Museums asked to create prayer rooms
Glasgow's museums and libraries have been asked to set aside a prayer room to encourage people of different faiths to use them.
The Burrell Collection, the Kelvingrove Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art are among those which have been asked to make facilities available for those who wish to pray during the day.
Some Muslims pray five times a day and officials believe many are inconvenienced by the lack of specific facilities. There are an estimated 50,000 Muslims in Scotland, four-fifths of whom stay in Glasgow. Sikhs also pray during the day but have a less structured timetable.
Tom Harrigan, the council's inter-faith liaision officer, has encouraged museums to become more user-friendly for people of a variety of faiths.
St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life and Art has a room available to people on request. Other museums are expected to follow its example depending on the space available.
"This applies across the city council," said Mr Harrigan. "It is not just about museums but about all the council buildings including venues such as libraries. The aim is to make a room available for quiet contemplation so people from any faith or indeed none can go there. If people want to make a day of it at one of the museums we want to make sure they are able to follow their faith and that they have somewhere quiet to go."
He is also helping to arrange group visits for asylum seekers who, he says, often feel too intimidated to use the facilities. "We have had groups of people coming in from Sighthill and other areas and we are working with a number of organisations to make sure people realise the museums are here to be used by everyone in the community."
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "We are considering in which of our venues the idea might work."
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Posted by: Martin, Edinburgh on 10:57am Mon 16 Apr 07
No disrespect intentd to anyone. Our culture doesn't involve praying 5 times a day and as a consequence, our public facilites don't need special rooms. Like it or lump it. Is that not PC enough?
No disrespect intentd to anyone. Our culture doesn't involve praying 5 times a day and as a consequence, our public facilites don't need special rooms. Like it or lump it. Is that not PC enough?
Posted by: I'm no really here on 12:07pm Mon 16 Apr 07
I'm a Water Baptised, Bible Believing, Born Again Christian. I often pray more than 5 times a day. Sometimes very short prayers to ask the Lord for protection, help etc. I don't need a "special room" to do it in, so don't bother creating one for us Born Again Christians.
It seems the PC thing to do, and we all know what utter crap has been foisted on us over the decades by all this PC CRAP.
I'm a Water Baptised, Bible Believing, Born Again Christian. I often pray more than 5 times a day. Sometimes very short prayers to ask the Lord for protection, help etc. I don't need a "special room" to do it in, so don't bother creating one for us Born Again Christians.
It seems the PC thing to do, and we all know what utter crap has been foisted on us over the decades by all this PC CRAP.
Posted by: Louisa Perth on 12:27pm Mon 16 Apr 07
I suppose the next move will be to remove all infidel material from shelves, walls and display cabinets - in case the 'faithful' are insulted? Give an inch .............?
Why not have directions to the nearest church, mosque or whatever on a piece of paper pinned to the entrance lobbies of these establishments - much cheaper and efficient?
I suppose the next move will be to remove all infidel material from shelves, walls and display cabinets - in case the 'faithful' are insulted? Give an inch .............?
Why not have directions to the nearest church, mosque or whatever on a piece of paper pinned to the entrance lobbies of these establishments - much cheaper and efficient?
Posted by: susan on 5:04pm Mon 16 Apr 07
Having spent several days last week in the mentioned museums, I can say that there were quite a number of muslims visiting. I guess the prayer times weren't and issue to them, just the pc crowd. Good Grief, what a waste of monies it would be to create the rooms.
Good points, Louisa.
Having spent several days last week in the mentioned museums, I can say that there were quite a number of muslims visiting. I guess the prayer times weren't and issue to them, just the pc crowd. Good Grief, what a waste of monies it would be to create the rooms.
Good points, Louisa.
Posted by: susan on 5:06pm Mon 16 Apr 07
I hate typos!! make that weren't an issue
I hate typos!! make that weren't an issue
Posted by: Jack, Multicultureland on 5:38pm Mon 16 Apr 07
Its obvious this officer knows nothing about Faith himself. Nor evidently does his bosses. Its loony stuff to think a Hindu and a Muslim would sit in the same room and worship or pray at the same time. Another shocking waste of Taxpayers money. Faith is a belief in ones own religion not anothers. People are free to go into the park beside the Museums to have a quiet time of contemplation if required. Or can a Muslim only pray in a purpose built room for the occasion. Is this what we are paying big bucks to Tom Harrigan to come up with. The vast majority of people who think up this nonsense have never even read or owned a Bible in their life.
Its obvious this officer knows nothing about Faith himself. Nor evidently does his bosses. Its loony stuff to think a Hindu and a Muslim would sit in the same room and worship or pray at the same time. Another shocking waste of Taxpayers money. Faith is a belief in ones own religion not anothers. People are free to go into the park beside the Museums to have a quiet time of contemplation if required. Or can a Muslim only pray in a purpose built room for the occasion. Is this what we are paying big bucks to Tom Harrigan to come up with. The vast majority of people who think up this nonsense have never even read or owned a Bible in their life.
Posted by: Thomas, Glasgow on 7:30pm Mon 16 Apr 07
In view of the de facto privitisation of Glasgow Museums this muppet and his values redundant cronies have created, he should keep his mouth shut. With the exception of Catholic schools -for historical reasons- I expect my institutions to be run along secular lines. Another example of pc behaviour that is enraging society. Why not go the whole way and remove female staff in case this offends some foreign religious and cultural sensitivities.
In view of the de facto privitisation of Glasgow Museums this muppet and his values redundant cronies have created, he should keep his mouth shut. With the exception of Catholic schools -for historical reasons- I expect my institutions to be run along secular lines. Another example of pc behaviour that is enraging society. Why not go the whole way and remove female staff in case this offends some foreign religious and cultural sensitivities.
Posted by: wee folding bike on 7:52pm Mon 16 Apr 07
In the summer we visited the refurbished Kelvingrove with a new born baby. There was nowhere for a mother to breast feed. The best the staff could find was part of the educational area which was closed at the time but had floor to ceiling windows. I make no criticism of the staff in this. It is a failing of the building.
I know it is now legal to breast feed anywhere but some mothers prefer to have somewhere private, Might I suggest that this would be a more useful addition to the museums?
Some signs on the floor plan for where baby change areas are to be found would be nice too.
In the summer we visited the refurbished Kelvingrove with a new born baby. There was nowhere for a mother to breast feed. The best the staff could find was part of the educational area which was closed at the time but had floor to ceiling windows. I make no criticism of the staff in this. It is a failing of the building.
I know it is now legal to breast feed anywhere but some mothers prefer to have somewhere private, Might I suggest that this would be a more useful addition to the museums?
Some signs on the floor plan for where baby change areas are to be found would be nice too.
Posted by: A. Graham on 12:38am Tue 17 Apr 07
Good grief, aren't there lots of special buildings where people can pray to the god/s of their choice?
Oh. yes, that's right, churches, mosques, etc.
What a lot of rubbish.
Good grief, aren't there lots of special buildings where people can pray to the god/s of their choice?
Oh. yes, that's right, churches, mosques, etc.
What a lot of rubbish.
Posted by: alex riach, glasgow,scotland on 8:30am Tue 17 Apr 07
if you want to pray you ,other than at home,you should go a place of worship.That's what they are there for.
What next?Special prayer stalls at bus stops?
Where will this all end.
if you want to pray you ,other than at home,you should go a place of worship.That's what they are there for.
What next?Special prayer stalls at bus stops?
Where will this all end.
Posted by: Gordon, Glasgow on 9:07am Tue 17 Apr 07
So, I wonder, will aeroplanes on long haul flights need a prayer room? Will Glasgow>London trains? Motorway service stations for long drives?
As God is omnipresent, I can speak to him anywhere I want.
Is this not just an example of Glasgow Council desperately trying to scramble a few more votes for next month?
So, I wonder, will aeroplanes on long haul flights need a prayer room? Will Glasgow>London trains? Motorway service stations for long drives?
As God is omnipresent, I can speak to him anywhere I want.
Is this not just an example of Glasgow Council desperately trying to scramble a few more votes for next month?
Posted by: Alison, UAE on 9:59am Tue 17 Apr 07
I can't believe how negative you all are. I, for one, am glad of this initiative. As a Muslim, I have no problem praying in the same room as a Hindu. I also know the difficulties of going of out for the day and trying to find somewhere to pray. As mentioned, this is not only for Muslims. You are right that God is omniprescent, but the Mslims prayer as well as that of other faiths does not just involve talking to God. Perhaps you should try to find out more about other religions and you might be a bit more tolerant.
I can't believe how negative you all are. I, for one, am glad of this initiative. As a Muslim, I have no problem praying in the same room as a Hindu. I also know the difficulties of going of out for the day and trying to find somewhere to pray. As mentioned, this is not only for Muslims. You are right that God is omniprescent, but the Mslims prayer as well as that of other faiths does not just involve talking to God. Perhaps you should try to find out more about other religions and you might be a bit more tolerant.
Posted by: TCR, Fife on 11:45am Tue 17 Apr 07
I think this approach shows real foresight, with the imminent launch of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights, in terms of ensuring our national collection is open to everyone in society, and as the majority of museums collections are funded through our taxes we should endeavour, whereever possible, to look at ways of ensuring that all individuals in our community have equal access to places that inform and educate, not just knowledge but social skills and develops values and attititudes.
I appreciate that this might be seen as yet another "nod" to P.C ism, however, we have to remember that in bygone times only the rich and well positioned in society were able to visit museums, and this was felt as acceptable practice in the 19th Century- how times have changed. We are now in the 21st Century with an interest and commitment to material cultural and learning; anything a museum can do within its tight resources should be applauded not criticized.
I think this approach shows real foresight, with the imminent launch of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights, in terms of ensuring our national collection is open to everyone in society, and as the majority of museums collections are funded through our taxes we should endeavour, whereever possible, to look at ways of ensuring that all individuals in our community have equal access to places that inform and educate, not just knowledge but social skills and develops values and attititudes.
I appreciate that this might be seen as yet another "nod" to P.C ism, however, we have to remember that in bygone times only the rich and well positioned in society were able to visit museums, and this was felt as acceptable practice in the 19th Century- how times have changed. We are now in the 21st Century with an interest and commitment to material cultural and learning; anything a museum can do within its tight resources should be applauded not criticized.
Posted by: PJ, UK on 12:50pm Tue 17 Apr 07
[italic]"Some Muslims pray five times a day and officials believe many are inconvenienced by the lack of specific facilities. "[/italic]
A complusion to turn the lightswitch on and off 47 times when leaving the room would also be an inconvenience, but not due to a shortage of adequitely situated switches! Can we please stop spending public money to pander to superstition.
"Some Muslims pray five times a day and officials believe many are inconvenienced by the lack of specific facilities. "
A complusion to turn the lightswitch on and off 47 times when leaving the room would also be an inconvenience, but not due to a shortage of adequitely situated switches! Can we please stop spending public money to pander to superstition.
Posted by: Sean, Edinburgh on 12:57pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Surely we have a secular society and as such our taxes should not be there to encourage or promote any particular religion or none. Should we have an atheists room? A Satanists? How about one for weeping Partick Thistle supporters or lonesome Conservatives?
The fact that anyone chooses to "pray 5 times a day" is not the concern of the state - they should be allowed to do so unconditionally and without any unreasonable sanction; however the state should not encourage or support this habit to the detriment or exclusion of others who do not believe in it.
Who will govern what this room is to be for? Who should we pray to? God? Allah? Buddah? The Flying Spagetti Monster? What if you do not want to pray? Will I be allowed access as an non-beleiver or will I be discriminated against?
No. If you want support for your religion. Do not expect it from the taxpayer and Thomas...this slso goes for religion promoting schools, whether Catholic or otherwise.
Surely we have a secular society and as such our taxes should not be there to encourage or promote any particular religion or none. Should we have an atheists room? A Satanists? How about one for weeping Partick Thistle supporters or lonesome Conservatives?
The fact that anyone chooses to "pray 5 times a day" is not the concern of the state - they should be allowed to do so unconditionally and without any unreasonable sanction; however the state should not encourage or support this habit to the detriment or exclusion of others who do not believe in it.
Who will govern what this room is to be for? Who should we pray to? God? Allah? Buddah? The Flying Spagetti Monster? What if you do not want to pray? Will I be allowed access as an non-beleiver or will I be discriminated against?
No. If you want support for your religion. Do not expect it from the taxpayer and Thomas...this slso goes for religion promoting schools, whether Catholic or otherwise.
Posted by: Drawing a line, London, UK on 2:45pm Tue 17 Apr 07
'you might be a bit more tolerant.'
Err..an entire community of Somalis moved from Holland to Leicester recently because it found the Dutch weren't tolerant enough! The not-so-tolerant Somalis then criticised the streets of the city for being 'dirty' (I'd prefer a few bits of litter to Mogadishu's gunfire anyday myself).
'Prayer' rooms in museums for muslims? Categorically not. They can find one of allah's lawns somewhere to plop down their buzzing prayer mats.
What we do need is more privacy for breast-feeding mothers and generally more loos with decent lighting for refreshing our make-up. And mirrors hung lower so we don't have to do it on tiptoe.
NB: 'Alison' in UAE might be a muslim but it's unlikely her - or his - real name. This is a ploy used increasingly by muslims to espouse islamist views disguised as European converts. Unfortunately, it's usually backfires because it's so crudely done.
'you might be a bit more tolerant.'
Err..an entire community of Somalis moved from Holland to Leicester recently because it found the Dutch weren't tolerant enough! The not-so-tolerant Somalis then criticised the streets of the city for being 'dirty' (I'd prefer a few bits of litter to Mogadishu's gunfire anyday myself).
'Prayer' rooms in museums for muslims? Categorically not. They can find one of allah's lawns somewhere to plop down their buzzing prayer mats.
What we do need is more privacy for breast-feeding mothers and generally more loos with decent lighting for refreshing our make-up. And mirrors hung lower so we don't have to do it on tiptoe.
NB: 'Alison' in UAE might be a muslim but it's unlikely her - or his - real name. This is a ploy used increasingly by muslims to espouse islamist views disguised as European converts. Unfortunately, it's usually backfires because it's so crudely done.
Posted by: Jack on 3:22pm Tue 17 Apr 07
When we are allowed free Christian worship in Moslem countries that is free from any form of attack and when we have freedom to build Christian churches then and only then shouls we consider assisting other faiths to enjoy the freedom in thsi country.
When we are allowed free Christian worship in Moslem countries that is free from any form of attack and when we have freedom to build Christian churches then and only then shouls we consider assisting other faiths to enjoy the freedom in thsi country.
Posted by: Louis Wan Kanooey, Glasgow on 4:50pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Greetings!
As a practicing Jedi, I require a studio to practice my stick swinging. How long must I wait until my faith is satisfied??? Why all this religious intolerance towards me and my light-sabre swinging brethern!?? Why only yesterday in Central Station I was told that if I want to swing my sabre then I must do it in ..*gasp* ... my own home!
jokes aside, you really have to wonder, don't you? I can bet that 99% of muslims feel this is unnecessary too, it's just this moronic councillor that feels the need to impose what he thinks is right onto an indifferent public.
Greetings!
As a practicing Jedi, I require a studio to practice my stick swinging. How long must I wait until my faith is satisfied??? Why all this religious intolerance towards me and my light-sabre swinging brethern!?? Why only yesterday in Central Station I was told that if I want to swing my sabre then I must do it in ..*gasp* ... my own home!
jokes aside, you really have to wonder, don't you? I can bet that 99% of muslims feel this is unnecessary too, it's just this moronic councillor that feels the need to impose what he thinks is right onto an indifferent public.
Posted by: Tom Clark, Glasgow on 7:35pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Tom Harrigan is probably one of the people who decided that it was necessary to leave the word "Christmas" off Christmas cards in case it offended people - namely Muslims. When in truth Muslims do not have a problem with Jesus or the celebration of His birth as they recognise Him as a Prophet. Away and get a proper job Tom !!!
Tom Harrigan is probably one of the people who decided that it was necessary to leave the word "Christmas" off Christmas cards in case it offended people - namely Muslims. When in truth Muslims do not have a problem with Jesus or the celebration of His birth as they recognise Him as a Prophet. Away and get a proper job Tom !!!
Posted by: minnie, middle east on 6:34am Wed 18 Apr 07
Living in the Middle East myself, I can categorically say that there is no PC brigade here wanting churches for Christians, Hindu's are considered Godless infedels and all other religions are banned.
If Muslims don;t like it, then do not live in the UK, come back here where you can practice your faith in an enviroment that suits you.
I agree, if there is free money floating about then build baby changing/feeding facilities, better disabled facilities perhaps more money put into enlarging their collections OR EVEN openeing special childrens art awareness hours.
Living in the Middle East myself, I can categorically say that there is no PC brigade here wanting churches for Christians, Hindu's are considered Godless infedels and all other religions are banned.
If Muslims don;t like it, then do not live in the UK, come back here where you can practice your faith in an enviroment that suits you.
I agree, if there is free money floating about then build baby changing/feeding facilities, better disabled facilities perhaps more money put into enlarging their collections OR EVEN openeing special childrens art awareness hours.
Posted by: minnie on 7:20am Wed 18 Apr 07
Alison, UAE
Living in the UAE, you will know that sometimes you see people praying in the street, whats wrong with doing that in Glasgow? If it's okay in the Middle East then darned sure you can do it in Glasgow.
Alison, UAE
Living in the UAE, you will know that sometimes you see people praying in the street, whats wrong with doing that in Glasgow? If it's okay in the Middle East then darned sure you can do it in Glasgow.
Posted by: G. Tingey, London on 8:47am Wed 18 Apr 07
All religion is a combination of moral and physical blackmail.
Don't ever give in to blackmail.
Anyway, even if you are stupid enough to have an invisible friend, religion is a private, not a public matter.
All religion is a combination of moral and physical blackmail.
Don't ever give in to blackmail.
Anyway, even if you are stupid enough to have an invisible friend, religion is a private, not a public matter.
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