Paris Bans Praying in Streets

[Tombcool]

Story:

Due to a shortage of mosques, some Parisian Muslims have taken to praying in the street. However, the French far right doesn't like it — and a new law will ban the practice. According to the AP, there just isn't enough space in French mosques to house all worshipers — so Muslim men have begun praying in streets in French cities including Paris, Marseille, and Nice (women typically pray at home). But the practice doesn't sit well with some in a country that has long insisted on secularism. Far-right groups have lodged protests against street prayer — right-wing politician Marine Le Pen called it a "political act by fundamentalists," and even an "occupation," a term that for the French recalls the Nazi takeover of their country during World War II. Now, an old fire station will be converted into additional indoor prayer space, and praying in the streets of Paris will be banned as of today. Interior Minister Claude Gueant, the architect of the ban, says,

I have said the practice of praying in the streets must stop and it will stop on the foreseen date. We could go so far as to use force if needed, but it's a hypothesis I rule out because dialogue has borne its fruit.

His threat of force seems somewhat ridiculous, given that Muslims don't seem to particularly want to pray in the streets anyway. One man told the AP, "I'm not against moving ... the street noise is a bit of a problem. If the [new] place is clean that's enough. The whole world belongs to God." Said another, "If a good place for more people to pray is found, it's better ... There aren't enough mosques in France." It sounds like Muslims have been praying on the streets of Paris not because they want to intimidate other French people and convert everyone to Islam, but for the simple reason that

there is no space indoors

. The new facility should fix that problem, but it won't fix the xenophobia of the French right.

Source: http://jezebel.com/5841024/paris-ban...ing-in-streets

My thoughts:

I just do not get it! This is what really pisses me off about the people following this religion (and I am sure there are others), they will NOT accommodate to the culture of the country they are living in. They want more and they expect the country to change so much just to accommodate to their needs. Seriously, PRAY AT HOME!!! Countries like France are doing you enough of a favor to allow you to live in their country, do not ask for more!

[Love2Raid]

If there were Christians praying in the streets nobody would bat an eyelid.

[Encore]

Your post makes no sense.

No muslims were ever asking anyone to pray on the streets. They're not asking for any special favours. It's just that some muslims, apparently, prayed on the streets - just like I can eat a burger on the street, or read a magazine on the street. The only difference is that now someone decided to make it illegal, suddenly bringing attention to the whole thing.

[Killercowz]

Originally Posted by Tombcool

Story:

Source: http://jezebel.com/5841024/paris-ban...ing-in-streets

My thoughts:
tirade.....
....practicing their religion PRIVATELY.

Agreed. At least this part

That goes with any religion BTW.

Pray at home.

[Ikas90]

Privately practiced religions are the best religions.

It should always be to each their own beliefs.

[trlestew]

Why is everyone being so antagonistic towards the Muslims?
They're not trying to convert people, they're not asking for anything. They're just praying. Why are people so upset?

[Tombcool]

Originally Posted by Encore

Your post makes no sense.

No muslims were ever asking anyone to pray on the streets. They're not asking for any special favours. It's just that some muslims, apparently, prayed on the streets - just like I can eat a burger on the street, or read a magazine on the street. The only difference is that now someone decided to make it illegal, suddenly bringing attention to the whole thing.

Thank you edited!

But the problem is, its not just ONE Muslim, it's a group and they are causing a block in traffic. It also does not make sense when these people have homes where they can go to for prayer.

Originally Posted by Love2Raid

If there were Christians praying in the streets nobody would bat an eyelid.

Ummm... but when has that ever happened? It needs to happen at least once before you can make that statement.

[Encore]

Originally Posted by Killercowz

Agreed. At least this part

That goes with any religion BTW.

Pray at home.

Why does seeing people praying in a public place bother you so much?

(BTW I am genuinely curious)

[patriots88888]

Originally Posted by Ikas90

It should always be to each their own beliefs.

I agree, but I'm not sure how that relates to the OP. How does praying in public force one's own beliefs onto anyone? That is what I'm not understanding.

[Love2Raid]

Originally Posted by Tombcool

Ummm... but when has that ever happened? It needs to happen at least once before you can make that statement.

Oh please.