Sawm (Fasting): Difference between revisions

Rules vary but fasting in Christianity is not compulsory, nor is it expected to be a complete fast. Meaning Christians generally reduce (not stop) their intake of food, and also drink freely during fasts. This is perfectly healthy and not comparable to the Islamic sawm. Similarly in Hinduism, fasting is a part of the religion, but individuals observe different kinds of fasts based on their personal beliefs and local customs.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting|2=2013-03-14}} Fasting] - Wikipedia, accessed March 14, 2013</ref>

Once the month of Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims then observe Eid ul-Fitr ("Festival of Fast-Breaking"), a day to celebrate the end of Ramadan. Eid celebrations include the unprecedented large-scale slaughter of at least a hundred million [[animals]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_ul-Adha#Traditions_and_practices|title= Eid ul-Adha/ Traditions and practices|publisher= Wikipedia|author= |date= accessed October 18, 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FEid_ul-Adha%23Traditions_and_practices&date=2013-10-18|deadurl=no}}</ref> In the Netherlands alone, which has little over a million Muslims, a 100,000 animals were slaughtered in 2010 for Eid al-Adha ("Festival of Sacrifice").<ref>[http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=214020 <!-- http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fabna.ir%2Fdata.asp%3Flang%3D3%26Id%3D214020&date=2011-06-01 -->Netherland Muslims slaughtered 100,000 animals for Eid ul-Adha] - Ahlul Bayt News, November 21, 2010</ref> And in Pakistan, 7.5 million animals (2.5 million cows and 5 million goats) were slaughtered.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.travelwireasia.com/2010/11/bakra-eid-the-cost-of-sacrifice/|title= Bakra Eid: The cost of sacrifice|publisher= Travel Wire Asia|author= |date= November 16, 2010|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.travelwireasia.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fbakra-eid-the-cost-of-sacrifice%2F&date=2013-10-18<!-- http://archive.is/i2qSF -->|deadurl=no}}</ref> Muslim children are often made to watch this slaughter.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.arabnews.com/news/468058|title= Celebrating Eid Al-Adha in the US|publisher= Arab News|author= Sameen Tahir-Khan|date= October 18, 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.arabnews.com%2Fnews%2F468058&date=2013-10-18|deadurl=no}}</ref>