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US troops are expected to obey local laws in Muslim countries in regard to Ramadan

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Displaced Bama Fan said:
As it pertains to eating and drinking. So "tolerant" of them.

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs...nking-restrictions-during-ramadan_979081.html
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they are to abstain from eating or drinking in public. this is just common decency when in a muslim country during ramadan.

During the 30-day religious celebration of Ramadan, even non-Muslims are expected to obey local laws regarding eating, drinking, and using tobacco in public. Violators can be fined up to $685 or receive two months in jail. A spokesperson for United States Central Command [CENTCOM] said that "we are not aware of any specific instances of anyone being arrested" for such violations.

\For military personnel outside of U.S.-controlled areas, the only exceptions for the rules are for those "performing strenuous labor." Such personnel are "authorized to drink and consume as much food as they need to maintain proper hydration and energy."
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Looks to me like a military tactical move. I presume these are Muslim countries where we hope to get something out of the local population. In that case, good move. It would make it easier on those going without food or water. OTOH, here, I drop back to my "so what" attitude. If they don't like it, let'em pound sand...
 
TIDE-HSV said:
Looks to me like a military tactical move. I presume these are Muslim countries where we hope to get something out of the local population. In that case, good move. It would make it easier on those going without food or water. OTOH, here, I drop back to my "so what" attitude. If they don't like it, let'em pound sand...
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sounds like this is nothing new, just someone looking to be outraged at the way we are kow-towing to islam

When asked if the restrictions were new or simply a continuation of past policy, a CENTCOM spokesperson replied:

There has been no change in policy... [W]hile the US does not have a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the UAE, it is common practice to ensure all Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, and Marines deployed to Muslim countries are culturally aware that during the month of Ramadan, practicing Muslims do not consume anything from sunrise to sunset as a pillar of their faith. Commanders throughout the AOR create policies to ensure their subordinates respect the laws and culture of our hosts at all times.
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US Servicemembers in Turkey are protected from prosecution in Turkish courts for everything except one crime: criticizing Kemal Attaturk. If an airman in Turkey says in public that Attaturk was a murderer and a thief, he will be tried in the Turkish courts, and, if convicted, will serve time in a Turkish prison.
(Cue the Airplane movie jokes, here.)
The US must make certain concessions to the host nation sensibilities.

Come to think of it, I'll go one better than that. When the US put a Naval Air Station in Keflavik, Iceland, the Icelandic government agreed on one condition: no black service members. For 25 years, the US Navy would not assign African-Americans to duty in Iceland, because that was what the host nation demanded.
 
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Maybe we should make some do/don't rules for people who want to live in our country. Oh, never mind.


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dvldog said:
Maybe we should make some do/don't rules for people who want to live in our country. Oh, never mind.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Once again, remember my remark above - when we want some cooperation from the local populace, it makes sense to modify behavior to fit local customs. It doesn't have the force of law. I hope we never become a country where behavior is imposed from above, but don't think that some rules are not imposed on visiting soldiers attending army schools, etc. They are...
 
Ha. I was making a joke. I understand status of forces agreements. [emoji6]


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Tide1986 said:
Would you feel the same way if some homosexuals were equally outraged about not being able to display affection in public in a Muslim country?
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I don't know how much traveling you've done in that area, but, in Saudi, for example, seeing two men strolling along, holding hands is not unusual at all. It's not even considered homosexual behavior...
 
81usaf92 said:
It's nothing new. They prohibited the consumption of food and water in 2013 in bagram to show "respect" to the afghanis.
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prohibited consumption all together? or prohibited in public.

i was in the uae for ramadan last week. i was able to eat and drink as much as i wanted, just not in public.
 
92tide said:
prohibited consumption all together? or prohibited in public.

i was in the uae for ramadan last week. i was able to eat and drink as much as i wanted, just not in public.
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My daughter worked in Abu Dhabi about half time for several years. It's always just been in public. This is being blown way out of proportion and sensationalized. It's just a common courtesy and an attempt not to appear as "ugly Americans." (Amazing how that phrase has been distorted, but I'm using the misunderstood public understanding of it.)
 
TIDE-HSV said:
My daughter worked in Abu Dhabi about half time for several years. It's always just been in public. This is being blown way out of proportion and sensationalized. It's just a common courtesy and an attempt not to appear as "ugly Americans." (Amazing how that phrase has been distorted, but I'm using the misunderstood public understanding of it.)
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yes it is.
 
TIDE-HSV said:
My daughter worked in Abu Dhabi about half time for several years. It's always just been in public. This is being blown way out of proportion and sensationalized. It's just a common courtesy and an attempt not to appear as "ugly Americans." (Amazing how that phrase has been distorted, but I'm using the misunderstood public understanding of it.)
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our partners were not fasting, so we just stayed back in their office while having tea/coffee/water. folks who were fasting were in and out throughout the day and i would generally just set my cup down and not drink while they were in there (although some told me not to worry about it)
 
92tide said:
yes it is.
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I look at the whole issue as being one of politeness. When I am a guest in a muslim country I set aside my love of pork barbecue. When it is ramadan, I try to be polite to observant muslims who are fasting during the day. That is just being polite.
I expect people who come to the US to not go out of their way to be offensive to American customs, so I try to give my hosts the same respect.
 
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