The area mentioned is ruled by Sharia law. So somewhat different than other areas that may be Muslim, but not under Sharia law.
I'm adding this section from wiki to clarify what is meant by Sharia law and to reiterate that not all Muslims are ruled by Sharia law:
Over time, on the basis of mentioned studies
legal schoolshave emerged, reflecting the preferences of particular societies and governments, as well as
Islamic scholars or
imams on
theoreticaland
practical applications of laws and regulations. Although sharia is presented as a form of
governance[16] in addition to its other aspects, especially by the contemporary
Islamist understanding,
some researcherssee the
early history of Islam, which was also
modelled and exalted by most Muslims; not a period when sharia was dominant, but a kind of "secular Arabic expansion".
[17][18]
According to
human rights groups, some of the classical sharia practices involve serious violations of basic human rights, gender equality and freedom of expression, and the practices of countries governed by sharia are criticized.
[19]The
European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg (ECtHR) ruled in several cases that Sharia is "incompatible with the fundamental principles of democracy".
[20][21]Against this, "the concept of human rights" have been categorically excluded by the governments of countries such as
Iran and
Saudi Arabia by claiming that it belongs to secular and western values,
[22] and the
Cairo conference by the
Organisation of Islamic Cooperationdeclares that human rights can only be respected if they are compatible with Islam.
[23]
Full link:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia
Not all people of the Islamic faith follow Sharia law, it is only very specific countries.
The people I know have the same thoughts about it as I do about Lent. It's good to have a space where your community supports you in quiet refelection and focus on priorities, probably resetting them.
^this^
I know people who are Muslim. This is what Ramadan means for them. It is a time for reflection and in the evening, when breaking the daily fast, for family. They would be hurt to read some of the comments made regarding their celebration of Ramadan.
The people I know have just as much respect towards Christianity as their own religion.