A water park which banned men and unIslamic clothing at a ‘Muslim sisters only’ event in August 2015 is staging a similar event this year. But a ‘burkini’ event in France planned for September has just been cancelled. (see below)
PRAYER AREA IN 2015
The park, Water World in Stoke-on-Trent, promised a ‘designated prayer area’ and blacked-out windows with only female staff on duty on 9th August 2015.
In a statement on its Facebook page, a spokesman for WaterWorld said the Muslim Sisters Only event would ‘attract ladies of all religions/beliefs as we invite you to visit our facility and enjoy its features whilst having the option of wearing attire that our normal operating procedures prevent’.
‘AMAZING DAY AFTER EID’ IN 2014
But a similar event two years ago advertised on Facebook said ‘Saturday 2nd August 2014 in-shaa-Allah Have an Amazing day after Eid with your family or friends at Waterworld.’ A coach was laid on from Birmingham for the ‘Muslim Sisters Only’ event priced at £12.99.
SPLASH FOR GAZA
And on Saturday 7th May this year, Waterworld staged a ‘Splash for Gaza – Sisters Only‘. It isn’t known if this was intended to raise funds for terrorist group Hamas.
This year, 2016, the summer event is being held on Saturday 27th August. The price has risen to £15.00. That’s inflation for you.
WaterWorld owner Mo Chaudry said: ‘I’m astonished that we have been targeted. We feel we’ve been victimised for offering something that we feel there is a demand for.’
‘LAZY JOURNALISM’
A Facebook post dated 14th June 2016, a year to the day after the Sunday Express broke the story in 2015, said: ‘Here at Water World we want to reassure people that we do not ban any type of swimwear or people from our premises. We are a friendly and welcoming Aqua Park that accepts all cultures and religions.
‘Anything that has been reported in the press or circulated around social media is totally false information and lazy journalism.’
All references to the ‘Sisters Only’ event had been erased. Nor is there any reference to the event on the waterworld.co.uk website, not even under ‘Special Events’. You will only find it on Muslim websites, like localmuslimevents.com.
FRENCH BURKINI EVENT CANCELLED
It’s not just the UK. A waterpark near the French city of Marseille was booked by Muslim women for 10th September to wear ‘burkinis’.
The event was cancelled by the French waterpark today. They said the decision had been taken to preserve public order which was being endangered by ‘extreme ideological positions’.
The ‘burkini day’ was criticised by conservative politicians who argued it contravened ‘legally-enshrined secular values’.
The United Kingdom has a constitution, expressed in the Coronation Oath, with legally-enshrined Christian values. It is because politicians in our land have failed to uphold those standards and the church has failed to hold them to account that Islam is advancing. It is time for our nation, post-Brexit, to repent and seek the Lord.
Deuteronomy 28:47 Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; 48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. 49 The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; 50 A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: 51 And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.
It isn’t a nation coming in judgment, it is a faith, but the results will be the same, until we honour the Lord again in this United Kingdom. Christian men in particular need to stand up now for King Jesus:
Find out how to join Christian Voice and stand up for the King of kings (clicking on the link below does not commit you to join)
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I agree, “Christian men, in particular, need to stand up now for King Jesus”.
so what should “Christian men” do in this particular case under discussion? picket the water park in question?
Some Muslims believe that western swimwear, particularly bikinis, is wrong, and that women should be more completely covered even on beaches.
But this was precisely the position taken by Christian Voice when it recommended special Christian swimsuits, in a prolonged discussion starting on 2nd July 2013 .
https://www.christianvoice.org.uk/index.php/the-evolution-of-the-swimsuit/#comment-466487
Of course, the recommended Christian swimsuit was not identical to the burkini, but it would be amazing if it was. As the article (“The Evolution of the Swimsuit”) makes very clear, fashions have changed enormously over the years and from place to place. I don’t see any harm in this. Toplessness is still to be found on French Mediterranean beaches this year, as well as the more common burkini and the much more common bikini, which Christian Voice slammed as immoral in 2013. What do you prescribe for women now ?
It is rather amusing seeing French police telling women to ‘get ’em off’, is it not?
Overlaid with that is the religio-cultural statement Muslim women are making.
Robin was right though, a bit more modesty on the beach would not come amiss.
But come on, Jessica Rey’s swimsuits are not remotely ‘burkini’style. They are simple one-or-two-piece designs, covering the tummy but leaving legs and arms uncovered.
No activist Muslim woman would dress like that.
Yes, I agree with you. I always thought that Jessica Rey’s expensive Christian swimsuits were not very different from any other one-piece swimsuit.
Whatever happened to Robin ? You seem to be on your own now.
Somebody parodied the French police approach as: “Excuse me madam, you aren’t naked enough”.
It certainly is a very strange situation. I was there myself, and being very sensitive to the sun and chilly after swimming, I often wore a shirt and a hat, sometimes even trousers. I did wonder what my own position was under French law. Then there were devout French Roman Catholics (presumably) out for a hike and dressed accordingly, but routing it along the beach next to the sea, river or lake. I don’t think anybody reported them to the police or to the army (who were very much in evidence in the centre of larger town and at spots like the Pont du Gard, always in groups of four and patrolling backwards and forwards predictably in a fixed formation, usually a square). I would have felt happier without the army, actually, because their Kalashnikov type weapons seemed best suited to spraying everyone with bullets, and I would have preferred it if they hadn’t. Just a simple discreet British marksman shooting the right man is more practical. They also had vans (ambulances ?) painted red, and with the words “Véhicule de Secours et d’Assistance aux Victimes”. I just didn’t find this reassuring. Perhaps it’s just me.
I was perfectly happy with the modesty as it was. Human nature being what it is, it was very easy to ignore the bikinis completely, and play “spot the topless”, a small minority now (of various ages) but always present. They don’t do any harm, and the locals don’t take any notice. It’s a perfectly decent Catholic state, not like a burkini, is it ?
Firstly, I refer to Mark’s comment about “what should Christian men do in this particular case under discussion.”
I appreciate it was a provocative remark to make and I apologise for echoing Stephen’s words. Obviously, there is not much ‘Christian men’ can do in this situation – I certainly don’t think picketing is the answer to this. I suppose I made the comment because of my exasperation regarding the lack of Christian men I see, standing up for Christian values – as can be perhaps seen in the imbalance in our churches – the lack of men attending church, if nothing else. That is not to say that ‘Christian women’ are without fault – far from it, in my view.
I’m sorry Stephen, but I cannot agree with your comment about it being rather amusing seeing French police telling women to “get ’em off”.
It was provocative of the woman to wear a burkini swimsuit and was clearly not just about covering up from the sun, but was a religious statement, in a country that has recently endured muslim terrorist acts. However, seeing a woman on a beach, surrounded by about 4 burly policeman, being ordered to remove clothing is absolutely not amusing.
I personally think this situation has been escalating for some while now. When France banned the burka a number of years ago now, it was clear to me that there would be severe problems further down the line. Whilst I do understand that muslim women should, in certain circumstances, remove their face covering, to force a complete ban was deeply disrespectful and ‘asking for trouble’ and trouble is what we’ve now got. No doubt, this has the potential to escalate further at some point unless there is a degree of respect – on both sides.
I had to laugh…… after my last comment, I read the Daily Mail and apparently, France’s Prime Minister contrasted those who show off an ample naked bosom with muslims wearing headscarves.
He apparently claimed that Marianne, the mythical Goddess of Liberty who represents the French Republic had the right idea. He apparently said “Marianne has a naked breast because she is feeding the people! She is not veiled, because she is free! That is the Republic!” Well……what to say!
According to the article, the ban on burkinis on the beach has been lifted.
Yes, Helen, the burkini is definitely a provocative action, amongst many others, designed to further the islamisation of the West. They use our liberal freedoms against us. Secularism is not strong enough to resist islam, a revived Christianity might have a chance, but there is no sign of that. As things are going, the West will be muslim-majority within a generation, with falling Western birth rates, high birth rates amongst muslims (part of their strategy), together with muslim immigration. Already, politicians put career before country by courting the muslim vote, they are already an important voting bloc. Ed Miliband proposed a law against “islamophobia” (ie criminalising criticism of islam), as he saw his poll numbers drop. The situation is indeed dire, all we can do is pray for the Lord to have mercy, as I believe He did with the Brexit vote. Personally I don’t believe that Britons currently alive deserve much, perhaps He did it because of our past Christian heritage.
As for “where are the Christian men?”, I apologise if my reply to you was itself somewhat provocative. However, the few “Christian men” are probably where the “Christian women” are: huddling in their “church” buildings!!
This is all rather depressing, but I agree with a lot of what you say.
I had a muslim friend who had her phone alarm set to blare out the ‘call to prayer’ five times a day. I had no idea of this until it went off whilst sitting next to her on a tube. She didn’t bat an eyelid.
Soon, we won’t even have our church buildings. Most have been turned into luxury flats, pubs. The ones that remain seem to have dire repair needs such as leaky roofs, and financial difficulties or they have amalgamated with other services in order to survive financially. It is not unusual to walk into a church and not know where the actual church area is ie one has to navigate a café, computer area and even a GP surgery. I was in London the other day and walked into a open church to take the opportunity to pray. I had to walk through a café to get to the worship area. When I sat in the pews, there were sofas on the side with people working on laptops and a couple of ladies in conversation at a table and chairs at the back. The music from the radio from the café finally made me get up and leave.
A couple of years ago, the grief of what is happening to our churches hit me really hard and continues to have its impact.
Because I am embroiled in a dispute with my local church, I only attend that church infrequently. I subsequently study and pray on my own, or intermittently visit other local churches. What I see stuns, saddens and angers me.
I personally refuse to “huddle” in a church building. I am appalled at our Christian heritage – witch hunts and crusades spring to mind and I can understand why people are sceptical, wary and downright antagonistic to the Christian faith and don’t want anything to do with it. Unfortunately, these people throw the baby out with the bathwater. Yes, our churches need a complete overhaul and need challenging and changing, but not to have any recourse to church buildings, Christian faith and worship, and for that to be overcome by mega mosques etc doesn’t bear thinking about.
When I was expressing my sadness at yet another church building disappearing and being sold up to a woman on the bus, she said at least the building was going to good use. I disagreed with her – I would rather have a run down church on display to at least remind us of what we’ve lost, than have that obliterated completely, replaced by say, a discount store, gambling institution or nightclub.
Thank you for your apology.
” Most [church buildings] have been turned into luxury flats, pubs.”
That is just not true, is it ?
Have you any figures to back it up ?
I think it was those that have become disused have been turned into …
I am even more concerned with those turned in mosques, frankly.
No, I do not have figures to back this up.
“Yes, it was those that have become disused have been turned into…..” but, from where I’m standing, more and more churches are becoming disused or struggling financially.
Even in my immediate locality, there are luxury flats where a chapel once stood, one disused church boarded up and at least two churches who have complained about leaky roofs and financial difficulty. Also, in my locality is a church which has a internet café come GP surgery.
I agree, I would not like these buildings to be turned into mosques.
I don’t quite see the problem . If the church is no longer required as a church, why shouldn’t the site be used for housing, even for luxury flats if that is appropriate for the area ? Presumably the denomination which ran the disused church would profit from that. It seems better than having it a boarded up church, or a ruined church, or wasteland.
“Ruined church” sounds nice perhaps, like “ruined abbey”, but if it was a building of historic value (almost certainly Anglican) it would be taken over and preserved before it became ruined.
It’s market forces, I’m afraid. If the churches don’t bring in enough customers paying an economic price, they will be in financial difficulty. Perhaps there are too many small churches in your area. I know one part of London where there are several obscure churches occupying separate units on an industrial estate. That is not viable.
There is nothing wrong with pubs. The temperance movement associated itself with Christianity, but Jesus did not discourage drinking wine.
I don’t like being asked for facts to back my comment up – I should imagine it was clear that this was my personal perspective – it would be highly unlikely that I would have conducted a full scale research project into this.
Interestingly, I saw Joyce Meyer on TBN last night who said she’s heard that more churches are “closing down than are being built.” If we can’t have a discussion about this without it turning into unpleasant bickering, then it is a poor reflection of Christianity.
God bless.
Rox isn’t a Christian, Helen, he’s a troll who is just winding you up. Ignore him.
Thank you Stephen.
I appreciate you don’t see the problem.
I don’t believe it is just “market forces”. To me, it is a tangible sign of the decline of our faith and what we have allowed to happen.
I understand the issue of customers paying an economic price etc. Unfortunately, I don’t believe enough of our Priests and church officials had/have enough understanding of the business side of running a church and hence, the ‘businesses’ are failing. To me, that is devastating – although perhaps, that is too strong a word. Perhaps, something else will take its place.
As an organisation, we had land and buildings – to me these are being slowly eroded. On the whole, I believe people need to get together in a large building in order to worship and study etc. Without the premises, the practice of Christianity, is likely to decline further.
I don’t want to see a “historic building” – I would like to see Church buildings thronging with people.
I never actually said there was anything wrong with pubs. I have no problem at all with the use of alcohol, with some obvious restrictions.
Although I mentioned my locality, I have in fact moved from London in the last two years and still travel a fair bit on the bus around London and I have observed the same dynamic in London. In fact, the church I mentioned in my previous comment with people on laptops and chatting over a cappuccino, with the radio from the café filtering through, was, a church in London.
Just because you personally don’t see a problem, doesn’t mean to say there isn’t one.
I don’t want to start an argument, guys, and it may seem strange that I am defending Rox, he has certainly wound me up greatly in the past (I still shudder when I think of our “exchange” on what the qoran says, or, according to Rox, doesn’t say), but I don’t get the impression that he is a troll ie is deliberately provocative and likes winding people up.
I get the impression, perhaps I’m wrong, that he has a challenged relationship with reality.
I would advise caution in getting into a discussion/argument with him, especially if you have problems with blood pressure. I would advise, as in all things, being led by the Spirit.
But yes, he is certainly no Christian (yet). Perhaps his presence on this site will help him along his spiritual journey, if indeed he is interested in taking one.
I would just like to add that, of course, as a Christian site, we should be hospitable, welcoming and open to all, if at all possible.
I would also like to echo Helen in thanking Stephen for when he interceded and put me out of my misery in my own prolonged debate with our friend Rox on the quran (sorry, really can’t bring myself to put a capital “q”): I had a heart pacemaker fitted last year, quite possibly the “debate” contributed to my need for it.
Only joking (but I did have a pacemaker fitted).