Ramadan

[c00ky83]

Do Muslim Premier League footballers such as Emre and Mido fast for Ramadan?

[dot.hawkes]

Oh I wondered if Wayne Rooney celebrated Christmas.

[VillageVicar]

Yes, if they honour their faith. However, under Islamic law, if they are travelling, they are entitled to break their fast and eat.

[THECORBYLOON]

Any days missed due to travel must be made up at the end of Ramzan.

[Lonnie]

I wouldn't have thought it would make that much of a difference, as after daylight, they can eat as much as they want,

[c00ky83]

Well I thought it was an interesting point, given the physical demands of top class football and the effects of fasting. Maybe you should post a question to find out if Wayne Rooney celebrates Christmas, just don't expect an answer from me.

[andy-hughes]

Fasting for Ramadan is not that hard for a healthy adult.

Believers rise early and eat a massive breakfast, and the fast until the specified time - it is all laid down to the minute - and then have a large evening meal.

For a trained athlete, this sort of eating regime should be no problem at all. My wife was a Deputy Head in an inner-city school with a large Muslim intke, and all the juniors managed to run around as actively without lunch in them, as they did with - so it can be done if you want to.

[Reverandfunk]

Apparantly Mido isn't allowed to score any goals.

No change there.

[weggiewabbit]

So who ate all the pork pies?

... it was Rooney I expect.

[butterfly23]

No idea if they do fast, but it is not easy as made out.

People that fast do consecutively for 30 days, and are usually lacking in sleep throughout the duration as they are getting up early morning (before dawn) to eat.

Also they are not allowed to eat or drink anything at all, chew gum or take medications, that has a serious impact on energy levels.

So although going hungry isn't an issue, the lack of of energy is, and fluid is.

For an athlete to train without fluids would be extremely tough and unadvisable I'd imagine.

[andy-hughes]

butterfly 23 - all Muslims fasting for Ramadan are allowed to drink water during the fast periods - it would be unsafe not to do so.

Yes, they do get up early, but the eat a large breakfast, and eat again at sunset - specifially designated times - but usually around the 6.30 p.m. mark, and progessively earlier as Ramadam proceeds, and in the evening, again a large meal is permitted, and consumed, so fasting is really not such a massive hardship.

It is designed to remind Muslims of people less fortunate than they - whjo do have to go without food, but maing believers suffer seriously is not part of the ritual.

Cliff Richard only eats one meal a day, and he looks pretty healthy for it!

[butterfly23]

Andy Hughes I AM muslim, and you cannot drink water during the hours of daylight.

Believers aren't meant to suffer, and like I said its not the lack of food thats hard to bear, as you can eat after sunset, but more the toll it takes over a period of 30 days, as for the most part you'll be functioning on little sleep. Getting up at 4.30 (ish) every morning for 30 days, and then going about your daily business (be it work, or studying) is not easy.

[andy-hughes]

I stand corrected butterfly.

My post was based on my wife's experience teaching Muslim children - I guess maybe they are allowed water in the day - the were aged up to eleven.

Thank you for your correction - that will teach me to try and sound knowlegable when I'm not really!