Reference: Importance of Ramadan, Perspective, Bangkok Post, September 16, 2007

Muslims who fast during Ramadan actually gain weight because they compensate for fasting during the day by feasting during the night. The last meal before sunrise is particularly unhealthy because the faithful devour food to excess and show a preference for greasy fried food and fatty meat because they stick to the ribs. There is no evidence that Muslims eat frugally and become healthier during Ramadan. If they do, the prescribed diet regimen should not be limited to only one month out of the year. We should also note that the practice of measuring time intervals according to sunrise and sunset goes awry in the extreme latitudes because the Muslim calendar is not synchronized with the seasons. For example, the duration of the fast could be anywhere from six to eighteen hours in parts of Canada depending on the season on which Ramadan falls. For Muslims in space, the meaning of sunrise and sunset loses its validity altogether. Religion is a flawed institution because it is based on ancient texts that are not consistent with the information set available to modern man.

Cha-am Jamal
Thailand