See Fasting in German Bundeswehr Military
See Fasting in German Bundeswehr Military
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BERLIN - German soldiers who are Muslims faced severe challenges during Ramadan. They should be able to maintain the condition and concentration during the fasting month.
Chaouki Aakil, 30 years old is a Master Sergeant in the Battalion Logistics. He was also responsible for safety of soldiers during transport. This task requires a high concentration. This year, Ramadan falls in the summer. This means a formidable challenge to the German soldiers who are Muslims.
"Especially when duty outside of Germany, it is quite difficult. When served in Afghanistan, I say conscience, I can not fast," said Akil as reported dw.com
As soldiers, in Afghanistan he faced physical and psychological burden is very heavy. In addition, he is in a very different culture. So he had to concentrate hard.
Difficult decision
Fasting or not, the German soldiers who are Muslims should take their own decisions. Because in extreme situations, fasting can actually damage the health, said Michael Faust, a doctor at Uniklinik Köln.
"In the long mission, the army needs to be a high concentration. In this case, drink becomes very important. But people can survive without food for a long time. Caloric needs can be met before or afterwards. It can indeed be problematic for health, but nothing dramatic," says Faust.
In the end, every soldier must determine whether he is able to fast or not.
"When sick, traveling, pregnant or nursing women, or the elderly, should not fast and can redeem it on another day," said Islam expert who also served as a priest in the Bundeswehr, Erol Pürlu.
This also applies to people who have a tough job.
"Fasting was to improve health, not to destroy it," said Pürlu.
For about 4 million Muslims in Germany, this year on June 18, 2015 was the beginning of the fasting month. A month filled with celebrations. Traditions and beliefs coloring everyday life in this holy month.
Halal Food in the Kitchen Bundeswehr
Not easy to arrange meals in the Bundeswehr during fasting.
"Certainly more difficult, due to scheduled public kitchen. So the future should be discussed before iftar," said Sergeant Chaoukil Aakil.
"Especially in Germany, to break the fast each day shifts a few minutes. So cafeteria workers must be flexible. But until now, everything works fine," Aakil added.
According Aakil, the German military food offer "kosher" in accordance with the possibilities. So there's always offer a menu without pork. Also byproducts such as gelatin kosher is not used.
The common kitchen Bundeswehr is already preparing.
"Here in Unna, food manufacturing is also done separately," said Aakil.
Cook in the common kitchen spoons and special equipment for kosher food. They also noticed that pork is not stored mixed with meat that is halal.
If work schedules allow, Chaouki Aakil trying to break the fast with his family. For him, the month of fasting is a time to gather with family. Fasting has a social significance. A person who is fasting, said Aakil, to feel how the poor feel hungry and thirsty, and foster a sense of solidarity.
Chaouki Aakil, 30 years old is a Master Sergeant in the Battalion Logistics. He was also responsible for safety of soldiers during transport. This task requires a high concentration. This year, Ramadan falls in the summer. This means a formidable challenge to the German soldiers who are Muslims.
"Especially when duty outside of Germany, it is quite difficult. When served in Afghanistan, I say conscience, I can not fast," said Akil as reported dw.com
As soldiers, in Afghanistan he faced physical and psychological burden is very heavy. In addition, he is in a very different culture. So he had to concentrate hard.
Difficult decision
Fasting or not, the German soldiers who are Muslims should take their own decisions. Because in extreme situations, fasting can actually damage the health, said Michael Faust, a doctor at Uniklinik Köln.
"In the long mission, the army needs to be a high concentration. In this case, drink becomes very important. But people can survive without food for a long time. Caloric needs can be met before or afterwards. It can indeed be problematic for health, but nothing dramatic," says Faust.
In the end, every soldier must determine whether he is able to fast or not.
"When sick, traveling, pregnant or nursing women, or the elderly, should not fast and can redeem it on another day," said Islam expert who also served as a priest in the Bundeswehr, Erol Pürlu.
This also applies to people who have a tough job.
"Fasting was to improve health, not to destroy it," said Pürlu.
For about 4 million Muslims in Germany, this year on June 18, 2015 was the beginning of the fasting month. A month filled with celebrations. Traditions and beliefs coloring everyday life in this holy month.
Halal Food in the Kitchen Bundeswehr
Not easy to arrange meals in the Bundeswehr during fasting.
"Certainly more difficult, due to scheduled public kitchen. So the future should be discussed before iftar," said Sergeant Chaoukil Aakil.
"Especially in Germany, to break the fast each day shifts a few minutes. So cafeteria workers must be flexible. But until now, everything works fine," Aakil added.
According Aakil, the German military food offer "kosher" in accordance with the possibilities. So there's always offer a menu without pork. Also byproducts such as gelatin kosher is not used.
The common kitchen Bundeswehr is already preparing.
"Here in Unna, food manufacturing is also done separately," said Aakil.
Cook in the common kitchen spoons and special equipment for kosher food. They also noticed that pork is not stored mixed with meat that is halal.
If work schedules allow, Chaouki Aakil trying to break the fast with his family. For him, the month of fasting is a time to gather with family. Fasting has a social significance. A person who is fasting, said Aakil, to feel how the poor feel hungry and thirsty, and foster a sense of solidarity.
(rnz)
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