Sigh, the furore is so tiresome but you know, when an issue is raised, it’s better to address it than to sweep it under the carpet.
So let me try to give a few tips especially to any one who is non-Muslim who has read this story.
The point here is the propaganda being stirred up by the headline alone.
The words “forced”, “darkness” and “Muslim women” are used to stir up anger for a story that in reality does not hold much water.
Why? Because, no one is being forced to use the swimming facilities, the people requesting tinted windows were not ALL Muslim women or men, the council had a choice to meet the request put to them or to reject it. They, as a whole thought it would be better for their community to tint the windows so you cannot blame Muslim women for that, so why use such a scare tactic to sell a non story?
Reality Check!
1) Many councils have noticed that there is a demand for women only swimming, gym and other sessions. These do not cater purely for Muslim women or the Muslim community.
Having taken my kiddo swimming on many such occasions, I have listened to the comments and banter around me. Most of the women who choose women only sessions, like it and go to places that offer such services.
Women only sessions are also run by women only staff so the point being raised that there would be men life guards or swimmers are unfounded in my opinion.
It would defeat some of the reasons behind wanting tinted windows to preserve modesty.
2) Tinting the windows does not stop the people who use any of the facilities from seeing out.
It’s only there to stop people from seeing in, so visually, no one is being hindered.
3) Even on bright days, for health and safety reasons, there are lights switched on so I doubt that anyone is being forced to swim in darkness.
Over exaggeration is putting it mildly!
4) What is wrong with wanting to protect ones modesty?
If catering for that need brings such upset, I can only wonder why?
5) The only “political correctness here”, is the fact that the council saw that tinting the windows does not take away from the modern look of the building, does more to protect public decency, allows more of the community to use it than not and more over, is allowing a group of women who would be restricted in getting excercise to have a place to get it outside of their home.
And that is a bad thing??
HA!
Why such anger over something that could have just as easily been rejected?
As one commenter on the newspaper site pointed out, if as an individual you find the tinted windows such a problem, the protest by not using the service!
Do not sit on your back side and use Muslim Women as scape goats for another media fueled load of bile.
Khalas!
Fin!
End!
On a last note, I saw some commentors making the assumption that a non-Muslim person would not be catered for (ie, wearing bikinis, swimming in an “open” environment etc) if they visited a “Muslim” country.
FYI, countries that are predominantly Muslim do cater in those ways for non – Muslim visitors.
A Prime example of that would be Saudi Arabia.
There, they have compounds for ex pats where Muslims are not allowed, drinking is allowed, wearing shorts, bikinis, no headscarves, mixing of the sexes, celebrations of religious festivals etc (to give a very short and broad list) is all allowed.
To get into those compounds, a person has to have a permit or be invited by someone who already lives within one. And there are many of them!
These compounds have slightly different rules to that of the rest of Saudi Arabia, are there to allow a non – Muslim to feel as free as they wish, are minded by security and are normally run by ex pats.
Saudi Arabia is one of the first places that pop into people’s minds when it comes to issues like this. The problems arise for ex pats when they wish to take this “freedom” into areas that have been made clear to them that it would not be accepted in.
If that happens, the person usually ends up having to admit that they knew the area in which they were caught breaking a law in,was off-limits and they were at fault.
So yes, Muslim lands do cater for non – Muslims, you just get to hear about the few who choose to break laws in those countries.
I have expat friends who have emigrated from here to such countries, as Muslims and non – Muslims, and none have experienced any problems adjusting to life there, following the laws there and being a part of the community there.
The problem here, is that no matter what Muslims do to be a part of society without compromising their religious beliefs, it is not accepted.
