Religion takes a bite out of your paycheck in Pakistan

[cbayer]

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130804/religion-takes-bite-out-your-paycheck-pakistan

Mariya Karimjee
GlobalPost.com
August 4, 2013


KARACHI, Pakistan — Living in an "Islamic Republic," I shouldn't expect there to be a separation of religion and government.

But when I run up against religiously imposed rules, I'm consistently shocked, anyway.

For example, it was only at the beginning of Ramadan this year that I learned it's illegal for any establishment to serve food during the holiday while the sun is in the sky. If you're not Muslim, choose not to fast, or are pregnant, nursing or traveling — all valid religious reasons for not fasting — you're unable to get food, because ... that's the rule.

My confusion about this law was eclipsed, however, when I learned about Pakistan's "zakat laws." Like fasting for Ramadan or praying five times a day, zakat is a basic component of Islam — one of the five pillars that make up the foundation of the religion. According to the Quran, every Muslim capable is required to set aside 2.5 percent of their capital assets to give to charity. In most Muslim states, this is voluntary, although many have a centralized government bureau that handles distribution of the funds.

more at link