Muslim only day at Alton Towers - is this OK ?

[vehelpfulguy]

So Alton Towers have allowed a Muslim organization to book the park for the day (September 17th 2006).

No tickets will be sold on the door on the day, and tickets can only be booked via an islamic organization.

Rides will be segregated (men only or women only), and women must cover their bodies in Islam style.

Also no music or alcohol is allowed, and only Halal food will be served.

The whole event could be considered racist, sexist and divisive, and does nothing to assist integration.

Surely in a country where people like Emily Pankhurst fought to get women equality and the vote (and some women died in the cause ) this is a backward step.

Should we be bothered about the trend here ?

More details here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml =/news/2006/07/12/nwedd12.xml&sSheet=/news/200 6/07/12/ixuknews.html

[naz_nomad]

Oh, well .....gives 'Oblivion' a whole new meaning

[lynbrown]

In a democracy, we have the right to be exclusive - they have obviously paid for it so they can all the shots. Why should they not make the rules on this one day? They are not imposing these rules on any other park attenders, as there wont be any!! Sounds fair to me.

[Rock'n'Roll]

Ward Minter<your an idiot!
This was discussed on radio yesterday. Virgin have leased it exclusevely for their emplyees,as have BT along with a few other businesses. so it's not a first. Alton towers is a private company and it's job is to make as much money as possible for it's shareholders. Can't be considered 'racist' as their are English muslems,can't be considered sexist because muslim ladies will be there. The argument is should Alton Towers be entitled to rent it privately? . I believe a couple who had already booked some part for wedding ceremony had it cancelled by A/T Legally,which stinks. they are,but morally?? What a fuss if Blackpool did the same.

[Rock'n'Roll]

excuse bad grammer at end,I inserted at wrong place

[Drusilla1S]

I don't have a problem with any organization booking a private bash at Alton Towers. I would have problems if the organization then began to dictate rules regarding the dress, gender and eating habits of the staff on duty on that particular day, or the attire of any other groups that happened to be present in a separate part of the complex.

[Booldawg]

lynbrown - you're missing the point. Please explain the difference between 'the right to be exculsive' and racism. It simply wouldnt be 'cricket' if they had a christian day only. and you know it x

[noxlumos]

No booldawg but it'd be perfectly ok for the Pope to privately hire Alton Towers for him and all the Cardinals to let their hair down. It's JUST A PRIVATE BOOKING, that's all, you know like when Tracey up the road hired the Working Men's Club for her wedding reception?It's fine. Stop worrying.

[brachiopod]

Private bookings are not uncommon at Alton Towers.

If a person or organisation contracts with the Tussaud Group (the owners of Alton Towers) to privately book the venue, then, as they are paying for the privelege, they will have some degree of what goes on. Though Tussaud Group will have the right to refuse any requests or conditions the hirer wishes to impose.

I notice from the Alton Towers website that the park "...is closed on September 17th & September 30th 2006 for private hire events, apologies for any inconvenience caused by this."

So if the hirer on 30th september insists that all guests must wear Dior dresses and carry Prada handbags and sip nothing but champagne - is that not just as exclusive and divisive?

The issue here is one of double-booking, and that the party with the minor interest (the wedding couple) having to comply with the conditions of the party with the major interest (the organisation that had booked the whole park).

[naz_nomad]

Think I'll book a 'satanists only' day ...see how far that gets me

[butterfly23]

I don't really see why this event is being seens racist or sexist. As others have said Alton Towers has been hired privately for this purpose, so it is not expecting non-muslims to conform to the dress code, or to refrain from alcohol, or eat halal food.

You say that it does not aid intergration, but there are many 'muslim only' events are held throughout the coutry are you also saying that they should also be banned?

I personally think that its a great idea, as those people who follow the religion more rigoursly than others can enjoy themselves on a fun day out, without feeling they've compromised thier religion. Why should more strict muslims not be allowed to partake in a days enjoyment at the theme park?

[naz_nomad]

Why can't they just fit in with everyboby else? ....They're the one whos are separating themselves ...we're not doing it

[Scotman84]

I don't have a problem with any people who want to 'book' Alton Towers for the day, but if I had planned a short break nearby and wanted to treat my kids to a great day out (having travelled hundreds of miles) - I would be VERY disappointed to find, on turning up at Alton Towers, that we couldn't get in !! It's not something one thinks about - 'Will a 'national' theme park be closed on that day! I wouldn't fancy having to deal with my kids after getting the news !!

[Dom Tuk]

The problem as i see it will only arise if a non-muslim in the correct muslim attire and code is not allowed to take part in the fun.

The double booking is a different matter and has nothing to do with the muslims who organised this fun day.

[vehelpfulguy]

Abid Hussain of Islamic Leisure says"We're trying to integrate Muslims into the wider community. People can come down and see the way we live".

How is that supposed to happen when non muslims phoning Alton Towers are being refused tickets.

A spokeswoman for AT says "We make no distinction regarding sexuality, religeous, ethnic or lifestyle choices".

Clearly a distinction is being made on all these grounds.

Yes it is a private booking, but a) the Islamic Leisure should not pretend to be making any attempt at integrating into our society. Holding this event and trying to impose their relious 'law' on others is doing exactly the opposite.
b) The wedding couple should be allowed to go ahead with their wedding plans, with no islamic conditions imposed on them, or, receive huge compensation for having their day ruined.

[Lonnie]

As I understand it, a couple had booked their wedding day there BEFORE the Muslims booked their day, but they have been told that they are welcome to go, providing they fit in with the Muslim rules and regulations.

This is blatently not fair, and I think they are being discriminated against.

[noxlumos]

As far as I can see it the fault lies entirely with Alton Towers as they should not have agreed to take the booking from the muslims if it was already booked to someone else.AT should also not have agreed to any dress regulation for any non muslim attending ( ie the wedding party) which I assume forms some sort of part of their contract. I don't see the Muslims are at fault here, but AT certainly are and I'm pretty sure that the couple will be able to sue AT with regards to their ruined day, which if it was me I would definatly do, but this is NOT a racial/religious thing, it's just a case of bad business practice.

[Lonnie]

Agreed Nox, I never made it clear, and I apologise for that, its definately A.Ts fault, and like you, I wouldn't take it lying down, its A.Ts that are practicing discrimination.

[dot.hawkes]

I wonder how many people will purposefully turn up on that day to try to get in?