I am pleased to respond to Fasting Bahraini's 'Why deny non-Muslims?' (GDN, July 19). My husband and I are Americans who have enjoyed the privilege of living and working in several continents, in a myriad of countries for more than four decades.

We lived in Bahrain in 2007-2008 and have just returned as my husband was offered a contract which could last several years. We are delighted to be back. I applaud the forward thinking letter that Fasting Bahraini shared with GDN readers.

The freedom to choose how one honours one's God encourages compassion and understanding of the right of others to do the same.

Fasting should be voluntary. Non-Muslims should be able to eat and drink in a public venue which, as Fasting Bahraini suggested, could offer a private setting with shutters or curtains. It encourages us all to focus on the goodness the Ramadan spirit exudes. To do so doesn't require that we all "march to the same drummer." Vicki Carlson