By Francesca Hangeior
Ex-presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has said that there is no rule in Islam that prohibits non-Muslims from eating in public during the Ramadan fast.
In reaction to reports alleging that the Hisbah police warned non-muslims against eating in public during Ramadan, Ahmad further clarified that not eating in public during Ramadan fast could only be seen as a gesture of goodwill and respect.
Bashir presidential aide further disclosed that Islam preaches respect and consideration for the beliefs of non-Muslims.
“It is important to note that no rule in Islam prohibits non-Muslims from eating in public during Ramadan. In fact, respect and consideration for others’ beliefs are highly valued in our religion. While non-Muslims living in a Muslim-majority community are NOT expected to fast during Ramadan, it is seen as a gesture of goodwill and respect for them to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours.
“This is simply out of consideration for the fasting Muslims around them, but it is not compulsory,” he wrote in a post on his official X account”.