General Chat

Where I live, in a Tourist area, we have a Methodist Hotel. There is no smoking and no alcohol. Anyone is free to stay there - but the rules are No Smoking, no alcohol and modest dress for women (not beach wear). I have never seen anything wrong with this. Would it have been better if the Muslims had said - This is a Muslim Event and Non Muslims are not welcome? Then all the non-Muslims needn't have gone anyway, and could have stayed away wearing whatever they liked. Its ONE DAY - Alton Towers is open 364 days a year. What about a bit of tolerance? OC

I have attended a day at Alton Towers for employees of a particular company and their families to celebrate the employees having worked for the company for 30 years. The park was closed to everyone else. I did think at the time it was a bit of a shame for those who tried to get in that day as not everyone has internet access to check these things. At least prior notice has appeared in the newspaper for this event. Jacky :-)

Sorry caz, it would only be discriminating against the non-muslim population if A/T refused to hire out the venue to christian groups for example, on the grounds that they are not muslim. To hire out the venue to a muslim group is not discriminating as I am sure should a hindu/jewish/quaker group choose to hire it they would be free to do so. Also as has been pointed outl ANYONE has been invited to attend this day on the understanding that it is a private function and the hosts have requested that any guests that CHOOSE to turn up respect the views of the hosts accordingly. Not discriminating, or racist in any way as far as I can see. Claire xx

Gillian,Im sure they have heard it all before,It is sad though.

Like I said earlier, the Sally Army have been having a Butlin's week for years and years without me ever noticing anything in the press about it. I'm sure if any Catholic, Gay Rights etc, etc groups approached Alton Towers with a view to hiring it for the day, they would be happy to let them. Mandy :)

The fact that this event can take place in the first place makes me so thankful that we live in a free and democratic society. Liz

I agree with animal lover It is descriminating against the non muslim population. Fine to have it but also have a c of e day, catholic day, gay rights day etc etc. In this country NO ONe should be discriminated against But yet again PC taken to the nth degree cazx

I feel people are actually making racist comments now! My opinion was that it should be open to all, all of the time and not hired out to any group. I do not think this should become a racist argument.

...and lots of English (white, non muslim) people have foreign ancestors... This could be construed as a Racist thread in my opinion and I am REALLY surprised that a Site devoted to family history research has so many, erm, closet racists. OC

Hi Cherry, It's not yours it belongs to the company that owns Alton Towers, American, I believe. And they can hire it out to who they like. Keep England British and British born? Lots of Muslims are British born. Gwynne (off to teach lots of British born teenagers of many different religions and skin colour)

Yes,I agree about the way the Animals are slaughtered its very cruel,but so are slaughter houses, some are not what you think:-))

Hi Catherine, They have hired it out for a private function. But they have invited others to join them if they want to, as long as they keep to the rules of the day. Are you saying it's OK for them to hire it but it's not OK for them to invite others along? There will be no booze served at Butlins for the week the Sally Army have hired it out do you think that is wrong as well? Gwynne

Catherine thats the point - a Muslim organisation HAS hired out the entire venue for the day - they have quite magnanimously said they will welcome those of other faiths who would like to come along in the full knowledge it's called a Muslim Fun Day Zoe

Would you all feel so angry if this was, say, a Methodist event? I cannot see the problem - Alton Towers is a commercial venue and anyone who wants to, and can afford it, can hire the place. Its not as if its the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey! Jewish people often have private events in public venues. I have been to many as a guest and I respect their dietary restrictions and their dress code - its called good manners. OC

In her place I would respect the rules of the hosts. Or go on another day if it mattered so much that I went on with men. I've been to a Sikh wedding and I made sure that I was dressed in a way that was acceptable to my hosts. It's called good manners. Gwynne

Rachel - I did wonder that myself about the segregation.

Ok, it's a private function, however does Alton Towers have Halal food on the menu for the rest of the year? Perhaps they should as it will attract the Muslim community. As for separate rides for males and females - how do they manage in everyday British life, such as using public transport and in the workplace?

LOL Meercat, I like your way of thinking! Mandy :)

For many, many years now (in excess of 25), the Salvation Army has booked out a Butlin's holiday camp - usually Bognor Regis - for a WHOLE WEEK. Just like the Muslims hiring out Alton Towers, anyone was more than welcome to book, you definitely did NOT have to be a member of, or even interested in, the Salvation Army. But you did have to book via the SA, not Butlins. Plastered all over the papers, a huge percentage of the population will hear about the Muslim Day at Alton Towers - but how many of you knew about the Salvation Army Week at Butlin's? Mandy :)

Sounds fine to me. If I visit Turkey I will dress according to the country's customs and eat their food as it is polite to do so. As I (we) have beeninvited to attend a private function that a group has organised, I will attend (should I decide to go) and respect the rules of that function. Itisn't like a), it is not open every other day of the year, b) You are not being pre-warned before you go, c) You don't have the choice to stay away that day. I went to the beach once. Everyone is free to attend the beach surely, but found out it was taken over by hairy bikers who had pre-booked an event. I was pre-warned and no member of the public was banned, but I chose to go and have a look. Same difference isn't it? Claire xx