OK - well in that case, they DO have a right to expect Ramadan to be taken into consideration.

'They'. you know its interesting, most Muslims DON'T react like rabid loonies every time something happens. And I've not really seen Muslims reacting like rabid loonies over this.

I keep wondering who THEY are. whether THEY be Muslims, Christians, Arabs, Americans or any other THEY.

i think this is alot about NOTHING

Not the date, the fact that someone is trying to take Christmas away or something. Jesus wasn't even born on December 25th. But every year the Hannitys and Limbaughs and righties on this board post complaints that the liberals are messing with their holiday.....it seems similar to me when the Muslims complain someone is messing with their holiday.

THEY are anyone who doesn't believe the same way as WE do. Whoever WE are.

I don't think so either. Most Muslims certainly would not care. This is all the more reason it is unnecessary to change the dates.

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I'm in two minds. I realise the late Olympics in 2000 was due to being in the southern hemisphere (July/August would probably have been too wet), so its clear there can be some flexibility on dates depending on circumstances ... so I don't see why they have to be on during Ramadan, which is likely to be a one off.

However, I also know that there is enough flexibility in Islam for athletes to probably work their way around this, so it shouldn't really have to be an issue.

I wonder about a lot of these 'Muslims angry' articles. I think they are designed to create a talking point, and to get people primed for reading more 'conflict' scenarios. and they tend to stir up 'Muslim anger' where none existed.

I think articles like this are irresponsible. its pretty clear most Muslims don't give a rat's arse about the Olympics being in Ramadan. I've been to plenty of functions/workshops during Ramadan where there would be Muslims attending. They don't get their knickers in a twist and demand that the function be held at an alternative time so they can eat. I think most just get on with it, and don't worry about causing a big fuss.

come to think of it, a lot of the cricket series have occurred during Ramadan over the years, and I haven't noticed the Pakistani cricket team getting all hot under the collar about how inconsiderate everybody else is.

I would think that the Olympics committee should concern itself more with official national requests rather than popular uproar.
If a significant percentage of Olympic nations request a change in date then the committee should consider and vote on it. It's far enough in advance to avoid being a scheduling hassal.
Heck, if a quarter of the participants in almost any event request a change in date it's usually granted to them so long as it doesn't pose a problem for anyone else.

Why not give it to them? No reason to say "no" just because they're muslim.

Their negotiation skills were highlighted in post #11..............

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I agree ... but I also wonder why the Olympics are usually held around that time when in the Northern hemisphere .... there may be reasons for that. I'm only considering this because I realised why the Sydney olympics were held later in the year than the usual time.

sometimes people (whether muslim or anything else) have to flexible in order to fit in with other considerations. If there are valid reasons for the olymics being held around that time, then maybe its something Muslim athletes will just have to live with. If not, then maybe being flexible to accommodate a significant number of competitors is something that the Olympic committee can live with.

Well said.
Honestly, I don't think I seriously care which way the committee decides to go on this, as either choice could be legitimate.
I just hope there aren't any explosions involved...

Yea I miss that!

Sounds like NK Diplomacy!

I honestly believe that in most instances like this the application of a little common sense and laying your cards on the table can usually resolve the matter.

It certainly hasn't been my experience that Muslims, on the whole, are any more irrational, or less open to negotiation, than others. Sure, as with other groups there are people among them who will get fired up and act irrationally and dangerously when they feel that they are under attack ... but in general, most of these people won't go on the war path if the information is presented in a clear and reasonable manner.

Some of the comments on this thread, BTW are so juvenile that I sometimes wonder how many 9 year old boys there are who post here.

Yes it would remind you of that because you are a bigot.

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THIS IS REAL HOPE AND CHANGE!

i'm personally an atheist and think hard core religious practice is a dangerous thing i will respect the views of other people. in saying this we should respect the views of muslims during ramadan but in the case of the olympics most probably already know that there are exceptions to fasting.

"It is compulsory for all Muslims over the age of 12 to fast during Ramadan. Fasting is the duty for every adult Muslim, but there are some exceptions. Elderly, sick, pregnant women, nursing mothers, travelers do not have to fast but they must fast at a convenient time later on. The fast begins at dawn and ends at sunset, throughout the month of Ramadan. During this time, eating, drinking, smoking and having sex are strictly forbidden."

as most of the muslims coming to the olympics in london will be traveling they can all quit their bitching and do it when they get home.

i think we are living in an age where it is trendy to be an angry muslim and some (and i mean only some) are looking for any excuse to be anti-western. cheers.

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