By Indo Asian News Service
London, Dec 10 (IANS) A row has sparked off over special Muslim-only swimming
sessions at a popular public pool in Croydon during which bathers are required
to be covered from head to toe with their swimming costume.
Non-Muslims may swim during the sessions, but only if they follow the strict
dress code. Women are banned from attending but have their own special
swimming sessions outside opening hours.
The angry club members have vowed to hand over their memberships back to
Thornley Heath leisure centre, according to Daily Mail newspaper.
'To make a special provision for them (Muslims) is just ridiculous and strikes
me as imposing a 'Us and them' mentality which is wrong,' one member, Alex Craig
said. The centre is extremely popular locally as it is the only swimming
pool offering cheap sessions for miles around.
'I turned up and saw a sign saying it was closing early for Muslim afternoon - I
couldn't believe it,' said Daniel Foley.
'Muslims are not allowed to show intimate parts of their body. This is
non-negotiable. Muslims have as much right to go swimming as anyone else,' a
spokesman for the leisure centre said. A local mosque has however defended
the introduction of Muslim-only swimming sessions at the pool.
Copyright Indo-Asian News Service