I’m a Muslim. Please answer?

May 2021 6 96 Report

I’m a Muslim. Please answer?

I’ve ever been mistreated occasionally by my friends, sometimes deliberated cases of mixing and serving of non-halal food when we dining out, or invited me to their home. But I never annoyed neither reprimanded them anyway. Obviously I know that is not my fault, and hard for me to differentiate between “different” type of meat. They (generally but not everyone okey!) don’t appreciate my religious practice. Though they are my friends, I’m vigilant nowadays.

Recent days, I’m befriending with few vegetarians, but they had never betrayed me, neither playing such “practical jokes” on food issues. They are very caring. I feel myself very safe and well protected now.

I’m not a vegetarian. But why should I encounter the reality this way?

Food & Drink / Vegetarian & Vegan

Heather

I think because vegetarians have had the same sort of problems you have, with people serving them food that they can't eat, either by mistake or as a joke. It annoys them just as much as it annoys you, so they are considerate and helpful. It would disgust a vegetarian to play a joke like a meat-eater would, hiding meat in your food or something.

Every vegetarian has a story of people who have bugged them. It's unfortunate. It's just out of a lack of understanding and the need (for some) to make themselves feel better by degrading someone else. Plus, there's this belief, which I don't fully understand, that eating meat makes somebody more "macho", manly, or tough, and that vegetarians are somehow weak or girly. It could also be religious intolerance. Sometimes explaining it helps, sometimes you just aren't getting through whatsoever.

Hope that helps.

Anonymous

Assalam Walekum,

I can understand what you are going through. In your case, you have to be more cautious. It's not that vegetarians are more caring than meat eaters, but on the type of friends that you make. if you are so unsure, you should not eat meat at your friends house. Be polite about it, and don't risk it. As for your friends that play practical jokes on you regarding this issue, they should know that this is a serious issue, and not something to be made fun of.

Encountering reality in itself is harsh. That's reality. Be a muslim, christian, jew, or anything, and there will still be some people who will make a joke out of it, or won't treat you with the same respect. It's a part of life, and something that many of us face. You should generally be more cautious among people who you cannot trust.

Anonymous

Just as a note of caution, you should always watch what you eat when you are eating outside of your normal environment.

As for your friends playing jokes on you. I would explain it to them and how you felt and everything. Then, just understand that sometimes when people don't understand things, they make fun of it because it makes them feel superior.

Unfortunately, it is a human frailty and something you will see often in your life.

As for your new found vegetarian friends - they have experienced the same issues you hae and have feel for everything you are going through as a Muslim woman / someone different.

Just try to be yourself and treat others with respect at all times. That is what I do and it seems to help. Also, I find it helps to have friends and acquaintances from all religions and backgrounds.

Good Luck