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Ramadan: Controversy in Pakistan over increased penalties for fast-breakers
Critics say a bill currently before Pakistan's Parliament to increase fines for eating and drinking in public during Ramadan,
alongside jail terms of up to three months, is evidence of increasing intolerance in the country.
With temperatures on the eve of Ramadan in much of Pakistan 40 degrees or above, opponents of the hiked penalties
for public eating or drinking in daylight hours have warned the vulnerable will suffer.
"People are going to die from heatstroke and dehydration, this is a ridiculous law..." tweeted Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari,
the daughter of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, adding "this is not Islam".
Citing a need to more effectively preserve the sanctity of Ramadan, the religious affairs committee of Pakistan's Senate unanimously
approved ten-fold increases in the maximum fines for fast-breakers, alongside prison terms of up to three months.
The committee's chairman, Maulana Hafiz Hamdullah, said some cinemas had even been screening movies, which he said was unacceptable.
"Any kind of violation of Ramadan, be it in hotels, cinemas or any other public place, this will have negative impact," he said.
The fines are not massive — $A10 to $A300 for individuals, up to about $A650 for businesses.
But that was not the point, opponents argued.
Tahira Abdullah, a noted Pakistani rights activist, said the plan went against "the spirit of Islam as I know it".
She believed the targets were religious minorities.
"When you close down all restaurants and hotels and access to food and water and drinks during the month of Ramadan, what about non-Muslims?" she asked."How can a state force them to fast?"
But Senate Committee chairman Maulana Hamdullah denied the law was aimed at non-Muslims, saying instead that it reflected Pakistan's
establishment as an Islamic republic.
"Pakistan is an Islamic republic. Article 2 of the constitution states that Islam shall be the state religion of the country," he said.
Mr Hamdullah said it would not stop people from eating, provided they did so in private.
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When I first read this I first thought ... WTF
Then, I thought about the restrictions he, in the West place on our religious celebration days and days of National importance.
Where I hang the hat there is no (direct) sale of Alcohol on Good Friday, restrictions on what can be done on ANZAC Day etc.
Multiple days in Thailand when there is no (direct) sale of Alcohol.
But there is a difference between what we 'Want' and what we 'Need' ... Pakistan takes that to a new level.
I'll pass ...
(Ramadan: Controversy in Pakistan ... thou shall not)
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