
Muslim women have been taking to Twitter to express their outrage at the fact they feel shamed for eating during Ramadan if they're on their period.
According to Islam, anyone whose health could be negatively effected by fasting is exempt from doing so during the month of Ramadan. This includes the elderly, the very young, the sick, and women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on their period.
However, some Muslim women feel that even though they're exempt, they still feel ashamed for eating in public during Ramadan.
Twitter user @stanakmu launched the debate with a video on Twitter, accompanied by the text:
WHY. #MUSLIM. #WOMEN . SHOULD. NOT. FEEL. ASHAMED. TO. EAT. IN. PUBLIC. DURING. #RAMADAN. WHEN. THEY. HAVE. THEIR. PERIOD. #rant
In her video, she says:
When a girl is on her period she can't fast we know this.
So tell me why we’re looking at girls who are obviously Muslim and they're eating like they're doing haram [something forbidden by Islamic law].
Stop looking at me. If you are Muslim, you should know.Â
In the video, she says that when she's out in public during Ramadan, she feels ashamed to eat and drink.
WHY. #MUSLIM. #WOMEN. SHOULD. NOT. FEEL. ASHAMED. TO. EAT. IN. PUBLIC. DURING. #RAMADAN.WHEN. THEY. HAVE. THEIR. PE… https://t.co/sh0iJJnVIJ— erin (@erin) 1527042119
Other Muslim women echoed her feelings.
Do guys expect us to hide during Ramadan when we aren’t fasting bc of our periods?? Foolery— Amina (@Amina) 1527492406
Some Muslims, however, say that those who shame have misunderstood the faith.
@chubbythicc @bintfairuz Sister anyone making a Muslim woman feel bad during Ramadan because her period has fallen… https://t.co/R03VvfYwb7— Ahmed Bise (@Ahmed Bise) 1527671003
Another said that Muslim women should avoid eating in public to support those who are fasting.
And some went back to scripture.
@Kitty_B_Good If you’re unwell you don’t need to fast. Same for children and pregnant women and women on their peri… https://t.co/zTRz3GUK21— aka aka winnie the bish (@aka aka winnie the bish) 1527515198
Some, however, said that the idea Muslim women are shamed for eating and drinking during Ramadan is just a generalisation.
I saw it’s trending that some Muslim women are shamed into not eating during their periods during Ramadan. That’s s… https://t.co/l1DIi38Igs— Armand (@Armand) 1527689000
More: Six of the biggest Ramadan myths you should avoid
More: 6 ways you can help your Muslim friends during Ramadan