Turkey’s religious authority suggests citizens practice ‘e-fasting’ during Ramadan

ANKARA

Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) has suggested citizens practice “e-fasting” during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when Muslims around the world abstain from food during daylight hours.

“We have to come up with ways to tackle [the impact of the Internet on social relations]. In my opinion, e-fasting is the answer,” stated an article penned by Prof. Dr. İlhan Kılıç in the May issue of the Diyanet’s monthly magazine.

E-fasting refers to cutting down on use of technologies such as smartphones and laptops.

“Consider those people who are not able to eat or travel without pressing the ‘like’ button and wasting time,” Kılıç wrote.

“However, [e-fasting leads to] more shared moments with the people we see every day and our neighbors, instead of spending hours with someone we have never met in person and perhaps never will,” he added.

“Instead of trying to be cool, we should try to be a servant of God,” Kılıç urged readers.