Preserving modesty in the pool (Muslim women in Seattle)

Seattle Times ^ | July 19, 2005 | Lornet Turnbull

[Mrs. Don-o]

It's Saturday evening, the end of a hot day, and a group of women and children have gathered at North Seattle's Meadowbrook Pool for their monthly swim.

Most of the pool staff has left, except for two female lifeguards, who on this day will be on duty for the next two hours.

The women and children — all Muslims — have been swimming in private once a month at Meadowbrook as part of a program organized by the North Seattle Family Center.

Because Islam requires Muslim women to fully cover themselves in public, swimming in pools or the ocean is largely off-limits for many.

But across the Puget Sound area, that's starting to change as public and private pools at times are sending home their male staff members, covering up their windows and allowing women of faith to swim alone and in private...

Access to these pools is not free; the groups, like all others that use these facilities, pay a rental fee....

[fat city]

How do they keep the dynamite from getting wet?

[Alter Kaker]

So you think that, for the price of rental, there can be places IN THIS COUNTRY where Sharia Law rules?

It depends what you mean by Sharia Law. Do I think zealots should be allowed to cut off thieves hands? No. But I don't think you should force women who don't want to associate with men to associate with men, either, if they're willing to pay like everyone else for the privilege of being left alone.

[SunnySide]

"They now know that $$$ buys a place where Sharia Law can be enforced."

Enforced inch by inch, step by step.


"Jesus help us!"

Jesus will help those who have faith and HELP OURSELVES.

[Freebird Forever]

I think they should return to their native countries where they can follow their own customs without limitation. I DON"T think WE should change AT ALL to suit or accommodate these violent, extreme and crazy people.

I agree completely.

Welcome to FR !!

[dennisw]

I saw an Egyptian looking Muslim woman take a fully clothed dip in the ocean last week. Robes, scarf, the whole nine yards. She was ugly. The false modesty of these Muslim women is a hoot. They have no beauty to be modest about

[Nowhere Man]

BTW, here is somethinf I dug up in my bag of Victorian/Edwardian images. These are from the 1908 edition of the Sears' catalogue:

[delacoert]

Sending males home, at a public pool. Sorry, doesn't cut it.

You are deliberately ignoring the facts.

Renting the pool determine for private use has an obvious purpose - the group that rents it gets to use it and no one else. They use it in accordance with their customs. If you don't like it tough 5hit. Rent your own pool.

[Nowhere Man]

Soon there will be muslim only restaurants,and bathrooms, and Christians will have to set in the back of the bus.

Well, that's dhimmitude for you. B-P

[SunnySide]

"The false modesty of these Muslim women"

That's just it, the women have been oppressed, beaten and brain washed into believing it's all about modesty when it's always been about mans complete and unapologetic control over them. Meanwhile back at the palace the male dogs are drooling over barely clothed belly dancers and deciding which belly dancer should become wife number 31 !

HELLO ! TIME TO WAKE UP, THEY'RE B.S.ing THE WORLD WITH THEIR FALSE intentions.

[nopardons]

Did you notice the "bathing shoes"? YES, they DID wear special rubber shoes into the water!

[ClearBlueSky]

Let the camel's nose into your tent and soon you have the whole camel.

[swarthyguy]

Many lands kept some of their preislamic practices.

India is a fine example; Certain provinces in Pakistan used to keep Hindu practices, Kashmiri Shias, venerated women saints, and even in Arabia, potraits of people, garderns, music, and singing and dancing girls - all frowned upon by wahhabis, were prevalent at various times.

By catering to the demands of the loudest and most stringent, we weaken the voices of moderation.

[brownsfan]

"They use it in accordance with their customs. If you don't like it tough 5hit. Rent your own pool."

I hope you have your copy of the Koran. Sounds like you'll need it.

[SunnySide]

Let the camel's nose into your tent and soon you have the whole camel.



Not to mention the camel sh*t too.

Watch where you step, if it isn't a land mine it's camel dung.

[Trimegistus]

If they're paying a rental fee, they can swim however they like. (Does this mean a nude-swimming club could do the same? If not, why not?)

[Nowhere Man]

Dang, you're quick to respond. B-) Yeah, I noticed that too where they did wear slippers in the water. Also, many did wear swimming caps or hats as well. Here are a few more from a French postcard, circa 1905:



Dibs on the blonde chick. B-D

[delacoert]

I hope you have your copy of the Koran. Sounds like you'll need it.

Sophistry and deliberate avoidance of the issue. Do you understand rental agreements or not?

[T Minus Four]

Well, ok, I see your point

[Mrs. Don-o]

Well, sir or madame, you go ahead and blame 30 women who swim in Lady-of-Fatima swimsuits in Seattle, WA for the actions of four men who mass-murder people in London, UK.

But please don't pretend that has anything to do with the Judeo-Christian ethic and/or Western Culture and/or the American system of justice.

Our very distinctive civilization thinks in terms of justice and fairness to individuals, not a crazy-quilt system of resentments, punishments and pay-offs to class, caste, color and kin.

(Isn't that the liberal multi-cultis' specialty?)