Taxi Driver Online

Fury as Manchester Airport prayer room closes after fire

Taxi drivers have reacted with anger – claiming around 500 people use the site every week and that it forms a crucial part of their daily routine.


An islamic prayer room at Manchester Airport which was damaged in a suspected arson attack has been shut – for ‘health and safety’ reasons. The cabin was used by taxi drivers and airport staff for worship but was closed suddenly by airport bosses earlier this week.

Two ceremonial garments inside the room were deliberately set ablaze on September 11 last year – the ninth anniversary of the attacks on New York’s Twin Towers.

Now the centre, on the airport’s taxi feeder park in Ringway Road, has been axed permanently – because chiefs say the building is dangerous and would cost too much to repair. But taxi drivers have reacted with anger – claiming around 500 people use the site every week and that it forms a crucial part of their daily routine.

One driver, a member of the Manchester Airport Taxi Drivers’ Association who are National Taxi Association members, said: “Everyone is furious that we were not consulted. We went to use it as normal and found it was locked up with a sign on the door saying it had been closed.

“Many Muslims go there five times a day to pray – we’ve used it for about a decade and are disgusted that it has shut without warning. We were all very upset when it was set on fire on September 11 and this feels like another kick in the teeth.”

The site is separate from the five prayer rooms in the airport terminals, which are part of the airport’s multi-faith chaplaincy.

Airport bosses say the cabin is unsafe and have told the drivers that they can now use their other prayer rooms.

Detectives said they were uncertain whether the blaze on September 11 last year was ‘religiously or racially motivated’.

An airport spokesman said: “Having had an independent health and safety assessment conducted, we were informed that the building had reached the end of its serviceable life and was beyond repair. We continue to provide other prayer rooms that are easily accessible.”

source: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/

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Why is it just for Islamists?

Don't they mean a prayer room used by Islamist?

It's a prayer room for all faiths surely!

If I want to go in there and put my crucifix up and pray to my Christian God, then who is to stop me?

Unless religious discrimination is the order of the day at Manchester Airport!!

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Brummie Cabbie.

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why do they need this particular cabin, when there's 5 other places of worship available? Surely a wee walk from the car park to the terminal is not beyond them.

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I would guess that the ringway road feeder rank is not that close to the terminals. I would also guess that once on the proper rank at a terminal, you are not allowed to leave your vehicle unattended.

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Grandad,

They're taxi drivers, I'm sure if they put their heads together they'll be able to work out some kind of shuttle service to the other 5 prayer rooms available at Manair

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Not being a Muslim, Do you have to use an airport to pray in?

No, just a prayer mat!!

And they do at Brum Airport!!

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Brummie Cabbie.

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Been giving this a bit of thought. if they want a "Muslim only" prayer room, why don't they build it themselves? I'm sure BAA (or whoever) will donate the bit of land the burnt out one stands on. Then as long as they are not breaking the Equality Act, all is sorted, no?

_________________
My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

Does that get charged as 'extras' as well?

Only if the carpet flies.

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Brummie Cabbie.

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along with "£1 to use a trolley" theres a "£1 to kneel and pray"


I hope they get the right Mecca cos theres a bingo hall in Acocks green with the same name

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

It's in Tyseley, just short of Acocks Green.

And there's no chance of them facing the wrong Mecca now; they us their sat-nav world maps, punch in Saudi Arabia, then Mecca and the satnav tells them which way to face!!

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Brummie Cabbie.

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But isn't the sat nav system programmed by the US?
Didn't the late Ayatollah Khomeini describe them as The Great Satan?
Perhaps they shouldn't take the devil's word for it..........

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Ha ha!! I like that!!

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

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Disagree with other members' views;
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it isnt programmed by the USA, but they use mainly USA satellites for guidance, the same satellites which guided cruise missiles in Iraq and Kuwait, etc, but usually into the wrong block of flats....

which answers a lot of "lost taxi driver" questions really

_________________
Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most