Ramadan fasting causes train accident in UK

[Anthea]

Muslim train driver who went through two red lights and crashed causing days of delays had gone without any food or drink for 15 HOURS because of Ramadan

The Great Western train driver went through a double red light in London
The train hit a gantry and brought down power lines in June this year
Rail accident experts claims he had not eaten anything for 15 hours

A Muslim train driver who went through two red lights before he crashed had gone without food or drink for almost a day because of Ramadan, rail accident experts claim.

The driver, who worked for Great Western, failed to stop and went through a double red light at London's Paddington Station in June.

He had not eaten anything for 15 hours before he made an emergency stop but his actions couldn't prevent the train from leaving the tracks.

The train then hit a gantry and brought down power lines at 6.12pm - more than five hours after he started his shift at 1.07pm.

Luckily there were no passengers on board during the derailment and the accident led to three days of disruption - causing misery for commuters.

The driver, who has not been named, had his last meal at 2.30am, reports The Sun.

The Rail Accident Investigation Board have been looking into the incident and were unable to conclude fasting was a factor in the crash.

But investigators highlighted their studies suggested that not eating can result in 'sleepiness and a reduction in concentration'.

They added that this can 'result in safety concerns, especially when conducting safety critical jobs'.

Great Western added that its drivers were regularly briefed and monitored for competence.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the month in which the Quran was revealed.

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and Muslims fast during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset.

At the time, a spokesman for Network Rail, said: 'An empty train travelled past a red signal outside Paddington station which activated an automatic derailment.'

'Overhead line equipment was damaged and trains are able to access only three of the six lines serving the station.'

WHAT IS RAMADAN?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the month in which the Quran was revealed.

The fast is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate.

As with fasting in other religious traditions, it's seen as a way to physically and spiritually purify oneself. Muslims often donate to charities and feed the hungry during Ramadan. Many spend more time at mosques and use their downtime to recite the Quran.

London's new Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan, wrote in the Guardian that he plans to use Ramadan to 'build bridges' and break bread with Muslims and non-Muslims at synagogues, churches and mosques, though he acknowledged that 19-hour fasts during the longer summer days in Europe and forgoing coffee will be challenging.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the Muslim declaration of faith, daily prayer, charity, and performing the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... madan.html

[Anthea]

I have a great many friends who happen to be Muslim

They are my friends as long as they keep their religious beliefs to themselves

In my mind a religion should be a personal thing between an individual and their God

It should not be something that is forced upon others

Children should NOT be brainwashed and or indoctrinated into ANY religious cult

Come to my home and complain about my Buddhas and I will hit you over the head with my wand

If you do not like my witches Bible then do not read it

Sadly, many of my Muslims friends are ill because of the fasting

The hours of fasting in the UK are too long

Fasting without taking water should be forbidden

[Piling]

I just realized that plane pilot could fast in a Muslim company. Better to avoid that time for travel

Considering the safety rules, I hope it is forbidden… but who knows ?