So when are you going to adopt Sharia Law

[Bundy]

Dear me, what has the empire come to.

Compulsory fasting for all | Stephen Pollard - Times Online

 

[Scottoffee]

For the duration of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, they are, he told them - every one of them, Muslim, Catholic, Jew or atheist - to behave during council meetings as strict Muslims

During council meetings. They're requesting that a bunch of councillers don't eat/drink during council meetings - hardly much to ask and a lot of working environments already enforce such rules on their staff during high-level meetings anyway.

Hardly trying to enforce things on the general populus as the alarmist headline might suggest.

I know for a fact that in the majority of Islamic countries, we Christians still get days off for Christmas and New Year (different calender) etc and as a kid I always had breaks at Easter, Queens B-day etc.

Can't see anything wrong with having the sense, understanding and decency to think about the wellbeing of our peers.

 

[gordonjblair]

yep, fair call, would be a bit harsh in a meeting, poor buggers are starving and you're sat there for an hour and a half chucking pies down yer gob

Bearing in mind that a number of councillors would need to break for prayer at sunset, the mandatory break makes sense and formalising it makes it less awkward for all concerned.

It's a pity that the council's got to the stage that it couldn't rely on people's common decency to do the right thing anyway, but there you go.

Am guessing Stephen Pollard will be submitting his transfer request for a move from the Times to the Daily (Hate)Mail any day now

 

[Nebbiolo]

Sorry above, but religion to me is a private affair and not to be given any special privilege in a work environment, particularly one in which many individuals will be offended that they are expected to honour something which they may feel is preposterous. I've no problem with sensitivity and allowing for cultural expression but I have every problem with being forced into following certain ceremonies or practices. This is wrong, in my honest opinion.

 

[Ramone]

Sorry above, but religion to me is a private affair and not to be given any special privilege in a work environment, particularly one in which many individuals will be offended that they are expected to honour something which they may feel is preposterous. I've no problem with sensitivity and allowing for cultural expression but I have every problem with being forced into following certain ceremonies or practices. This is wrong, in my honest opinion.

Hear Hear that man!! We have special buildings dedicated to all this mindless grovelling and sycophantic behaviour..they are called Churches ( or Mosques, Synagogues or what ever your preferred choice of brain washing takes your fancy)

Leave religion at the door . Much the way you should your political views and other bigotries. Do your job, go home and then pray to your god or go to a sanctified place of worship where you can enjoy the company of others with similar views and opinions. Much the way I'd never go to Anfield in a full Duncan Ferguson replica kit and mask and sit on the Kop and start to preach to them about how they are a mentally stunted team with hoards of fans who couldn't find Liverpool on a map never mind even set foot in the ground!

This is England, and whilst people are here, either living or merely just visiting they should abide by this countries customs and laws. If not, I'm going to go over to the Middle East and open up a chain of Bargin Booze's and see how they like it ..so there!

 

[SuitsBlue]

Hear Hear that man!! We have special buildings dedicated to all this mindless grovelling and sycophantic behaviour..they are called Churches ( or Mosques, Synagogues or what ever your preferred choice of brain washing takes your fancy)

Leave religion at the door . Much the way you should your political views and other bigotries. Do your job, go home and then pray to your god or go to a sanctified place of worship where you can enjoy the company of others with similar views and opinions. Much the way I'd never go to Anfield in a full Duncan Ferguson replica kit and mask and sit on the Kop and start to preach to them about how they are a mentally stunted team with hoards of fans who couldn't find Liverpool on a map never mind even set foot in the ground!

This is England, and whilst people are here, either living or merely just visiting they should abide by this countries customs and laws. If not, I'm going to go over to the Middle East and open up a chain of Bargin Booze's and see how they like it ..so there!

cant tell if you did that on purpose.

being sensitive to peoples beliefs and cultures is nothing new, in this instance, the principal is right - but the method seems to be wrong.

 

[Cal]

They can shove it up their arse, as far as i'm concerned. This is my country.

 

[Ramone]

cant tell if you did that on purpose.

being sensitive to peoples beliefs and cultures is nothing new, in this instance, the principal is right - but the method seems to be wrong.

Nah, The tongue was firmly in one's cheek sir . I tolerate even in the intolerable

 

[Nebbiolo]

I wonder if it is the case that many, probably the majority of, Muslims would think this directive equally unsound? It is often the social engineers that make a fuss about these things, rather than the so-called minority group itself.

 

[Robert Jarvis]

The workplace is for working if some want to munch on pies so be it if others do not or decline to munch that is their choice. I do not see why their religous requirements should be imposed on others of a different denomination. Muslims only make up a very small proportion of the population of this country, I do not see why the tail should wag the dog in this and many other matters.

 

[Seamus Colemole]

I wonder if it is the case that many, probably the majority of, Muslims would think this directive equally unsound? It is often the social engineers that make a fuss about these things, rather than the so-called minority group itself.

Well it does say in the article that its some idiot who has let a little bit of power go right to his head :

As almost always, it is a caricature liberal-left non-Muslim idiot who thinks he is being racially aware who does the real harm to race relations

This has nothing to do with Muslims trying to force other people to follow their beliefs.

 

[Cardinal Albert Simon]

I don't have a problem with it during council meetings. I think it's a fair enough request to try and make what is undoubtedly a difficult time a little easier. One of my best friends in school was a Muslim and I know he can't have enjoyed spending breaks in the school canteen when he wasn't allowed to eat. Like someone said, I think it's just a decent thing to do. Perhaps it shouldn't be compulsory, but I don't see why it would be a problem.

Obviously if this were on a wider, grander scale, I'd have a problem with it, but I think it's a fairly decent example. After all, I'd rather we were tolerant of other people's beliefs and willing to work with other people rather than against them, lest we have some lunatic, xenophobic BNP-loving madman in charge.

 

[Nebbiolo]

I don't have a problem with it during council meetings. I think it's a fair enough request to try and make what is undoubtedly a difficult time a little easier. One of my best friends in school was a Muslim and I know he can't have enjoyed spending breaks in the school canteen when he wasn't allowed to eat. Like someone said, I think it's just a decent thing to do. Perhaps it shouldn't be compulsory, but I don't see why it would be a problem.

Obviously if this were on a wider, grander scale, I'd have a problem with it, but I think it's a fairly decent example. After all, I'd rather we were tolerant of other people's beliefs and willing to work with other people rather than against them, lest we have some lunatic, xenophobic BNP-loving madman in charge.

I think the point is that this directive seemed to be intolerant. It basically implied that people not obeying Muslim law during council meetings in Ramadan would not be tolerated. Why? To me this is a piece of anti-individualist nonesense. And like Death pointed out, this appears to be the whim of white, middle-class liberal, not a group that feels persecuted. To regard this as absurd in no way comes near to desiring a "lunatic, BNP-loving madman" to be in charge of council affairs. In fact, this has nothing to do with race and everything to do with power over others, of the council trying to recreate the workforce into a specific image.

I just fail to see why anyone would think this is somehow about showing respect to others. It isn't, it disrespects the individual's right to choose and it disrespects Muslims by resorting to this weird and patronising paternalism.

 

[coyney]

I think the point is that this directive seemed to be intolerant. It basically implied that people not obeying Muslim law during council meetings in Ramadan would not be tolerated. Why? To me this is a piece of anti-individualist nonesense. And like Death pointed out, this appears to be the whim of white, middle-class liberal, not a group that feels persecuted. To regard this as absurd in no way comes near to desiring a "lunatic, BNP-loving madman" to be in charge of council affairs. In fact, this has nothing to do with race and everything to do with power over others, of the council trying to recreate the workforce into a specific image.

I just fail to see why anyone would think this is somehow about showing respect to others. It isn't, it disrespects the individual's right to choose and it disrespects Muslims by resorting to this weird and patronising paternalism.

I agree with you Neb,it also gives the moronic BNP a chance to highlight the "we are being taken over" mindset I remember being in Burnley when a bit of bother broke out between the local lads and those who are Muslims in next to no-time the where guys in the pubs trying to stir it .

 

[Ramone]

mmmm Sharia law... sounds like a very nice girl from a Vegas strip joint!! Niiiice.