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I think the real issue here is interpretation of the faith itself. Islam does allow you to make up Ramadan days that you may have missed through 'exceptional circumstances' after the fasting month itself. For example, you have been so horrendously sick you just physically cannot fast. So you make up the days you missed after Ramadan has finished. That is considered acceptable.

The reason why I say this is open to interpretation is because athletes could potentially see the Olympics as a once in a lifetime experience, and therefore they could make up the days after the Olympics have finished. However, sections of the Muslim community will not see that as acceptable. Other sections will.

I'm not an athlete so I do not what my imam would say for example. But I do believe that the Olympics is an important time for a lot of these young men and women. No matter what choice these Muslim athletes make however, I do wish them all the best for next year. Roll on London 2012.

I think it's all a bit much even considering ramadan. All the other issues you discuss, like school holidays, traffic, tivket sales etc, affect everyone. The whole world can't be expected to reorganise itself to fit in with a religious observance. It's just not practical and I'm surprised anyone even considered it. It's not the world of non-Muslims' fault that Muslims decide to follow a lunar calendar and implement such a strict fast and I don't think we should even be considering it. If you want to be religious then you sort that out yourself and if you want to be an athlete then you look after that. If there's a clash, you find whatever solution suits you best, but no-one else should be put out by it.

#2 - I understand your argument, and to be fair, a lot of professional Muslims do find the best solution, such as praying and breaking their fast at work for example. But don't you at least accept that it is the workplaces' responsibility to try and accommodate people of different faiths and beliefs as best as they possibly can? If there was a devout Hindu working there for example, should they not at least try to provide a pure vegetarian option in canteens? Sure the Hindu can bring food from home or find another solution, but it's all about being a bit more accommodating. The same argument applies to the Olympics, because these are professional athletes wanting to do the best they can for their countries, who are their 'employers.'

2500 or so Muslims are exepcetd to compete in the games and so if REASONABLE adjustements can be made, then why not. If reasonable adjustments cannot be made then yeah the choice is upto the Muslim, either compete whilst fasting or dont compete. For Muslims their faith means more to them than the Olympic games so in this sense, most practicing Muslims will compete whilst fasting. Muslims are exempt from fasting for exceptional circumstances but i dont think competing in the games counts as one; so not fasting during Ramadan because of the games is not really an option. Hence the decision is upto the Muslims: if the games falls into Ramadan then they ought to either compete whilst fasting or not compete. Simples.

As a Muslim if I was competing in the games and I knew it was not possible for the relevant authorities to make REASONABLE adjustments for me then I would happily compete in the games. Cant wait! Come on Britain!

Sorry to obsess at one partuclar pointbut what are the 9 religions of London? We reckon, in no particular order; Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddishm, Sikhism, Confucianism, Baha'i, Jainism. But we are definately guessing towards the end.

why didnt this cause a problem at any other Olympic games?

@alexphimister this may well have caused problems but only decades back. since ramadhan is moving back about 10 days every year, in the last 30 years there has been no overlap with ramdhan and the olympics, so no problem. b4 this time, there would have been less problems since there would probably have been a lot less athletes (muslim and non-muslim) so there would have been less issue

Curiously the last Olympics before 2012 to coincide with Ramadan, I think you'll find, was 1948 and London. Ramadan started around July 7, the Olympics on July 29.

as a muslim, i always assumed athletes didnt fast and made them up later. This is their career and what they work they whole life for, im sure its counts as an exception. Amir Khan and mulsim majority cricket players dont fast when playing, there should be no difference here.

Muslims will have the benefit of divine assistance, makes it tough on the Hindus, Christians and Buddhists

Every Friday is a Religious Holiday for Pastafarians (members of The Church of The Flying Spaghetti Monster .
But I don't think it caused any problems at the last Olympics.

6. Confucianism is a philosophy not a religion.
3. Where do you draw the line in accommodating people with beliefs, although often genuinely held, which are not objective? The public shouldn't have to pay, and neither should employers unless they want to. What you do in your private is your business, but you can't expect your beliefs to regulate non-believers. That's why you build mosques and churches with your own money.

Well here we are; Islam wanting special privileges again! Ramadan should not even be given a second thought by the IOC. We must stop trying to be so accommodationist, Muslims impose this on themselves - it's a choice they make.

Are we really expected to organise the worlds largest sporting event around peoples religious beliefs? NO.

Here we go again another ignorant person making accusations that Muslims want special privileges; what drivell! This is a typical but flawed accusation from people who criticise Muslims. 2500 Muslims will be competing in the games and they are NOT DEMANDING that the games be postponed they are merely and understandably open to the idea that the beginning of the games can be shifted by a few days; if it can't then it can't , no problem. But apparently merely even exploring the issue is a problem for you!

Peter thats quite a myopic stance you have. It would depend if God wants them to win, he may not you see.

Not sure what 'Islamic scholars' you've spoken to.. and who told you a Muslim is allowed to break their fast in order to run in a race.

Why don't we just adjust the calendar for every athlete?! British weather not being the best, the dates are designed to take advantage of when British weather is potentially at its best.

Having lived in the Middle East, non-muslim groups are expected to abide by the muslim calendar and not be seen to eat or drink during ramadan (it is illegal to do so in most nations there). While it is possible to get around it, it does make life difficult for your average westerner living out there. SO with that in mind, I suggest muslim athletes also work out how to get around the problem in a non-muslim country.

I think you fail to realise that we live in a liberal secular society whilst most nations in the middle east are not liberal secular societies so it's a bit pointless you making direct comparisons like that. And I think if the olympics were held in a Muslim country and the games just so happened to occur over Christmas day, Christnas Eve, New years eve, New years day then alot more people would be asking for changed dates compared to a handful of Muslims.

Rubbish, I've been in Muslim countries all of Ramandam and they eat, drink, smoke. So why are we even bothering to tailor the Olympics for them.
When I work with them they even call me infidel! Are we allowed to do the same when they visit the UK?

I am currrently living in Dubai, I have previously lived in Bahrain, and I have travelled all over the Middle East in Ramadan and at other times.

Our Muslim friends are just like any other society, there are those that conform and those that do not. As for fasting during Ramadan, I believe it is widely practised, but the bars, clubs and restaurants certainly do cater for Muslims who drink and smoke after iftar (and maybe do not fast at all). The athletes need to get dispensation to postpone their fasting until after their events have finished. Surely that is not a problem, so why is it being made into one?

So what are London's largest nine religions?

@6 and @23 you've missed out another rather large group.
Atheists.

If you want to race race, if you don't don't.