Paris Shuts Airport Muslim Prayer Rooms

[Judi Lynn]

Paris Shuts Airport Muslim Prayer Rooms
By ELAINE GANLEY , 08.02.2006, 06:06 PM

Police have shut down makeshift Muslim prayer rooms at Paris' two main airports after they came under scrutiny following a far-right politician's allegations that Islamists were compromising security.

Officials insist there was no threat. But the prayer sites set up by Muslim workers in cloak rooms, depots and other areas at Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports were quietly shuttered. There are three official prayer rooms still open at each airport, just as there are chapels for Christians and synagogues for Jews.

A book published in May by Philippe de Villiers, a presidential hopeful who opposes Muslim immigration, said clandestine prayer rooms honeycombed the corridors beneath airport runways and that Muslims were poised to put the premises under Islamic Sharia law.

Villiers claimed to base his book, "The Mosques of Roissy," on intelligence reports. While many saw the book as a publicity grab, it caused a stir and briefly climbed the best seller list.
(snip/...)

http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/entrehr/feeds/ap/2006/08/02/ap2923507.html

[Deja Q]

1. Why have any at all?

Equal rules for all in public places of this nature. That way either nobody whines or everybody whines and nobody can cite "Racial profiling, nah nah nyah-nyah nah".

Not to sound like a socialist or commie or anything; I am a Christian but I don't see any need to go pray at an airport! :eyes: I mean, that's what church is for...

[DesertRat]

2. I always pray before I fly

but I don't need a special room in which to do it.

[msongs]

3. doesn't jesus say pray in your closet with the door shut? nt

[MountainLaurel]

4. Um, they're Muslims

Jesus's opinion on the topic probably doesn't matter so much.

[Mizmoon]

5. actually that's incorrect

Jesus is considered a prophet in Islam. So is Adam and Moses.

[GAPeace]

8. Muslims have to pray during times of the day

And that's why they have prayer rooms for safe and quiet places to pray. Discrimination is still abound in this world so they can't do it in public space.

[seriousstan]

17. Read much? Three official prayer rooms still open at each airport.

There are three official prayer rooms still open at each airport, just as there are chapels for Christians and synagogues for Jews.

You seemed to skip right over that part.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

13. Probably so it doesn't scare the bigots.

I've often seen muslims praying openly in public. I've also seen people get upset about seeing muslims praying openly in public.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Prayer rooms seem to be more available to travelers than I knew....

Prayer Room Opens At Airport
A purpose built prayer room will open at Nottingham East Midlands Airport (NEMA) next week available to over 4 million customers for worship, prayer and quiet reflection.

This facility will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and will be accessible to people from all faith communities and none. The area, located next to departure security, will include a separate space for private contemplation and seating for 40 people. A Chaplains Office will also be available for those wishing to have a personal consultation with a member of the team. A painting symbolic of the dove of peace and named 'The Power of the Spirit' has been specially commissioned by artist Yvonne Bell and will hang in the room.
(snip/...)

http://www.nottinghamema.com/cms/109/prayer-room-opens-at-airport.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prayer Room

The 24 hour Prayer Room of Liverpool John Lennon Airport has become recognised as such an excellent example of its kind that many organisations and statutory bodies seek advice when creating their own Multi Faith Sacred Space.

The Welcome Notice explains the aim of the room:

Welcome to the Prayer Room of Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
IN the midst of our busy lives here is a quiet space in which to pray, to reflect or simply to be still, collect thoughts and find a moments peace. Whether you are visitor, passenger or staff may you find blessing here.
(snip)

http://www.liverpooljohnlennonairport.com/page.php?p=104

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Abany Airport:

Interfaith Prayer Room


The Interfaith Prayer Room, located on Concourse C of the terminal, provides a respite and place of solitude for travelers, guests and airport personnel.


The Interfaith Prayer Room was planned by clergy and lay persons representing the area's major faiths and offers individuals the opportunity for personal prayer and meditation.

Designer Richard Vosko created the Prayer Room by offering an oasis environment intended to be spiritually refreshing. Etched art glass panels with water sculptures at either end carry the mind from earth-bound reality to skyward peace.
(snip/...)

http://www.albanyairport.com/3/services/meditation.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Glasgow:

Prayer Room
This room is available for the growing number of passengers now using Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The facility is for people of all faiths and is located in the arrivals area on the ground floor across from the information desk. Glasgow Prestwick Airport's first-ever chaplain Phillip Noble will provide pastoral care at Scotland's fastest-growing airport. He will be at the airport one afternoon or one evening per week.
(snip/...)

http://www.gpia.co.uk/AirportInfo/Facilities/prayerRoom.asp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hong Kong:

A Place of Peace Amid Airport Bustle

Within the vastness of the terminal building, where everything is on a large scale, there is a smaller, more intimate place where one can seek peace. Opens from 0600 to 2400 hours daily, the Prayer Room is located for ease of access in the public area in the Check-in Hall. It is designed to accommodate all faiths, and with this in mind, the room does not contain religious symbols although it has a foot wash and a font. The room is appropriately decorated to create the right setting for contemplation and prayer.
(snip)

http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/aguide/prayer.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Copenhagen

~snip~
A 24-hour prayer room and a free rest area are located in Terminal 2.

http://www.worldairportguide.com/airport/airport_guide.ehtml?o=306&NAV_guide_class=AirportGuide&NAV_Airport=306

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ETC.

[MrCoffee]

7. Airport prayer rooms are great

If you have a long layover, search out the prayer room/chapel/meditation room. It's usually deserted, and very nicely appointed with space to lay down. Beats sitting on the terminal floor.

[Judi Lynn]

10. Thanks for the tip, MrCoffee! You just might see those rooms

filling up with DU'ers, or, (gag, choke) right-wing, buggy-eyed, red-faced, knuckle-dragging freepers who read your post!

Welcome to D.U., Mr.Coffee!

[MrCoffee]

11. Glad to be of service

I've been sleeping in them for years, and only once have I seen another person in there. She was sound asleep too, so I tiptoed in for my siesta. TY for the welcome, I've been lurking for too long, it's nice to be out of the closet!

[cap]

9. muslims have to pray at certain times of the day

ergo if they are in the airport for a layover during that time, they need a place to pray.
I support the prayer rooms for them. Since Muslims prostrate themselves when they pray, I think it is better for all if they have their own place to do so. It would be really awkward to have them praying in a pre-boarding area or restaurant. Inconvenient for all. Plus, I think they'd like a little privacy.

[seriousstan]

18. What part of.....

three official prayer rooms still open at each airport, don't you understand? Here let me put it in context......


There are three official prayer rooms still open at each airport, just as there are chapels for Christians and synagogues for Jews.

[uppityperson]

19. hey stan, this was an explanation of why have prayer rooms

why are you attacking this poster and one above for responding? Why so nasty?

[seriousstan]

20. There was no question as to why have prayer rooms.

This is simply an example of people who read the subject line and not even the associated snip, let alone the entire article. I find posters who do this lazy at best, if not willingly ignorant. I guess that sets off my snide side. If a person doesn't have enough respect for the forum to at least read the snip posted, they should not post a reply.

[uppityperson]

21. read response #1

[seriousstan]

22. You are correct, My gin and tonic fault. Please excuse me and.....

:beer:

[uppityperson]

24. ok, alcohol can inhibit/loosen one, can't it, even the best of us

me too

[MrPrax]

12. LOL...

clandestine prayer rooms honeycombed the corridors beneath airport runways


So this racist is implying they are 'cells' as in terror cells and they have some sinister purpose...hmm...the French and their obsession with the Underground.

I read ANOTHER book once that said there were vampires down there. That might be true as well.

I wonder in a turf war between Armand and Lestat's Minions and AQ terrahists, who would win?




Catacombs of Paris

[adriennui]

14. meditation rooms, yes

prayer rooms at airports for any religion, no.

[Solly Mack]

15. So, uh, Villiers fears airports in Paris becoming bastions of Sharia Law?

Alrighty then. And has he closed off the space under his bed to prevent the boogeyman from changing the boogeyman protection rule about keeping your head under the covers?

Sheesh

[Bridget Burke]

23. He's a paranoid racist right wing nutcase.

Hazem El-Shaffei, the imam for both airports, confirmed unofficial prayer rooms were shut at de Gaulle but did not say how many. He said by telephone that he was not opposed to shutting them, but he stressed the prayer rooms were "not a question of any threat."

The airports are major employers on the north and south edges of Paris where numerous Muslims live and work.

The "unofficial" prayer rooms were probably more convenient for the workers--less time away from the job.

[Solly Mack]

25. He certainly sounds it too

He wants to scare (control) folks with a boogeyman - and to people like that, anyone handy to scapegoat can be turned into the boogeyman.

[AliceWonderland]

16. If officials insist there was no threat, why were they shut down?

Oh, wait. Never mind. I know.