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Rules for Ramadan respect

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jeff Loftin
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Southwest Asia --  As the sun sets on August many here in Southwest Asia will begin observing special rules respecting Islam's holiest month. 

Ramadan begins Sept. 1 and is a period of fasting, spiritual reflection, reaffirmation of community and family bonds, repaying debts and settling quarrels for Muslims worldwide. Rules established during the period will ensure military members continue to foster good relations with their host nation. 

"According to Muslims, it is in the month of Ramadan in A.D. 610 that the angel Gabriel delivered sacred verses to Mohammed that he was to memorize and recite," said Lt. Col. Ronald Harvell, senior base chaplain. "These verses became a part of the Quran."
During Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to eat, drink or smoke during daylight hours.
Official daytime off-base travel here during Ramadan will be authorized, but members will not be allowed to eat, drink or smoke off base between sunrise and sunset. The policy is in place out of respect for the religion of the host nation. 

"On base, while in direct view of host nation personnel, third-country nationals and our own Muslim population observing Ramadan, [base] personnel will not eat any food item, drink any liquid (including water), chew gum, use tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipe, chewing tobacco) or engage in public displays of affection," said Brig. Gen. Michael Moeller, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, in a recent policy letter. "These rules are in place from sunrise to sunset and apply while operating a motor vehicle. Acts of disrespect or violations of host nation laws, regulations and customs may be punished under applicable criminal statutes and administrative regulations." 

During the first two days of Ramadan, installation members will not be allowed to travel off base unless on official business. Beginning Sept. 3, members will be able to travel off base from 6 to 11 p.m., but should take special care to avoid offensive dress or behavior. 

"The locals will cover up more during Ramadan," said Lt. Col. Andrew Hugg, 379 AEW force protection cell chief. "If you dress too revealing you may offend someone. You could have someone confront you or even have the police come and talk to you about how you're dressed. They expect you to look nice and not to reveal too much skin."
Colonel Hugg said several base members were recently detained downtown for acting inappropriately and warned that local nationals may be less tolerant of poor behavior during Ramadan. 

"If you're loud and obnoxious it could come across as more offensive than it normally would because it is a holy time," he said. "You should really try to be quiet and go about your business. We should act like guests because we are guests in their country."
Base officials expressed concern about off-base driving during Ramadan. 

"Drivers are going to be crankier because their sleep has been modified and they can't eat or smoke during the day," said Colonel Hugg. "Some will be nicotine deprived. Some will be tired and most will be hungry. You need to be watching for that if you're out during the day. At night, you have to be careful because as soon as the sun sets they'll be headed out to eat. A lot of people will be moving on the roads at once and it'll be more dangerous than normal." 

There will be even more traffic and festivities as Ramadan winds down. 

"Lailat-ul-Qad'r is known as the Night of Power and occurs in the last third of the month of Ramadan," said the chaplain. "It is the holiest night of celebration as it is believed to be the night of the angelic revelation of scripture. After the last day of the month of Ramadan, determined locally based on lunar observation, Eid al-Fitr takes place. This is the breaking of the fast with three to four days of celebration." 

The Eid al-Fitr is a festive time of gift giving, dinners and social events. 

The chaplain encouraged supervisors to allow Muslim workers to participate in the fasts and to take time off for the noon prayers. The chapel multi-faith room will be available for Muslim noon prayers. 

"During Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, personnel should exercise and demonstrate patience and tolerance," said General Moeller in the policy letter. "Like any holiday season, business and productivity is affected by the observance of tradition and customs and workflow slows down considerably." 

This year officials expect the Eid al-Fitr to run from Oct. 2 to 5. The off-base travel policy will continue during that time, but eating restrictions will not. Normal off-base travel rules will resume Oct. 6.