Father and son banned from council swimming
pool for not being Muslims
A stunned dad and his little boy were banned from swimming at a popular
public sports centre -
because they
are not Muslims!
The man, known only as David T, and his 10-year-old son were stopped
from going into the pool at Clissold Leisure Centre in Stoke Newington,
East London.
Last night embarrassed management at the complex said staff were wrong
to turn customers away from the designated 'men-only Muslim modesty
session' on Sunday morning.
The council says the special early-morning get-togethers are aimed at
community groups who have strict rules on segregation.
(what
other groups we ask?)
But the dad and his lad were prevented from swimming when they turned
up at 9am on Sunday.
David T said: "I arrived at the pool to discover that they were holding
what staff described to me as 'Muslim men-only swimming'.
"I asked whether my son and I could go as we were both male. I was told
that the session was for Muslims only and that we could not be admitted.
"I asked to speak to the duty manager, who confirmed that this was the
case."
He added: "I asked what would happen if I turned up and insisted I was
Muslim.
"The manager suggested that they might ask the Muslims swimming if they
minded my son and I swimming with them.
"If they didn't object, we might be
allowed in."
The men-only modesty swimming sessions take place every Sunday from 8am
to 9.30am.
Swimming fun - but not in Stoke
Newington where its Muslims only!
|
Two websites have been advertising the sessions for Muslim men only.
But a leisure centre spokesman said staff were out of order to refuse
people entry for being non-Muslim.
He said: "The member of staff the user spoke with at the time was
mistaken when referring to the session as Muslim only.
"The men's modesty session is not a private hire and is, therefore,
open to the public. Muslim men and others can attend.
"Staff cannot ask your religion on entrance and you won't be refused
entry if you don't appear to be Muslim."
So why weren't they admitted then???
