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By GUY PATRICK and ANDY RUSSELL BRITAIN’S biggest fun park has sparked a race row — with a MUSLIMS-ONLY day. Up to 28,000 are expected at Alton Towers on September 17 when there will be no music, booze or gambling. Instead there will be prayer areas, Muslim stalls and all food served will be HALAL. Organisers Islamic Leisure have billed it the First National Muslim Fun Day and tickets can only be bought through their website. Non-Muslims phoning the Staffordshire park have been refused tickets. One, George Hughes, 19, who rang up for 15 tickets for a pal’s birthday, said: “I couldn’t believe it. Invited ... Muslim girls can go to the fun day “It’s the only day we can go, yet I can’t because I’m not Muslim. Can you imagine all the fuss if there was a Christians-only day?” George, of Crayford, Kent, added: “My Muslim friends think it’s outrageous. “What’s the world coming to when people are being banned from flying the St George’s flag yet this sort of day is allowed? If it must be held, then why not on a weekday rather than a busy weekend?” The event is widely promoted on the internet and the Muslim Public Affairs Committee declared it “exclusively for our brothers and sisters”. Logo ... biggest fun park But some Muslims have condemned the idea. One university student on a Muslim website forum said: “It’s hardly encouraging integration.” Another said: “What next . . . an all Muslims shopping day out in the Trafford Centre in Manchester?” Abid Hussan of Islamic Leisure insisted the day was open to all faiths, although Islamic laws would apply. He added: “There will be no smoking, no alcohol and halal food only. “We’re trying to get Muslims to go to this day because they wouldn’t normally go somewhere like Alton Towers. We’re trying to integrate Muslims into the wider community. People can come down and see the way we live. It will be a peaceful family environment.” Alton Towers said any organisation could hire the park for a day. A spokeswoman said “We make no distinction regarding sexuality, religious, ethnic or lifestyle choices.” She confirmed tickets for the day were now available only through Islamic Leisure. And Alton Towers would promote the fact that the day had been booked. She added: “As a general rule, there will be no admission on the day to guests who have not booked through the organisation in advance.”

I can't see whats wrong with that. They park has been booked for a private function so they can admit whoever they want to. I wouldn't expect a Muslim family who have booked a weeks holiday in a caravan to let me into their accommodation and moan about anti-christian attitudes and integration if they didn't. Zoe

Id get banned from here if i said what im thinking.....outraged is mild.

I agree Zoe - can't see the problem. Usual thing of some elements of the media trying to whip up an anti-Muslim frenzy. I expect it will work:)

I feel sorry for the couple who are getting married there but have been told that they will not be able to go on the rides together as the rides will be segregated for men and women to accomodate the muslim culture. They are thinking of marrying elsewhere.

How ridiculous - aren't racial tensions bad enough already without this stirring them up? Do you think they would allow an only 'Christians' day or perhaps an only 'Athiests' day? I don't think so somehow. Kaye x

Andrew Robinson A DREAM wedding at Alton Towers has turned sour for a Yorkshire couple who have been told they won't be able to go on the rides together. Amanda Morris and Scott Lee have just discovered the theme park is staging a Muslim fun day on their big weekend. It will probably mean they have to follow the rules of the organisers who ask that men and women go on adult rides separately. The wedding day itself won't be affected but they had planned to spend the following day in the theme park and are now thinking of going elsewhere. The angry couple were only told about the Muslim fun day nine weeks before their big day on September 16. The couple, from Bramley in Leeds, and their 60 guests will also face other strict rules if they decide to use Alton Towers on the Sunday, including being fully covered up. Up to 28,000 Muslims are expected at Alton Towers on September 17, when there will be no music, alcohol or gambling. Miss Morris, 30, a recruitment sales advisor, said she was angry with Alton Towers – and not the fun day organisers – for failing to inform them of the event. 'We booked this 18 months ago and paid £5,000. Certain rides will be segregated, so we would not be able to go on them as man and wife. I don't think we will go in the park now unless Alton Towers can come up with a plan. 'Alton Towers has apologised for the way we found out about this – through a guest receiving a letter. We are annoyed we have found out nine weeks before the wedding. It's too late to cancel.' She added: 'Our family and friends have a lot of young children and we thought it would be a great idea to include that in our wedding plans. I don't think we should have to wear specific dress and be told what we can and can't do.' A recent letter to Miss Morris' sister Kim confirms the wedding do was booked before the park was hired by Islamic Leisure and goes on to advise: 'While the park will remain accessible to you on this day, due to the numbers expected you may wish to change your booking.' The couple contacted Islamic Leisure who confirmed their wedding party would have to adhere to their terms and conditions. 'We have found ourselves in a difficult situation and we don't know what to do for the best,' Miss Morris said. Yaseen Patel, director of Islamic Leisure, confirmed the wedding party would have to submit to the terms and conditions. On the dress code issue, Mr Patel said: 'The body will have to be covered. But they do not have to wear the hijab (head scarf).' He said designated adult rides would be rotated between men and women throughout the day and offered the couple two complimentary tickets for the day. A spokeswoman for Alton Towers said: 'We sincerely apologise for the way in which the wedding party were informed of the event taking place on September 17. 'We are currently discussing all the options available with the party and are confident we will ensure their wedding weekend is everything they dreamed it would be.'

this was in the paper over a week ago, not quite sure why you have wheeled it out today? 2 points from your quote ... Alton Towers said any organisation could hire the park for a day. AND Abid Hussan of Islamic Leisure insisted the day was open to all faiths, although Islamic laws would apply. He added: “There will be no smoking, no alcohol and halal food only. So what's the problem? They have hired it for the day, banned smoking and booze - a lot of people would say that was a GOOD thing! ANYONE CAN VISIT - they just have to book via Islamic Leisure to do so. Maz.

Isn't that discriminating against the non-Muslim population? AL

Trying to integrate into the community! what a laugh, how can they integrate into the community if there having the own fun day, with no other religions there. Some integrating. Sorry I feel like Strump on this one, best not saying anymore. Regards Yvonne

Alton Towers themselves have created a problem for the couple marrying - why on earth did they agree to hire out the park to someone if there was already a wedding booked - or to book a wedding if the park was already hired out?

I think the wedding was booked before the fun day

I was always told that I didn't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all.................................. With Strump on this matter......... can feel my blood boiling. Julie xx

I only heard about it today, on Talk Sport (I know it's not sport, lol) I think it is absolutly rediculous. Wouldn't it be better to have something like a 'Faith Day', that way, you would get a range of faiths and communities, mingling with each other. I have no problem with Muslims, or any other religion, but having this day is stupid. There would be outrage if there was a Christian Day, or Judaism day.

Wait for it - there'll be a chorus of 'it's PC gone mad' any minute... wonder if there would be all this fuss if it was a group of Catholic bricklayers' widows from Cornwall who had hired it for the day?

The wedding day itself won't be affected but they had planned to spend the following day in the theme park and are now thinking of going elsewhere Bride and groom Jumping on the bandwaggon.<< They planned to go back the next day - how were Alton towers management suposed to guess that? Why shouldn't this happen ?the day I mean. ANYONE can go along - alton towers are still availing the facilities to everyone, just have to purchase tickers thru a website. I cant see the problem myself -

Can you imagine the outrage if this was a christian only day? Racism can and does work both ways I expect this is just another brainwave from the over zealous PC Brigade, when all that is needed is a greater understanding, acceptance and tolerance of each other's faiths. Events like this make no positive contribution to that. So what next? Gays only days, disabled only days? The worlds gone mad. Most people visiting the Park would have a good time what ever the mix of people, because it really doesn't matter.

they are attempting to integrate the Muslim Community by allowing them access to a very British Day Out - which they would not normally do under their own steam because of it being restrictive when it comes to following their religion. I can just imagine the over-reaction of some stroppy burger bar attendant at Alton towers on a normal day to a Muslim park guest asking if their food is Halal.

They already have 'gay-only' days lol ''Alton Towers was the first UK theme park to stage annual 'Gay-Days'. Once a year the park invites gay and lesbian couples to attend a special over 18's day at the park, where alcohol is provided. This event has been so successful that Thorpe Park, another Tussauds owned park, is hosting its own similar event this year.''