Muslim Scouts

As a former Scout myself, it was really heartwarming to see the scenes from England on the 100th birthday of the organisation.

The Daily Mail today reports though on how Scouts celebrating the centenary weren't treated to burgers and bangers because of religious beliefs:

...as 300 Scouts travelled back to the site where their movement was born, meat was whipped off the menu in favour of vegetarian cuisine because it might offend the different faiths of youngsters from 162 countries if it wasn't Halal or Kosher.

This led to the now customary frothing in the comments:

How do these other religions get on with swearing allegiance to god and the Queen then, all PC going far too far and should be done away with. If people can't accept what we do, then why should we accept what they do?

- Nigel, Somerset

This is dreadful! This country is going to the dogs. Lord Baden Powell will be turning in his grave.

- Isabel, Buckinghamshire

This is absolutely ridiculous! I do believe that the PC stupidity in the UK is absolutely barking mad. It defies belief and words.

- Charles, Durham,NC

It is a little known fact that there are more Muslim Scouts in the world today than from any other faith group.

Staying with the Daily Mail, anyone else suspicious about the quotes from "Muslim families" in this story?

Comments

[joe90]

As one of England's greatest sons, Peter Kay, would say http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTxL6DaOs74&mode=related&search=>"Garlic bread!"

[Sam]

Osama said "Staying with the Daily Mail, anyone else suspicious about the quotes from "Muslim families" in this story?"

I'm mighty suspicious, especially considering the area mentioned. It's new (in fact not completely built yet), expensive, and on the edge of town. I may be jumping to conclusions here, but I did research into ethnic segregation in Rugby a few years ago, and I find it highly unlikely that there are several Muslim families living in that street to start with.

I suspect the outcry about this plant is a bit more generalised. No-one in their right mind wants a giant meat processor next door, irrespective of religion.

I suspect the quotes they have there are a combo of quotes from non-Muslim families living in the area campaigning against this plant, quotes garnered at the small mosque in the town centre, and knowing the Mail perhaps outright fabrication...

[Sam]

Sorry to double post, but I see this article clarifies the situation:

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=200732

The campaign has nothing at all to do with Islam. It's just the Mail digging for dirt on Muslims yet again - or perhaps the residents association thinking (correctly) that this might be a way to get the media to pick up their campaign.

If that indeed was their intention it's backfired on them somewhat spectacularly.

[Sam]

Source of cut and paste 'quotes' - looks like the Daily Mail couldn't even be bothered to visit.

http://www.cotonpark.co.uk/STATEMENT%20FROM%20MUSLIM%20FAMILIES%20LIVING%20ON%20COTON%20PARK.pdf

(sorry again for multiple posts)

[Cass]

I've posted dozens of times on that site, asking for proof of statements made in the article or coming back on previous comments but I've never once had my comment posted. It's a mess.

[Osama]

Thanks for that Sam, very interesting.

[Sam]

Cass: "I've never once had my comment posted"

Likewise - the Mail's comments are extremely heavily moderated. Which speaks volumes about their level of endorsement of the racist bile that does get through...