lifestyle

Muslims in Japan observe Ramadan

48 Comments
By EUGENE HOSHIKO

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

48 Comments
Login to comment

“Perhaps I was a bit different from the average Japanese,” said Matsuyama,

Go figure? More power to him, educating the public about differences in religion is important. Japan is very tolerant of varying religions and there are not many Muslims in Japan, in comparison to other faiths. Educating people about them is paramount.

-3 ( +6 / -10 )

You are allowed to drink water right? Because with this heath it would be unhealthy.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

So, this man is exercising his religious freedom. Why is this even news?

7 ( +8 / -1 )

the number of native Japanese Muslims in the country at around 10,000.

In japan, the religion of Islam lost lots of cool points immediately after the Paris incident & the two decapitations of japanese nationals in ME.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

So, this man is exercising his religious freedom. Why is this even news?

It is educational, as Islam is a relatively unknown religion to many Japanese, and there are way too many preconceived notions about the people who follow this faith. I know too many Japanese that see them as terrorists (no thanks to the media) and it's articles like this that may help people understand a little better.

In japan, the religion of Islam lost lots of cool points immediately after the Paris incident & the two decapitations of japanese nationals in ME.

Cool points? I have never heard anyone refer to any religion as being "cool" . It's acts like the one's you refer to here that tend to make people misunderstand and mistrust anyone who is a follower, and those acts and others are NOT about what Islam and Muslims are about, in any way, shape, or form.

Islam is a peace loving faith and THAT is what needs to be told to the people.

-15 ( +7 / -22 )

You are allowed to drink water right? Because with this heath it would be unhealthy.

No. You are not allowed any intake from sunrise to sunset. However, people in poor health, pregnant women, and women on their period are not permitted to fast.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

"Islam is a peace loving faith and THAT is what needs to be told to the people"

I don't think people need to be told that Islam is peace-loving. Islam does plenty to advertise it's peace-loving credibility ... just look at all of those people it has helped to get to heaven (a little sooner than they thought they'd get there ...)

21 ( +29 / -8 )

If you learn to understand the reason behind a person's belief system, it makes it easier to respect them. If their belief system seem strange but take time to get to know them, they may make more sense. By being open-minded you can avoid labeling people and if you engage in respectful dialogue about religion with humility and listen to people with different perspectives from your own, you will be more likely to draw these qualities out in other people and most likely have a fulfilling positive conversation.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Great joy tomorrow then.

0 ( +2 / -1 )

Islam is a peace loving faith and THAT is what needs to be told to the people.

Tell me, what is the punishment for apostasy under Islam?

...

I rest my case.

19 ( +25 / -5 )

I pity the children who have (any) religion forced upon them. Someone with the attitude of "praying is more important than work" hardly seems a fit person to be in charge of a child.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Tell me, what is the punishment for apostasy under Islam?

Let me take a wild guess . . . Getting "stoned" to death?

8 ( +15 / -6 )

The responses I see here show the ignorance and intolerance that people have for Islam. THAT is a shame and THAT is the reason articles like this need to be written.

But those who are blind will always be blind and refuse to accept differences and only point out the bad.

-22 ( +3 / -25 )

Readers, please stay on topic and refrain from posting anti-Islam remarks.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

'But those who are blind will always be blind and refuse to accept differences and only point out the bad.'

I think pointing out the bad is very important. Particularly when people have lost their lives because of this bad. There are good things in Islam but the intolerance of many people of this faith in many countries towards those who leave the faith ( and do other 'unIslamic' things ) is disgraceful.

Not mentioning this is bizarre.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

@Yubaru,

Yes, Islam CAN be a peace-loving religion and it is practiced as such in quite a few countries in Asia. However, it has also motivated the killings and in some cases what is close to genocide of innocent people – both Muslim and non-Muslim. So as long as it is practiced as a peace-loving religion in some parts of the world people will accept it as such. Unfortunately, it has brought a lot of suffering and death, too, so being aware of what damage it can cause is nothing more than common sense.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Matsuyama’s interest in religion began early. In junior high school, he was influenced by the Bible and considered himself a Christian. But he changed his mind a few years later, converting to Islam at the age of 18.

I wonder what were the positive points for switching over? According to my understanding Bible / Kuran / Gita preaches same thing?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The responses I see here show the ignorance and intolerance that people have for Islam. THAT is a shame and THAT is the reason articles like this need to be written.

Islam has a PR problem so it's the unbelievers who need educating?

Such cheek.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Muslim news is sorta old, and I'm not a fan of the new spotlight they have.

Why the preferential story coverage?

The only reason I can think of is Japan trying ( and doing) a non-aggressive stance from a religion that has been hostile against them.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

'Islam is a peace loving faith and THAT is what needs to be told to the people.'

Perhaps 'the people' you are referring to are Muslims. You can read about Muslim on Muslim atrocities pretty much every week and the butchery of IS is well documented. I think you can forgive people for concluding that this religion tends to produce slightly more excitable individuals than others at the moment.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

Sometimes I think that Islam is its own worst enemy.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

No. You are not allowed any intake from sunrise to sunset. However, people in poor health, pregnant women, and women on their period are not permitted to fast

There have been studies showing that there may be low-weight births in certain months after Ramadan. Even though there are outs for people who shouldn't be fasting, not everyone takes them. The "reward" from wanting to please God seems to trump your baby's health.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25231606

In the present study, we determined whether maternal adherence to Ramadan fasting during pregnancy has an impact on the birth weight of the newborn, and whether the effects differed according to trimester in which Ramadan fasting took place...The results showed that half of all the women adhered to Ramadan fasting. With strict adherence to Ramadan fasting in pregnancy, the birth weight of newborns tended to be lower than that of newborns of non-fasting mothers, although this was not statistically significant ( - 198 g, 95 % CI - 447, 51, P= 0·12). Children of mothers who fasted in the first trimester of pregnancy were lighter at birth than those whose mothers had not fasted ( - 272 g, 95 % CI - 547, 3, P= 0·05). There were no differences in birth weight between children whose mothers had or had not fasted if Ramadan fasting had taken place later in pregnancy. Ramadan fasting during early pregnancy may lead to lower birth weight of newborns. These findings call for further confirmation in larger studies that should also investigate potential implications for perinatal and long-term morbidity and mortality.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

wc626:

" In japan, the religion of Islam lost lots of cool points immediately after the Paris incident & the two decapitations of japanese nationals in ME. "

The murder of professor Igarashi for the crime of translating Rushdies "Satanic Verses" should have been an eye-opener, but it was ignored.

As if to prove the case, this site might very well have published a memorial for Mr. Igarashi seeing that he was murdered on July 12. Instead we get.... a fluff peace about a Japanese convert practising Ramadan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

His family is all Muslim.

Well, that goes without saying. I've never heard of a Muslim's family being otherwise

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Christopher Glenn:

" Well, that goes without saying. I've never heard of a Muslim's family being otherwise "

The offspring of a muslim male is always muslim. Period. Islamic law is extremely clear on that. The woman, however, does not matter. Muslim males can and do take non-muslim wifes (see Yassir Arafat), but the children are muslim by definition. That is one of the reasons for the huge demographic success of islam.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

To all have a great Ramadan, remember to break your fast with a dried plum. ;)

Worked a lot with Muslims, Israeli, Hindi, etc religions.

Jewish fasting month is a lot stricter as man can't shave(strict Muslims are always bearded), Also Jewish faith is passed down via the Mother as you can be sure of the parentage at birth.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@IT"sME

Hindi is a language. Not a religion.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Maybe. But "Israeli" isn't a religion, either....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

1 in 4 Israelis aren't Jewish. That excludes aetheists..... : )

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Dried plum, er, Japanese apricot, er, date? ;)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Islam has a pretty long history in Japan, with very few problems.

Arabs are a major consumer of Japanese manga and Anime.

There was a bit of a Hiatus as the popular Anime "JoJo's bizarre Adventures" showed a Koran but other amime "Like Baby and Me", "Fist of the North Star", etc are very popular.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

All those posting ignorant comments about Islam are ignoring all the atrocities carried out in the name of other religions. I have no interest in religion or the religious, but in a free society they have the right to believe in what they want.

-2 ( +3 / -6 )

There is a Muslim Sumo from Egypt name Oosunaarashi who competes during Ramadan. I have to give him credit for keeping up with his religion during all his practices and competition time. I can't imagine how rough that is on your body.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

That is one of the reasons for the huge demographic success of islam.

Point taken

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

'All those posting ignorant comments about Islam are ignoring all the atrocities carried out in the name of other religions. I have no interest in religion or the religious, but in a free society they have the right to believe in what they want.'

I agree other religions have carried out atrocities. I have no time for any religion either but I think it's indisputable that Islam at this moment in time is creating more people liable to carry out atrocities in the name of religion.

Muslims have the right to live and worship as they please. Those of us who don't accept their beliefs also have the right to give our honest opinion of it without the threat of violent consequences or attempts to shut down freedom of speech.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

I have a few Muslim co-workers, sometimes I make fun of them and ask them strange questions and they know I am joking around and joke with me as well. I think that's my image in the office - except when I am working, when I am chatting, I will make jokes and fun. One of them told me that it is only if your body is good and healthy enough to do so.

-3 ( +0 / -4 )

"Islam is a peace loving faith and THAT is what needs to be told to the people"

I don't think people need to be told that Islam is peace-loving. Islam does plenty to advertise it's peace-loving credibility ... just look at all of those people it has helped to get to heaven (a little sooner than they thought they'd get there ...)

@Chris Sommovigo Comment Of The Day. Bravo.

Another thumbs up for you.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Wc626JUL. 16, 2015 - 08:57AM JST In japan, the religion of Islam lost lots of cool points immediately after the Paris incident & the two decapitations of japanese nationals in ME.

". . . cool points"?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@jeff. . . LoL, cat got my tongue? That expression was the 1st thing to pop n' my cabeza I guess.

What I mean is . . . Japan really has no "beef" with radical islam, in this case- Islamic State. But, IS brutally chopped off the heads of (not one) but 2 Japanese Nationals (Feb. 2015). Prior to those decapitations, IS demanded an outrageous ransom which added more insult. All this, as the world stood by watching and knowing the Japanese gov- too diplomatically inept to intervene.

This could possibly be why the religion lost some respect (if there were any to begin with) among the general public.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

'There was a bit of a Hiatus as the popular Anime "JoJo's bizarre Adventures" showed a Koran'

How sad it is to get offended ( then again, a 'hiatus' could be regarded as a mercy given the more violent reactions we've all seen ) by someone depicting a book. If you want to see something really offensive, take a look at the vicious anti-Semitic propaganda pumped out of some Islamic countries. It's very revealing to look at what some people regard as acceptable against those who don't share their particular beliefs. I want to see condemnation of hateful ideas from everyone.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

There is a Muslim Sumo from Egypt name Oosunaarashi who competes during Ramadan. I have to give him credit for keeping up with his religion during all his practices and competition time. I can't imagine how rough that is on your body.

in fact you wouldn't imagine how easy it is to fast, and how refreshing it makes you feel. and actually after all the junk food we are eating nowadays around the year we need some reset button for our stomachs. that's fasting.

you should try it sometime, I heard that some non - muslims doing it for fun

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Muslims have the right to live and worship as they please. Those of us who don't accept their beliefs also have the right to give our honest opinion of it without the threat of violent consequences or attempts to shut down freedom of speech.

Again, that applies to other religions, as well as political groups, etc.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I am Jewish, but I know a lot about Mohammad.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Tell me, what is the punishment for apostasy under Islam? ... I rest my case - See more at: http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/muslims-in-japan-observe-ramadan#comment_2017166

AN Other, what is it in Christianity and Judaism? You'll find that the 3 books are one in same. But the bad breath only goes to islam.

Here's an interesting fact: Did you know that stoning a person to death is in the bible and torah, but NOT in the koran?

How do you like them apples?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

'Muslims have the right to live and worship as they please. Those of us who don't accept their beliefs also have the right to give our honest opinion of it without the threat of violent consequences or attempts to shut down freedom of speech.

Again, that applies to other religions, as well as political groups, etc.'

I fully agree. Nobody can claim a special right not to be offended or claim that certain ideas or historical figures should be above criticism or satire. Respecting a free press, understanding that nobody is obliged to accept or respect your beliefs and not threatening or carrying out violence against a free press is what civilised people do.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Muslims have the right to live and worship as they please. Those of us who don't accept their beliefs also have the right to give our honest opinion of it without the threat of violent consequences or attempts to shut down freedom of speech.

Unfortunately, Islam has a poor track record of letting people live and worship as they please. Shia and Sunni have been at each others' throats from the get-go. Religious freedom, including the freedom not to believe in a god at all, is a joke in the majority of Muslim-majority countries today. Islam has never promoted freedom of religion, except limited freedom of religion for other Abrahamic faiths. The only countries where apostasy is illegal are Muslim-majority ones.

This is something to consider for those who suffer from religious relativism and think scripture doesn't affects societies and their laws.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Muslims have the right to live and worship as they please. Those of us who don't accept their beliefs also have the right to give our honest opinion of it without the threat of violent consequences or attempts to shut down freedom of speech.

Hear hear

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

'Good luck trying to reason with ignorant folks.... There's been a lot of media coverage of atrocities committed by Islamic Extremist fanatics.... They just don't really mention the so called "Burning Times", The "Holy" Inquisition and all those millions that were executed by burning, drowning, stoned, etc during their Witch hunts...Americans and their Salem Witch Trials and the like.... They try hard to sweep it all under a carpet.'

I don't like the assumption being made by some that those criticising Islam are ignorant Christians. I have no time whatsoever for any religion and believe we'd be better off without all of them. Christianity is historically the most violent of all religions but it has been domesticated more successfully ( not completely ) than Islam in the present day. I think it is disingenuous to try to dismiss these arguments with 'well, all religions are violent'. Can anyone really argue that Islam at this moment in time isn't producing more fanatical and murderous individuals than other faiths? That could change in the future but I think we should be talking about what is happening right now.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites