Dear Muslim friends,

After reading numerous articles and watching TV notices about Ramadan, it struck me how different this means of fasting is to the type of fasting Jesus taught.
Firstly, let me say right off the bat, I realise how important Ramadan is to many Muslims and it is not my intention to insult anyone but to simply draw a comparison between the type of fasting taught by Islam and to the fasting taught by Jesus. Muslims regard Jesus as a prophet of God and we would expect to read very similar practices but the reality is very different.
Let me quote Jesus' own words regards fasting:

"Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 

That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." (Matt 6:16-18)

Here we learn that the type of fasting that God requires and acknowledges is one that is done privately. Its not announced , no attention is drawn to self, its simple a private matter between the person fasting and God.
Isn't this the complete opposite of what Ramadan does? For one whole month, we learn about how Muslims are fasting via the news, You Tube, etc ... 
Jesus says the only reward this type of fasting will receive is the recognition of man but not from God. 
Again , its not my intention to offend muslims but this is quite alarming , especially to those that consider Jesus to be a Muslim. One would expect what Jesus taught to compliment not contradict the teachings of Islam.

Food for thought (no pun intended).