Muslim-only Alton Towers fun park

The Sun Online reported Britain's biggest fun park has sparked a race row — with a MUSLIMS-ONLY day. Up to 28,000 are expected at Alton Towers on September 17 when there will be no music, booze or gambling. Instead there will be prayer areas, Muslim stalls and all food served will be HALAL. Organisers Islamic Leisure have billed it the First National Muslim Fun Day and tickets can only be bought through their website.

Non-Muslims phoning the Staffordshire park have been refused tickets. One, George Hughes, 19, who rang up for 15 tickets for a pal’s birthday, said: “I couldn’t believe it. “It’s the only day we can go, yet I can’t because I’m not Muslim. Can you imagine all the fuss if there was a Christians-only day?”

Good point, however I suspect if a Christian organization wanted to book the park for a day, which I suspect would involve guaranteeing them a certain minimum number of tickets would be sold, that it could book the park for that day.

George, of Crayford, Kent, added: “My Muslim friends think it’s outrageous. “What’s the world coming to when people are being banned from flying the St George’s flag yet this sort of day is allowed? If it must be held, then why not on a weekday rather than a busy weekend?” The event is widely promoted on the internet and the Muslim Public Affairs Committee declared it “exclusively for our brothers and sisters”. But some Muslims have condemned the idea. One university student on a Muslim website forum said: “It’s hardly encouraging integration.”

And therein is the big problem I see with this. Any large organization is free to book the park for their people, but it does send a message that we want to live in your country, but we want things to be done our way. We don't want to assimlate and become Britons. We want you to let us do things our way.

Another said: “What next . . . an all Muslims shopping day out in the Trafford Centre in Manchester?” Abid Hussan of Islamic Leisure insisted the day was open to all faiths, although Islamic laws would apply.

Wow. Sharia Law is imposed at a fun park. Will you be beheading people, for fun? Will women only be allowed to attend if they are accompanied by a male family member?

He added: “There will be no smoking, no alcohol and halal food only. “We’re trying to get Muslims to go to this day because they wouldn’t normally go somewhere like Alton Towers. We’re trying to integrate Muslims into the wider community. People can come down and see the way we live. It will be a peaceful family environment.” Alton Towers said any organisation could hire the park for a day. A spokeswoman said “We make no distinction regarding sexuality, religious, ethnic or lifestyle choices.” She confirmed tickets for the day were now available only through Islamic Leisure. And Alton Towers would promote the fact that the day had been booked. She added: “As a general rule, there will be no admission on the day to guests who have not booked through the organisation in advance.”