American Airlines CEO Doug Parker fasted for Ramadan on Thursday, noting it was done out of respect for the Muslim employee at American Airlines.
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker Fasts For Ramadan
Posting on LinkedIn, Parker explained:
Yesterday, I fasted from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. No food or drink — not even water. I did so at the invitation of our Muslim Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG). We are in the middle of Ramadan and our Muslim EBRG invited non-Muslims at American to Fast for Unity on April 29th. Muslims around the world, including American Airlines team members, fast like this for the entire month of Ramadan.
The invitation I received included these words: “The core of fasting is empathy. Fasting helps us feel others’ pain, suffering, loneliness, poverty and hunger. In a way, it connects us as humans. Refrain from eating and drinking to experience what it’s like for Muslims to fast, and also to step into the shoes of impoverished people.”
I can tell you I was hungry — and really thirsty — by 8:30 at night. It gave me tremendous respect for our Muslim team members and their commitment to their faith. I am proud of the work our Muslim EBRG does for American Airlines and we all thank them for their leadership and their open invitation to connect as humans.
I’ve been in Indonesia, Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates during Ramadan before. In the UAE, I’ve also taken part in suhur (pre-dawn) and iftar (post-sunset) dinners (even including starting the meal with three dates).
In the Christian faith, fasting is not directly commanded, but arguably assumed. For example, Jesus said:
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
-Matthew 6:16-18
And there have been periods in my life in which I have fasted, though not on an annual monthly basis like some of the more devout Muslims that I know.
I point that out only to underscore that I respect those who fast for the right intentions.
Maybe Parker will now have newfound empathy for economy class passengers on his own airline who receive virtually no food and drink onboard.
CONCLUSION
Doug Parker fasted for Ramadan last week and found it quite difficult. He claims that he did that at the invitation of AA’s Muslim Employee Business Resource Group and that it led to more respect and empathy.
Of course if Parker wanted to practice fasting on a more regular basis, he should just fly AA economy class more often…
Have you ever fasted during Ramadan? How do you get through the day without food or even water?
image: Doug Parker / LinkedIn // H/T: View From The Wing
Wokeness run amok
Tokenistic BS. The fast-breaking dinners are grotesque displays of gluttony, as we’ve all observed, making a mockery of the original intention. These ancient rituals have little to do with genuine piety and are more about observation of hocus-pocus claptrap prescribed by charlatans, soothsayers and control-freaks ( not dissimilar to the lunacy of the transubstantiation rituals of western religion, or the faux observation of Lent).
Perhaps Parker intends to adopt observation of the dietary preferences/religious lore of Hindus, Buddhists, Vegetarians/Vegans, Seventh Day Adventists, Fruitarians, Pescadorians, etc, etc.
I do accept that many people take these matters seriously, and that observation of Ramadan , etc, can be genuine and deeply felt.
“Maybe Parker will now have newfound empathy for economy class passengers on his own airline who receive virtually no food and drink onboard.”
SHADE! Love it, Matthew, lol
Going to see if we can raise quality of comments a bit. Already know how I’m inclined to view this disclosure but I’m not a practicing member of the faith. Can someone that is actually knowledgeable on the topic share their view on whether non-Muslims fasting during Ramadan is viewed as a sign of respect or whether Mr Parker is off the mark in this case?
How absurd.
He fasted for one day…does he want a medal? Whoop dee doo
@microburst
It’s very rude to eat, drink or smoke in front of someone who’s fasting ( and in many countries doing those things in public is proscribed). Does he get kudos? Perhaps a little, as it’s a statement of solidarity.
Haters gonna hate. I suppose trying to show empathy is not an appealing characteristic for haters.
Non-Christian get Easter and all sorts of other religious events shoved down their throats, but someone trying to show some interest in another religion other than their own is blasted.
So prior to this stunt, Dug couldn’t understand the dedication and and hardship endured during fasting? What a show clown this guy is. Props to Stuart! Best line so far.
Getting to the point of parody these corporate statements
Mike Judge will have a fun time with all this material
I admire his commitment to “Saying It Forward” – doing something self-righteous then telling people about it so they will know what a morally superior, enlightened soul you are.
I dont recall seeing any press release proclaiming Parker to be following Buddhist,Hindu, Jewish or Christian observances. He must barely have time in his day to kowtow to every employee interest group. I’d rather see some attention to making the airline operate better.
American, United, Delta…… they’ve interjected themselves into taking a stand (right or wrong) on every form of social activism, ….. now religion ?
You’re a CEO of what ?….. right, a business …..RUN YOUR AIRLINE instead moving in a thousand different social directions and causes – what does this have to do with running an airline ?
Taking bets – This June for Gay Pride, Doug Parker will show his solidarity with LGBTQAETC workers by:
1. Transitioning and becoming Dawn Parker, AA’s first female CEO (and she’ll increase her salary by 25% as a show of outrage against the wage gap)
2. Joining the Mile High Club with a bear of a Southwest FA, who will share the details of their encounter on his Instagram story
3. Paint a 737 MAX nose-to-tail in full rainbow colors, thus making one of AA’s planes less garish than the others
“Non-Christian get Easter and all sorts of other religious events shoved down their throats, but someone trying to show some interest in another religion other than their own is blasted.”
It gets shoved down their throats about as much as Ramadan and Eid get shoved down the throats of non-Muslims in Muslim majority countries.
Ugh. Nothing like pandering to a stupid religion…but I guess that’s redundant.
Next do Lent, Doug