Monday, October 6, 2008
The University Daily Kansan’s decision to publish Friday’s cartoon about Ramadan was in bad taste. Why? Because it totally misrepresents the true purpose of Ramadan, which is to improve oneself spiritually. We don’t go about fasting to lose weight or with other such objectives (which the cartoon implied), but we fast solely for God.
The Kansan’s coverage of Ramadan has been misrepresentative as a whole. In its article about Ramadan, it made the practice of fasting appear cruel and oppressive, and now it portrays low worldly objectives as the reason for fasting. I know that a story about someone in “hardship” or a cartoon poking fun at a religious practice brings readers in, but sensationalizing a religious practice is below the dignity of any newspaper and is just bad journalism. I hope the Kansan staff will do its homework next time and make sure it doesn’t inadvertently misrepresent the world’s second largest faith.
Right now, more than ever, we need to educate people about the world’s different religions, not poke fun at them. We need to build bridges to understand each other’s faith, not burn them down.
— — Mirza Nayyar Ahmad is a junior from Dodge City.
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Comments
Letter: Represent true values during Ramadan
Wait, Ramadan's a religious holiday? Why wouldn't Jesus eat? He can make fish with his mind!
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