From The BBC
A row has broken out in France after a court postponed a trial, apparently because it was to take place during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
Critics say the decision is a breach of France's strict separation of religion and state.
The trial of seven men for armed robbery was due to start on 16 September in Rennes.
But last week the court agreed to a request from a lawyer for one of the accused to put it off until January.
In his letter asking for the delay, the lawyer noted that if the trial were to start now, it would fall in the Muslim month of Ramadan.
His client, a Muslim, would have been fasting for two weeks and thus, he said, be in no position to defend himself properly.
He would be physically weakened and too tired to follow the arguments as he should.
I have worked with Court Clerks who continued to conduct hearings all through Ramadan so I do not think this is likely.
The far right leader, Jean-Marie le Pen, for his part, said the French justice system had reached a new low.
The row has forced the Rennes prosecutor to issue a denial that Ramadan was the reason for the postponement.
But this has not convinced lawyers, who note that all the other reasons previously put forward as arguments for a delay had already been declared inadmissible.
Muslims are able to adjust their Ramadan fast for good reason as this article from the Denver Post shows.
Surely, God understands this is Raiders Week.
Broncos players and devout Muslims' Ryan Harris and Hamza Abdullah will honor the Ramadan season this month without participating in their usual 30-day fast.
"There are sacrificial alternatives," Abdullah, a safety, said. "Of course fasting is No. 1. You'd like to fast, but we don't do it to bring hardship to yourself or your health. You can substitute fasting with feeding the needy, helping out the homeless, things like that."
Harris is the Broncos' starting right tackle, a position that will require all his strength and energy . . .
Abdullah did go through the full Ramadan fast last season, but decided to modify it this year. . . On light days, days off, I'll fast. So I got to fast the last two days but today, because it's a big work day, I consulted with my father and a few higher members, and they agreed I should eat something."