Eid Al Fitr 2010: End of Ramadan Signaled by Eid Ul Fitr Celebrations

Eid Al Fitr 2010 signals the end of Ramadan 2010. The Muslim Community celebrates the end of 30 days of fasting, which began in August.  The Ramadan holiday is very important, as it reminds those following Islam how to be pure and practice self control. 

Eid Al Fitr is only one of two holidays observed by Muslims. It’s a day to really thank Allah for the blessing he bestows on those who follow him.

Before going to the prayer, it’s important for Muslims to eat, as on this holiday it is forbidden to fast.

The month typically goes by fast, yet Ramadan is a hard month for the Muslim community.  This year, it was overshadowed with conflicts over the Ground Zero mosque and  threats of groups of adversaries burning the Qu’ran.

                                                                                     

As Eid Al Fitr 2010 is here, how are our readers marking this end of the Ramadan month?

"Burn a Koran Day": Animosity or Insight?

"Burn a Koran Day" is the idea of Terry Jones.  Jones is getting a lot of controversial discussions going, as there are a group of Christians who are against the move, as well as the Islamic community in general.  The Obama administration has called the move blatantly "un-American", but yet the group still persists.

Not everyone hates the move.  People across the country are applauding the move, and applauding Terry Jones from not backing down in the face of adversity. 

IS Obama a Muslim? Click here to find out.

So does this depict animosity or insight? On one hand, it is a hateful move - one you would expect from radical Islamics, only instead of Korans they would burn Bibles and US Flags.  On the other hand, these people are exercising their right to free speech - a Constitutional right at that, which makes the act...I hate to say it, but very American. 

Although it's understandable to have hatred towards Muslims, energy would be better spent trying to get along, rather than protesting against one another. 

Quran Burning Ceremonies Could Affect Troops

Burning a Koran could cost troops in Afghanistan. In the United States, there are several groups planning to burn Qurans, which are the holy book for Islam. This is just yet another example of the tensions that are building up between the western world and Islamic societies.

There is a lot of animosity towards those who practice Islam - even those who have lived in the United States all of their lives. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Muslims are put on the same pedestal as the radical Jihad followers who perpetrated the attack.

The sad realization is that many in the Islamic world frown on what happened to the US, but rather than be sympathetic our treatment of the Muslim society has caused them to put up their own walls, too.

So why can't we just get along? I am sure we wouldn't take too kindly to a group of Islamic individuals burning our Bibles during Christmas (or any time of the year) - so why burn a Quran - especially during their Holy Month of Ramadan?

Iran Stoning: An Adulterous Woman's Son Fears Execution After Ramadan

In Iran, stoning is a punishment used for adultery.  An Iranian woman accused of being adulterous faces stoning as an execution, and her son fears that she will be executed after the Holy Month of Ramadan is over.  


Right now, the Muslim World is under the Holy Month of Ramadan, and as a result, these types of executions don't take place. However under Islamic law the executions can resume after the holiday is over.


However, it will soon be over and Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani could be executed soon. Her son hasn't been able to speak to her since she made a public apology in August.


Click here to find out what politician's wife an Iranian newspaper said deserves to die. 


Many believe that the "apology" was co-erced from the Iranian government. 


There has been international outcry over the potential stoning.  People in the western world don't understand why something such as adultery would warrant death.  People in Middle Eastern societies want the western world to leave them to their own devices. 


Ironically, she's being put to death for adultery but only received a 10 year prison sentence for participating in her husband's murder.


A female journalist has said the following of Ashtiani "Sakineh is the symbol of all the women who are tortured and assaulted in prison in Iran. I hope international support, as well as obtaining Sakineh's liberation, will open the way to a change in this situation."


What do you think of this Iran Stoning situation?

French Veil Ban Constitutional? Will An American Veil Ban Ensue?

There's a ban in France on face veils worn by many Muslim women, if a controversial law passes the French Senate.  With the tensions between the Islamic and Western worlds, will an American ban on Muslim face veils ensue? Of course, there are many factors at play - the constitutionality and world political relationships that would come into play in the American political system that may not be so strong in France.

The proposed French law is very careful not to single out Muslims, but is seen as a way to combat extremist religion. The law would fine women $185 for wearing the veil in public or make them do community service.  Those who oppress women and make them wear the veil could have a fine of up to $38,000 or up to one year in prison - double if the woman is a minor.

Many Americans have already spoke up, stating that an American veil ban would be a good idea given the tensions between the western world and Muslim society.  However one has to ask the question - doesn't banning a veil for a Muslim woman go against the very grain of American society?

America was founded as a place where you can be free from religious oppression.  This is supposed to be a place where you can practice your religion without having to worry about governmental interference.  The same liberties that were granted to those who revolted against the Church of England during the American revolution should be given to those within our society that practice any religion.

That being said, Islamic extremism can be oppressive - not always, but some people make it oppressive.  Studying Islam in and of itself isn't bad - it's a very peaceful religion if you read about it.  Practicing a religion to the point of harming others or making them act a certain way should not be tolerated. The crackdown should be on those who force Islam or Muslim ways on those that don't necessarily believe in its principles.

If you want to end Islamic extremism, banning face veils isn't the way to go about it.  We doubt highly that such a ban would be allowed here in the land of the free and home of the brave.