesting he should ask the Muslims to take part in Jewish and Catholic dietary practices too?

Do you think he will?

Danno, this is Boris Johnson, anything is possible.

MC, if he did have this consistency where he thought it was a good idea for Muslims to take this same step of observing other faiths in this way, I would still think he was soft in the head but... I'd respect his intentions.

Truth of it is, it's a stupid idea. You can respect peoples faith without partaking in it.

If I were a Muslim, the whole idea would seem to trivialize something meaningful.

[Peikko 1,575]

I am not defending his opinion Danno, I am trying to point out that Boris Johnson is infamous for this type of opinion and guess what? He's a conservative but regardless, his nutty opinions are for the most part harmless - including this one.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Should also point out that Johnson's view isn't necessarily the same as the view of the Conservative leadership, though after that chauffer-driven briefcase stunt and the new Tory logo of a right-leaning tree I guess anything is possible

As far from UK politicians go - Johnson is far from typical. Trying to imply that he's somehow typical of British politicians and UK politics... well... that square peg won't fit into the round hole. No matter how hard Danno pounds on it with his hammer.

Personally, if you're going to pick a fringe UK politician to throw stones at - George Galloway is an easier target than Boris Johnson.

[dalegg 143]

Boris Johnson says even if someone's not a Muslim, they should fast to experience Islamic life and to better understand their "Muslim neighbors."

I'm thinking of lobbing some rockets blindly into my neighbors yard instead.

[AlHayatZween 2]

wooo-hoo! group fast !

I was at a department meeting yesterday and I kept having a strong urge to shout out "You Lie!" whenever the VP made a statement about our YTD results or something. I thought others might not find it as funny though, so I refrained.

[Pooky 3,844]

I still think he's after all the pies for himself

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Mayor asks Londoners to Fast during Ramadan

The mayor of London is asking people to fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Boris Johnson says even if someone's not a Muslim, they should fast to experience Islamic life and to better understand their "Muslim neighbors."

Johnson also encourages Londoners to break their fast by going to the local mosque.

"Muslims are at the heart of every aspect of society. Their contribution is something that all Londoners benefit from," Johnson said.

Israel National News reports there's no word on whether Johnson plans to suggest Muslims and Christians fast on Yom Kippur in order to better understand their Jewish neighbors.

heads would roll!!!