We walked through the door and found segregated prayer rooms. There were three elaborately decorated rooms, one for Christians, one for Catholics and one for Buddhists.
Where was the Muslim prayer room? If they chose to segregate the prayer rooms, then they should have a room for each faith, not just the top three most popular religions in Korea, especially as Muslims would probably use the prayer room the most.
. . .
Muslims have lived in Korea since 1976 and currently 35,000 Muslims live in South Korea.
Islam is the world's fastest growing religion amongst people of every cultural background, and for Incheon to become a truly first class international airport, it will have to take a more welcoming stance to better appeal to international travelers.
For a Muslim, South Korea is a very difficult country to live in because there is very little awareness about Islam and it is almost impossible to find food at Korean restaurants that do not contain pork.
For Incheon Airport to become truly international and to encourage more Muslims to use it as a transit destination, I would like to see them stop discriminating against Muslims by adding a Muslim prayer room and to improve on current sign posting in the future, so that other people can pray in peace before they travel.
Surprising, but most likely ignorance, not ill-intentioned discrimination. By the way, the given reason for closing the Arab Culture Center?
The city’s excuse for closing the place down is vague, with it claiming it needs to build something it is calling a “global center” in its place.
Cool, maybe the global center can host an International Food Fair featuring food from all over the country.
8 comments:
Stop discriminating against Muslims? Oh, please....the pot calling the kettle black....
Separate rooms for "Christians" and Catholics? Are the Southern Baptists running the show?
Seoul is an international city. Korea is THE hub of Asia. Seoul even beat out Toronto is some bullshit rank of the world's most global cities. Seoul over Toronto? Give me a fucking break. That city is so fucking backwards, I am not surprised that Muslims and Buddhist experience discrimination by Protestants.
Yeah Mark, coz two wrongs always make a right, right? Nice sentiment.
Obviously Mark Eaton didn't even bother to click on the link to read the complete letter to the editor. If he did, he would have found out that the person who wrote "stop discriminating against Muslims" is a Muslim herself. That's why she was looking for a Muslim prayer room at the airport.
Every country has the right to maintain their own culture and religion. Besides no asked you to travel to Korea, and no one cares if you eat pork or not.
I guess it is part of the muslim culture to just complain.
I'd forgotten about this post and am happy I was directed back to this interesting topic.
@Chris -- Admittedly, I have very little sentiment or regard or time for religionists of any brand whose claims of discrimination are without merit. Is there a body of study that supports the assertion made by this woman that Muslims are being discriminated and targeted? I've not read any other articles or posts that support her claims, and I know there are many people in this country who would report such systematic abuse.
@Frank -- I don't think anyone had any doubt as to the woman's professed religious persuasion. My issue is a religionist claiming discrimination with no discussion of tolerance, understanding, or acceptance of being in a country that is not Islamic.
Would the Jews be able to build a synagogue in an Islamic land and receive the same expected tolerance, love, and acceptance that is demanded? Would the Mormons be able to build a temple or ward house in one of these lands? Can a troop of Jehovah's Witnesses proselyte?
The cry of discrimination rings hollow when there is no cross cultural or cross religious activity....or even the attempt to reach out to others with love and compassion. 'Looking for a prayer room' -- more like looking for a platform.
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