Sharia Law coming to swimming pools in Australia

bhavv · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:33

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vi...xt-years-ramadan/story-e6frf7kx-1225924291675

A PLAN to force families to cover up to avoid offending Muslims at a public event has triggered furious debate.

VCAT has approved a ban on uncovered shoulders and thighs for a community event to be held at the Dandenong Oasis, a municipal pool.

"Participants aged 10 and over must ensure their bodies are covered from waist to knee and the entire torso extending to the upper arms," a request by Dandenong City Council and the YMCA states in an exemption application to the Equal Opportunities Act.

The request has been approved by VCAT and applies to a family event to be held at the pool next August.

"The applicant intends this to be an event where people of all races and religions and ages may attend, use the Centre's facilities and socialise together," VCAT notes.

"The holy month of Ramadan has a particular focus on families and the applicant wishes to encourage families to attend and socialise together with others.

"The minimum dress requirements are set having regard to the sensitivities of Muslims who wish to participate in the event."

This will be fun. Very very fun

paradigm · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:35

Send them back?

Pathetic that this should even be considered, let alone put into action.

Gornall · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:38

paradigm said:
Send them back?

Pathetic that this should even be considered, let alone put into action.

It is so medieval of cultures and races to inflict and impose their beliefs and expectances on other groups.

Greenlizard0 · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:39

paradigm said:
Send them back?

Pathetic that this should even be considered, let alone put into action.

Didn't take long for one to appear.

Two Islamic sources within that article didn't really approve of the clothing rule + over zealous council authority = people foaming at the mouth + blaming Muslims anyway.

'Winterval' anybody?

Edit - thong means flipflops?

V4NT0M · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:40

I gather VCAT stands for Virtual Cat?

Bill101 · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:43

Imagine the fun to be had at the London Olympics which take place during Ramadan :-)

bhavv · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:43

There are far too many things called VCAT to find exactly what it is, but I'm trying to find it.

Bill101 said:
Imagine the fun to be had at the London Olympics which take place during Ramadan

I wonder if I could go into a mosque during ramadan with a pork sandwich and start eating.

Just wondering, my brain is built to think like that. I definately wouldnt like to find out however.

Redrum · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:48

It's fairly ridiculous because they say it's to make Muslims feel part of the community, but surely it has the opposite effect - they are not integrated into the community because they need special rules at a community event for them to even be able to attend.

But, it sounds like a problem with political correctness rather than Muslims, because there is no mention in the article about any Muslims actually asking for this rule, but there are in fact quotes from prominent Muslims stating they disagree with it.

bhavv · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:51

Yea, I blame the VCAT thing for it. They made the decision.

And political correctness.

Dutch Guy · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:53

Integration will never happen, it's time that we all accept that integration just will not work and we should not spend more time and money to enforce it.

If I was a woman I would find the smallest bikini (or piece of string) and go there wearing that.

rallyfan1986 · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:55

bhavv said:
There are far too many things called VCAT to find exactly what it is, but I'm trying to find it.

I wonder if I could go into a mosque during ramadan with a pork sandwich and start eating.

Just wondering, my brain is built to think like that. I definately wouldnt like to find out however.

Hog roast ***.

At least you'll get into the pool quicker, straight through the front door into the pool, no need for the changing room

Greenlizard0 · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:56

Dutch Guy said:
If I was a fit woman I would find the smallest bikini (or piece of string) and go there wearing that.

Please, don't be unreasonable.

rallyfan1986 · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:56

bhavv said:
There are far too many things called VCAT to find exactly what it is, but I'm trying to find it.

I wonder if I could go into a mosque during ramadan with a pork sandwich and start eating.

Just wondering, my brain is built to think like that. I definately wouldnt like to find out however.

rallyfan1986 said:
Hog roast ***.

At least you'll get into the pool quicker, straight through the front door into the pool, no need for the changing room

why is f_t_w starred out?

craptakular · 17 Sep 2010 at 08:59

Is there any country in the world that doesn't pamper to muslim's?

Also 15 yrs ago I swear people weren't calling them "Muslims" as a generic-term, they were "Arabs", "indian's", "Saudi's", "iraqi's" "Turks" etc etc etc.

Why has the media/society now scoop them all up and call them all "muslims"?

I'm British, not European or "Christian"... I don't get it, the Asian/Middle Eastern world is full of different cultures and religions, yet why are they all called "muslims"....

bhavv · 17 Sep 2010 at 09:00

Dutch Guy said:
If I was a woman I would find the smallest bikini (or piece of string) and go there wearing that.

Just have some guts, find a man thong, and go there Borat style!

You know you want to.

Oxy said:
Also 15 yrs ago I swear people weren't calling them "Muslims" as a generic-term, they were "Arabs", "indian's", "Saudi's", "iraqi's" "Turks" etc etc etc.

Why has the media/society now scoop them all up and call them all "muslims"?

Because they are referring to 'Muslims', meaning people who follow Islam? Just being any of those races you mentioned doesnt make a person a Muslim.

MonkeyNews · 17 Sep 2010 at 09:02

To be fair this article has blown it all out of proportion, its states that the imposed 'cover up' will happen for 2 hours when the pool is closed to the public, and when its normally used by a Muslin swimming group anyway. Cant see it offending anyone if thats the case? :confused:

Its a case of a newspaper causing hysteria where it could easily be avoided.

craptakular · 17 Sep 2010 at 09:06

But I wouldn't want to be referred to as "Christian" just because some government files say I am.

Just seems like religion has taken over... I just feel our society and values are crumbling in all directions. It's a sad state of affairs when you can't even go swimming without being fully clothed. If I was an Aussie in that competition I would sue for a breach of human rights or something...

Cosimo · 17 Sep 2010 at 09:07

Dutch Guy said:
If I was a woman I would find the smallest bikini (or piece of string) and go there wearing that.

If I was a bloke I would go in there showing my pork.

Greenlizard0 · 17 Sep 2010 at 09:08

MonkeyNews said:
To be fair this article has blown it all out of proportion, its states that the imposed 'cover up' will happen for 2 hours when the pool is closed to the public, and when its normally used by a Muslin swimming group anyway. Cant see it offending anyone if thats the case?

Its a case of a newspaper causing hysteria where it could easily be avoided.

Ssh, don't let that stop people. :rolleyes:

OP is right, thread is pretty funny.

bhavv · 17 Sep 2010 at 09:08

MonkeyNews said:
To be fair this article has blown it all out of proportion, its states that the imposed 'cover up' will happen for 2 hours when the pool is closed to the public, and when its normally used by a Muslin swimming group anyway. Cant see it offending anyone if thats the case?

Its a case of a newspaper causing hysteria where it could easily be avoided.

Why should exposed shoulders and legs even be banned for two hours because Muslims are using the Swimming pool? Surely if its for such a short amount of time, this VCAT thing shouldnt even bother to get involved?

If Hindus decided to hold a 2 hour religious party in a Mcdonalds restaurant, should the restaurant be banned from selling any beef products during that time? I would really hope not.