What is Digg?349 Comments
- iam413x, on 10/12/2007, -16/+121Yeah, it is strange that non-Muslims are not allowed in. I think this action is going past accommodating religion to segregation.
My personal opinion: Muslims need to wash their feet before prayer and moist towelettes are a whole lot more economical than the construction a special bathroom. - LACHRYMIST, on 10/12/2007, -50/+120Why do Muslims flee their ***** countries to come to everyone else's and try to change those countries in the same way? Seriously. Stay in your own country if you want to live like you did in that country. We should all try to move to the middle east and install Christian churches and Christian only bathrooms. I'm getting so sick of this *****. The 30% of Muslims that suck, sure do make it hard on the ones that are normal.
- damonic, on 10/12/2007, -11/+81I worked in a building with a restroom that was shared with a Muslim run business. Let me tell you that its best that they have their own restrooms. They have some pretty far-out rituals that they must preform before they pray. This one guy told me that they dont use toilet paper - they have to rinse themselves with the toilet water. He would take a jar into the stall, fill it up before he did his duty, and then rinse his ass with the water.
He also explained (in too much detail) about how they have to completely wash their bodies before they kneel and pray. They pray many times throughout the day. And this was not a restroom that had a shower - I walked in on this guy numerous times washing himself in the sink! There was always water all over the floor. Honestly, I would have preferred it if they had their own private bathroom... - otheruser, on 10/12/2007, -22/+89Ugh, alright, American-Muslim here, I'll be answering your questions.
1) This is NOTHING new. Many major universities have special bathrooms for Muslims in the religious chapels (mine does) because of numerous complaints regarding slipper floors, which create a MAJOR hazard. It's smarter to create a separate bathroom than to settle in some mutli-million dollar lawsuit.
2) Muslims are required to have Wudu before praying. Toilet paper has nothing to do with anything. How in hell would it be banned in the religion if it wasn't invented back then!? Anyways, the Wudu ritual requires washing of the hands, mouth, nose, face, hair (and neck), arms, and feet. The last part causes the most conflict with outside observers, as it is both messy (water gets everywhere) and very odd.
3) School clubs and associations are alloted funds as per request/application. Ever heard of "XYZ" Organization having an office? - thepeacemaker, on 10/12/2007, -15/+69It all makes sense except for the "secret push button code" part. The article does not talk about why non-muslims are not allowed in, not that there is any feasible way to tell non-muslims apart simply by appearance. I would actually welcome such a facility because it sure beats seeing people sticking their foot into a sink which by the way can be an accident waiting to happen for the person doing it ...assuming they can lift their foot that high without tearing their pants in all the wrong places.
- mistarojaz, on 10/12/2007, -6/+59***** i wanna use the football players' weight room at school, they have better equipment
- nixonrichard, on 10/12/2007, -8/+50"Get over it people"
We did get over it . . . decades ago . . . when we ended segregation.
Yeah, I think it's fine that they accommodate people with special needs if they commonly use those facilities, but why lock everybody else out? Because people don't like other people washing their feet in the sink? So put a sign on the door letting people know the sinks might be used for foot washing . . . don't lock everyone else out, let them choose. Accommodating is great, but don't accommodate to the point of segregation. We don't even have locks on the doors of men's/women's bathrooms to keep out the opposite sex, why are locks necessary in this case? - cablefish, on 10/12/2007, -14/+55why have separate washrooms? Why not upgrade the existing ones to accommodate everyone? This is totally a step in the wrong direction. Soon we'll all have separate entrances and drinking fountains. again.
- synystar, on 10/12/2007, -20/+53Intolerant people need to learn that they don't deserve *****. Their opinions doesn't deserve to be given any credence. Their beliefs don't deserve any respect.
La Trobe spent money on washrooms to attract and keep Muslim students. They also spent money to build a Christian chapel and meeting rooms to attract and keep Muslim students. If a student is offended they can choose another school. The Christian Union VP said ""It's part of their religion, they need to wash in a special way before they pray." I'm not Christian or Muslim and I don't pay to go to school at La Trobe. Sounds to to me like people are expending way too much energy being pissed off about ***** that really doesn't make a difference in their own lives. Might as well bitch about the Dean getting the parking spot closest to the door. - Rocksea24, on 10/12/2007, -2/+31Couldn't they just put a small pool or a foot shower like they have at beaches in existing bathrooms? And why shouldn't I be allowed to wash my feet in their special sinks? I'm just saying, my feet get sweaty too....
- nixonrichard, on 10/12/2007, -0/+24I was recently in Istanbul and all the mosques there had rows of foot showers along the outside wall. No door locks necessary.
- Daiken, on 10/12/2007, -31/+55Does it bother anyone else that "inboxnews" seems to only submit articles portraying primarily immigrants and other minorities in a bad light? Not to mention I've found some of his articles to be heavily biased and only telling part of the story...
- BasharTeg, on 10/12/2007, -3/+21@ahawks:
"It's a free market and a free country. If somebody wants to build a bathroom to cater to a certain group of people, then that's their business."
By your logic, racists in the south should be allowed to make whites only bathrooms and water fountains. Why should Muslims be allowed to make Muslim only bathrooms, but whites shouldn't be allowed to make whites only bathrooms? Is discrimination on the basis of religion better than discrimination of the basis of race?
As to those who believe this university should be allowed to do what it wants to accommodate and attract Muslims, firstly, tell me there is no local, state, or federal government spending or special tax breaks for this university, and secondly even if the university is 100% private funded, tell me why private businesses are forbidden to discriminate on the basis of race or religion, but universities are not.
This is simply a double standard. If this were a case of a making a special white man's bathroom, or Christians making a special Christians only bathroom (I am confident anyone is welcome in the Christians' bathroom, and believe me I have no special love for Christians), or Atheists making a special Atheists only bathroom, we'd be hearing an earful from some new up and coming Muslim rights group about how Muslims should be able to go into any bathroom they wish, and how this is all some new wave of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim "racism". (Which by the way, I love when people describe anti-Muslim bigotry as "racism", as if Islam is a race rather than a religion.)
I don't hate Muslims. What I do hate is that some Muslims want to come to a secular nation and then teach us all how we need to respect their religious beliefs, rather than them respecting our secular principles. Like the Muslims that threaten violence towards people exercising their freedom of speech in a way that is not compatible with their religion (like Mohamed cartoons). "Westernized" Muslims will tell you that it is not fair to characterize all Muslims by the actions of "few" Muslims, but when so many Muslim religious institutions call for violence against people who do not follow their beliefs, and so many masses of violent Muslims appear rioting on TV in so many different nations, threatening to cause physical harm to a cartoonist, you can understand where all our "Islamophobia" comes from. On top of that, even our nicer "westernized" Muslims want to bring back segregated bathrooms.
How about instead of the rest of us ignoring your desire for segregation and religious discrimination and "going to another university if we don't like it", how about those of you Muslims who don't understand that segregation is illegal (and beyond that it is morally wrong), go to a nation that supports your ridiculous lack of respect for fundamental human rights. If our secular society is not compatible with your religious beliefs, leave. - Tweidle, on 10/12/2007, -3/+18If its a private university they can do what ever the hell they want.
- masamunecyrus, on 10/12/2007, -7/+22To hell with upgrading bathrooms for Muslims. In my opinion, if you accommodate one religion, you must accommodate them all. Thusly, you do not go out of your way for any religion -- if someone wants to practice their beliefs, they can do so and they shouldn't expect special treatment so that they may do so; they should expect an equal opportunity to worship as everyone else. If they expect anything more, then they should expect that people of all other religions get treated the same way.
Only in the rare case that there is a high enough demand to warrant such an absurd request as a new bathroom should the case be granted. And by doing this, you should thusly expect to have to grant requests for other things from other groups, assuming the demand is equally high. - synystar, on 10/12/2007, -8/+21yes... of course I meant Christian chapel for Christian students....
- Rickler, on 10/12/2007, -4/+17@otheruser "Wudu ritual requires washing of the hands, mouth, nose, face, hair (and neck), arms, and feet."
I'm just wondering why you can't just take a shower then go pray up a sweat storm. - masamunecyrus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13In regard to otheruser up above, building a muslim-only bathroom for such rituals is perfectly fine in a religious chapel or other building, as doing so would simply be treating that religion equally, in that case (it is a religious chapel, so it should cater to whatever religion the chapel is for). Building one in a dorm or ordinary university building, however, is just leading down the "slippery slope" of if-you-accommodate-one-belief-then-you-must-accommodate-them-all.
It looks, however, as if this particular bathroom is in a Muslim chapel, as it also mentions that they have a Christian chapel, as well. So I see no problem with this particular bathroom. - ahawks, on 10/12/2007, -8/+20"Religious people need to learn that they don't deserve *****."
You need to realize that no person or group of people is any better than anyone else. That means they're not better than you, and YOU are not better than them. It's a free market and a free country. If somebody wants to build a bathroom to cater to a certain group of people, then that's their business.
Ever been to an elementary school? Notice how the urinals are really really short? Those short people really need to learn they don't deserve *****, huh! - dasluvaluva, on 10/12/2007, -8/+19Because teachers can't wear freakin' crosses around their neck, yet Muslim teachers & students somehow get favoritism?
- Lumiras, on 10/12/2007, -3/+14I think that I'm pretty much going to echo what has been previously said, but I think that this isn't a bad thing.
I do have a bit of a problem with the fact that it's 'Muslims-only'. It should be more like 'Muslim suggested'. Muslims do have many rituals that involve washing and cleanliness, and why should we stop them from doing it? - FyberOptic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11No special bathrooms for anyone. Period. Tis just another example of muslims whining for special privileges, and blaming it on their religion.
- AoiTakuma, on 10/12/2007, -6/+16In my senior year of High School we had a large influx of Muslim students and I remember this one cheerleader complaining because a kid was washing his feet in the water fountain and I thought "Who cares?"
I don't agree with separate washrooms but this isn't happening in America. I do understand the principle behind it. But a question I have is why couldn't the University build a fountain, some form of constant flowing water, near the place where the Muslim students/faculty pray? Am I missing something about that religion? - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11This is a step backward. I am an immigrant from a muslim country (into Australia) and I am personally apalled at the level of arrogance and intolerance displayed by some members of the muslim community here. I couldn't speak English when I arrived, but did not expect the dialect to change just to suit my needs. This is somewhat similar to other acts of intolerance by some (note: some) of the muslim community in Australia:
1. Demanding that swimming pools be closed early to allow only Muslim women to swim.
2. Continued push to have bikinis and revealing swim wear to be outlawed on our beaches (as it offends women of Islam).
Australia is a beautiful country - with its own laws and its own traditions. I knew this before I immigrated. I did not expect Australia to change for me, nor should others. If you made the move voluntarily, then its *your* responsibility to fit into the customs of the country you moved to. - Lumiras, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9@imag
it should be noted that the opinions of one stupid prick do not represent the entire population of America. He is but one of 299,999,999 opinions in this country. He doesn't speak for all of us - rolandde, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Might have been mentioned already, but the obvious solution is just to build a foot-shower in front of the prayer room. The foot-shower is of course payed for by the Muslim community and the room is of course reserved by the Muslim student union.
Problem solved. - Livewire, on 10/12/2007, -7/+16so you've never been to the US?
- phillyjo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9Can we put have an anti muslim bathroom, with security codes to keep them out. Cause im sure they wont mind.
- AReallyGoodName, on 10/12/2007, -6/+14"I was recently in Istanbul and all the mosques there had rows of foot showers along the outside wall. No door locks necessary."
No door locks were nessesary because there is little chance of vandalism at a mosque in Turkey.
Lets face it, you just know some drunken idiot will pee in the foot shower at a university unless you put a lock on it. - Rickler, on 10/12/2007, -4/+12Bring back the white and black bathrooms because they don't affect anyone.
- benijuana, on 10/12/2007, -5/+13No, this is completely unlike the segregated black/white washrooms. Muslims cleanse themselves as part of prayer. This was most likely pretty awkward in your standard university bathroom. Wishing for privacy away from other students gawking, they raised money and had their own washroom built, and put a code on it so it won't be vandalized. Segregated washrooms had a blatant difference in quality. This washroom has a footbath.
So once again... who gives a *****... its a washroom. - Aaryn015, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10Go to any major Mosque and you will see taps (faucets) positioned around and under the building for just his purpose.
The thing is, the washing rituals are very important to Muslims (I'm not Muslim). If they are interrupted, touched or "lose focus" at any time during the exercise, they have to start over. And they have to do this 5 times a day. That's the religion. While I think a locked bathroom is a bit much, it makes sense to give them a place to do this.
At first glance, this story will attract the ire of the ignorant, but there is a lot more to it than just segregating two groups.
@EnergyPolice - You would be one of the ignorant ones I'm referring to above. How about a nice hot cup of shut the ***** up? - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+12muslims need to do 12 jumping jacks, 32 deep knee bends, and 8 squat thrusts, kill 4 infidels, and wash their funny bones, before a prayer, other wise they only get 71 virgins in paradise
- 47knight, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11Where can I get these Muslim Mushrooms you speak of?
- stonedgeek, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Ooops. I just realised I wrote america when the story is in australia. My point stands though.
By the way. I'm an Irish-Australian. There's way more Irish in australia than muslims, but I've yet to see beer on tap in a bathroom. - Daiken, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8I don't think anyone cares for interaction in the washroom...
- thenewmadmax, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7why not just take a shower?
- nanboya, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Interesting read:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467834546&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Islam could soon be the dominant force in a Europe which, in the name of political correctness, has abdicated the battle for cultural and religious control, Prof. Bernard Lewis, the world-renowned Middle Eastern and Islamic scholar, said on Sunday.
The Muslims "seem to be about to take over Europe," Lewis said at a special briefing with the editorial staff of The Jerusalem Post. Asked what this meant for the continent's Jews, he responded, "The outlook for the Jewish communities of Europe is dim." Soon, he warned, the only pertinent question regarding Europe's future would be, "Will it be an Islamized Europe or Europeanized Islam?" - LegalSatire, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8I am tempted to sign up for another digg account just so I can dig you down AGAIN.
- imag, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10Own time? People live on the campus you retard.
- mistarojaz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9when's the last time you helped fund a private university in australia?
- AReallyGoodName, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Of course a simply reserving it for muslim students probably won't stop drunken idiots peeing in it. You'd probably want to put that foot basin in a room protected by a lock and have it reserved for the muslim students who actually need it.
Oh wait... - vhold, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10"A La Trobe University spokesman said the washrooms were established with the advice of senior Muslim religious leaders."
I wish my leaders got me hooked up with pimpin' secret key code facilities so that I don't have to be around those who don't share my views.
But seriously.. uhh.. yea.. Uhm.. Lack of cultural integration sucks. Respecting diversity is pointless if you don't -interact- with those you are being diverse with in an equal way. - theratster, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11Then why not just have a "foot washing room"? It would make a LOT more sense, as that is what is going on in there, and if someone sees someone washing their feet, it'll be no big deal.
And it won't be racist!! - nbcivic, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8i agree, everytime i log on i see another story about muslims doing this and that.
I'm muslim, i understand some things are out of line, but come on, we don't have to defend this ***** all the time. - testcase, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6You are forgiven for your bad English - English is an impossible language, and anyone who can write it at all deserves a lot of leeway.
I get your point, and you do have one. Christians, Jews, Muslims, and indeed all religious groups strive to separate themselves from others, and simultaneously try to get everyone to cater to their psychosis and acknowledge their "specialness" with special treatment. That's how teenagers think, and that's how religious people think.
If you live in a household with a crazy person who insists that you set a place every night at dinner for their imaginary friend, the first time you give into their wishes, you have crossed a line. You are now a "sympathetic" person who is tolerant of that person's delusions. It can only get crazier from there.
When dealing with psychosis, you are not helping the psychotic by agreeing with them that the CIA is beaming signals directly into the implant in their heads. You are only encouraging them and keeping them sick for longer.
We have to stop encouraging psychotics. The correct treatment is to start confronting them with reality;
NO, there is no personal God who has made you his personal business and who will save your ass whenever you do something stupid.
NO, people cannot (yet) be resurrected from the dead after three days.
NO, people do NOT float up into heaven.
NO, you cannot be born from a virgin mother - everyone who has ever lived had a Pappy somewhere, no exceptions!
NO, there is no Hell, and no heavenly reward waiting for you after you die if you just believe a sampler box of *****.
The reality is;
- You should be and do good, not for fear of punishment, but because life is simply better if you do.
- Life is fun, and you are wasting huge ***** chunks of it trying to please a petulant figment of your imagination with maturity and control issues!
Religion is great for alcoholics and drug addicts who are completely burned out and need a crutch, but for intelligent people, it is worse than a waste of time. Shrug it off! Frankly, we need you with your faculties intact, and anyway, we don't want you cooking up fundamentalist plots involving dangerous explosives! Please come back to reality!
And if this wasn't clear enough for you Muslims at Latrobe, NO you cannot have your own bathroom! - vhold, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7"They should have just been Muslim prayer rooms, with codes protecting them in case someone decides to enact a hate crime."
It still boils down to the whole private access aspect. Everybody can access all Christian and. erm.. secular.. areas.. But the Muslim areas are off limits? Doesn't that strike you as creating a unique inequality? - nanboya, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Okay, this really runs contrary to the whole Quebec town furor right now raging over the alleged human rights violations by the town publishing a list of "acceptable" social behaviors.
On one hand, you have people pissing themselves because you are pointing out and excluding based on social behavior yet on the other hand you have other people ***** themselves because they HAVE TO have exclusive customs.
Go figure... - Lumiras, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8apparently Allah does have a problem with dirty feet or else Muslims would not be doing it.
- burgerpocket, on 10/12/2007, -11/+17@ nixonrichard.
we don't have locks on male/female bathrooms, because we have all learned to respect those bathrooms.
now just take a look at the comments on this page and tell me that muslim bathrooms will have that same respect from non muslims. -
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