Ireland is not friendly enough to Muslim tourists

darkpagandeath · 05-03-2015 2:30pm

Anyway I'm out this is fast turning into "DeMuzlims" :pac:

foggy_lad · 05-03-2015 2:33pm

There is nobody dragging them kicking and screaming inti this lovely little country, if they don't like it then either adapt to current Irish culture just like thousands of visitors turned residents, or leave!

conorhal · 05-03-2015 2:34pm

ScumLord wrote: »

The survey basically says we don't have too many facilities for tourists we weren't really expecting to come here. Typically the media have reported it as Ireland being unfriendly, which is the usual antagonizing stance of the press. They've turned a simple piece of information into a flame war that neither side asked for.

It's not surprising we don't have too many Muslim restaurant or places for prayer, it wouldn't surprise me if the vast majority of Muslims that decide to visit Ireland are fully aware of that fact. But the press have put this in a way that sounds like Muslims are giving out about Irish people which isn't the case.

That's because newspapers have evolved into clickbait articles to feed the modern publics addiction to outrage that manages to make us all the more intellectually poor by our 5th estate's indulgence in it.
I simply stopped buying 'newspapers' about 5 years ago. Though I'd never have even wiped my arse with the Times.

WoollyRedHat · 05-03-2015 2:38pm

As a pagan I find Irish people's enthuaism for Christmas and Halloween both at times heart warming and equally infuriating.

RWCNT · 05-03-2015 2:38pm

ScumLord wrote: »

The survey basically says we don't have too many facilities for tourists we weren't really expecting to come here. Typically the media have reported it as Ireland being unfriendly, which is the usual antagonizing stance of the press. They've turned a simple piece of information into a flame war that neither side asked for.

It's not surprising we don't have too many Muslim restaurant or places for prayer, it wouldn't surprise me if the vast majority of Muslims that decide to visit Ireland are fully aware of that fact. But the press have put this in a way that sounds like Muslims are giving out about Irish people which isn't the case.

Established for a bit but still we have replies like this one

foggy_lad wrote: »

There is nobody dragging them kicking and screaming inti this lovely little country, if they don't like it then either adapt to current Irish culture just like thousands of visitors turned residents, or leave!

and probably more to come.

jmayo · 05-03-2015 2:40pm

Irish Stones wrote: »

According to a survey, Ireland is the least Islam-friendly country, second only to Mexico.
Muslims complain the lack of restaurant where they can have meals according their traditions and the lack of places for instant prayer.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ireland-one-of-least-muslim-friendly-countries-report-1.2125955

I think that when one visits a different country they should adapt to the way of life of that country.
I'm Italian and I travel to Ireland every year for my holidays, but I never complained for not finding enough restaurants that serve pasta and good wine, nor did I complain for not finding mixer taps in the bathrooms as often as here in Italy, or for the driving on the left-hand side of the roads.
I think that when one is travelling for tourism is for knowing other cultures and traditions, not for exporting their habits to the country they are visitng.
What is your opinion?

Ok what is Mexico doing that we aren't ?
We need to know.

kneemos wrote: »

It wasn't an attack on Ireland.

Very true we all know when they make an actual attack.

Grayson wrote: »

...
So many Israeli backpackers head to South America after they finish their military service that all the locals have begun to accommodate them. That made it even more Israeli friendly and that means even more go there. There's Israeli tour groups, Israeli hostels, Israeli everything really.

There's a subsection of very religious ones who carry pots everywhere. They do this because according to the strictest kosher rules they need to use separate pots for separate food stuffs. And you can't mix the pots up. But there are still special hostels where they can buy kosher meat etc and are provided with Kosher kitchens to prepare the food in. It's entirely possible for an Israeli to go to most of South America and never have to interact with a non-Israeli.

This isn't having a go at Israeli's/jews. It's just to point out that muslims are not the only group like that. Irish/English people go to Spain where they get an experience exactly like home except sunnier. Israeli's/Jews will go where they find the locals accommodate them. Muslims will too.

Well it couldn't be a Muslim thread without someone dragging in the Jews.

MuchoLoco wrote: »

Sorry I didn't explain myself to well the other person was driving a car.

It wasn't a British reg Honda Civic by any chance ?
BTW I reckon they have shag all peripheral vision because one of them failed to see me and turned out into my path.

BTW what would a true halal Muslim restaurant be like ?
Might set one up if there is a demand.
I presume it would be along the following lines ...
No women staff.
No music.
No booze.
No pictures of anything religious.
No pets or guidedogs.
A room for praying just for the occassions where it is that time of the day.
A room in the back for women guests.
A place to leave the ould backbacks while you eat.

ScumLord · 05-03-2015 2:44pm

conorhal wrote: »

I simply stopped buying 'newspapers' about 5 years ago.

Same as that, whenever I pick up a paper somewhere it's clearly sensationalised bolloxology, I don't understand how people can pay for it.

I think people are just accustomed to the way the media operate. If you stop reading papers and detox you brain of their nonsense then go back and look at a paper a year alter you'll see them for the **** stirrers they are. Their a curse on modern society at this stage. They're in their death throes now though. They think being more and more sensational will stop the mass exodus of readers not realising it's the sensationalism that's turning people away.

Grayson · 05-03-2015 2:51pm

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Where ? Here ?

No, in the UK according to UKIP

there's a billion worldwide

I know what you're getting at but to be fair all tourists are minorities in Ireland. It's just that our tourists industries are more reactive that proactive. Most of our stuff that we developed was to get more from existing tourists rather than get others to come.

And one billion is a very large potential market to tap into.

SpaceTime · 05-03-2015 2:54pm

America's more muslim-friendly than Ireland?
I guess they've never encountered the TSA while wearing full traditional costume, or tried to find Halal meat in rural Alabama then

I have a feeling this survey's more about business visitors and perceptions than anything else.

I don't get the impression that Ireland's particularly unfriendly towards muslims. I don't think it's any less geared up to catering for them than any other small EU country. I mean, what Islamic facilities would you find in rural Scotland, Northern Norway, Iceland etc?

I have a sense this survey isn't really worth much tbh.

Irish Stones · 05-03-2015 3:00pm

jmayo wrote: »

Ok what is Mexico doing that we aren't ?
We need to know.

Ask the person who wrote the article

BTW what would a true halal Muslim restaurant be like ?
...
No pictures of anything religious.
...

No pictures of anybody, religious or not. They ban every representation of a human being, be it a picture or a statue.

ScumLord · 05-03-2015 3:01pm

SpaceTime wrote: »

I have a sense this survey isn't really worth much tbh.

It's a good heads up for any Muslim businesses in Ireland, get your name out there and make sure Muslims tourists know you're there and you'll be raking it in because you've got no competition.

true567 · 05-03-2015 3:02pm

SpaceTime wrote: »

America's more muslim-friendly than Ireland?
I guess they've never encountered the TSA while wearing full traditional costume, or tried to find Halal meat in rural Alabama then

I have a feeling this survey's more about business visitors and perceptions than anything else.

I don't get the impression that Ireland's particularly unfriendly towards muslims. I don't think it's any less geared up to catering for them than any other small EU country. I mean, what Islamic facilities would you find in rural Scotland, Northern Norway, Iceland etc?

I have a sense this survey isn't really worth much tbh.

Yes because many Muslims go to rural Alabama when visiting the U.S., use your brain. Its always the dumbest analogies, comparisons, or hypotheticals that are brought up- how many places offer Halal meat in Leitrim? A small area of a nation does not make or break an entire nation. But yet that is essentially what you just said. LOL.

Perhaps, a better framework to look at NYC, or L.A. versus Dublin?

And the point of being a tourist is to explore the culture you are visiting anyway. Hack journalism.

jmayo · 05-03-2015 3:02pm

Grayson wrote: »

No, in the UK according to UKIP

there's a billion worldwide
...
And one billion is a very large potential market to tap into.

And a fair few of them live in war torn Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya ...

Sometimes some markets just aren't worth it.

Nodin · 05-03-2015 3:02pm

Irish Stones wrote: »

Ask the person who wrote the article

No pictures of anybody, religious or not. They ban every representation of a human being, be it a picture or a statue.

Unless they're Shiah.

kylith · 05-03-2015 3:03pm

Irish Stones wrote: »

No pictures of anybody, religious or not. They ban every representation of a human being, be it a picture or a statue.

Finding a missing person in a Muslim country must be nigh-on impossible.

conorhal · 05-03-2015 3:04pm

ScumLord wrote: »

Same as that, whenever I pick up a paper somewhere it's clearly sensationalised bolloxology, I don't understand how people can pay for it.

I think people are just accustomed to the way the media operate. If you stop reading papers and detox you brain of their nonsense then go back and look at a paper a year alter you'll see them for the **** stirrers they are. Their a curse on modern society at this stage. They're in their death throes now though. They think being more and more sensational will stop the mass exodus of readers not realising it's the sensationalism that's turning people away.

What's worrying is that the on-line media sources (which the print media are desperate to emulate) replacing them are worse. The current most popular being thejournal.ie, which is a sewer.

jmayo · 05-03-2015 3:08pm

true567 wrote: »

Yes because many Muslims go to rural Alabama when visiting the U.S., use your brain. Its always the dumbest analogies, comparisons, or hypotheticals that are brought up- how many places offer Halal meat in Leitrim? A small area of a nation does not make or break an entire nation. But yet that is essentially what you just said. LOL.

Perhaps, a better framework to look at NYC, or L.A. versus Dublin?

And the point of being a tourist is to explore the culture you are visiting anyway. Hack journalism.

Actually you might have a better chance of getting halal meat in Leitrim than in most of the counties you would deem above it.
You do know that the first purpose-built Mosque in Ireland was built in Ballyhaunis, Mayo in 1987.

Mint Sauce · 05-03-2015 3:15pm

In fairness, we are a small rural country/island, mainly christian. Outside of the main urban areas, I wouldn't expect much catering for multiculturalism, other than multifaith prayer rooms in hospitals, or takeaways serving halal. Yes some religious or ethnic groups have set up commuties, ie, there is a local group in Sligo, set up by the Indian community, where they get together to celebrate indian holidays/festivals, as well as birthdays, christianings, and aniversaries. I only know this as i work with a couple of them, am sure there would be similar groups around the country/island. Not sure if there are groups based on religion, but would assume if you wanted to find one, you could.

iDave · 05-03-2015 3:21pm

Does anyone care if Ireland is friendly to Jewish tourists or is it just delicate easily offended Muslims we're supposed to care about?

Generic Dreadhead · 05-03-2015 3:22pm

iDave wrote: »

Does anyone care if Ireland is friendly to Jewish tourists or is it just delicate easily offended Muslims we're supposed to care about?

Apparently.

Grayson · 05-03-2015 3:25pm

jmayo wrote: »

Well it couldn't be a Muslim thread without someone dragging in the Jews.

I was just mentioning a religious group that have special requirements. And they go to places that meet those requirements. They're no more or less demanding than your average Muslim.

jmayo wrote: »

And a fair few of them live in war torn Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya ...

Sometimes some markets just aren't worth it.

a fair few non Muslims live in hell holes. We still cater for them. Besides, if only 0.0001% of Muslims came here it's a huge boost.

Uncle Ruckus · 05-03-2015 3:28pm

Ah sure, they can have a pint in Panti bar followed by a pig in a roll at Spar. Nothing to complain about.

murfilein · 05-03-2015 3:31pm

i'm muslim and i know plenty of muslim restaurants... nor have i been ever treated unfriendly.

pro tip: a lot of "indian" restaurants are in fact muslim/pakistani restaurants. but no one would go to a pakistani restaurant, right. "indian" just sells better. and the food it basically identical.

the "lal quila" (fantastic restaurant btw) in cork city for example is an "indian" restaurant, but actually pakistani.

SpaceTime · 05-03-2015 3:33pm

true567 wrote: »

Yes because many Muslims go to rural Alabama when visiting the U.S., use your brain. Its always the dumbest analogies, comparisons, or hypotheticals that are brought up- how many places offer Halal meat in Leitrim? A small area of a nation does not make or break an entire nation. But yet that is essentially what you just said. LOL.

Perhaps, a better framework to look at NYC, or L.A. versus Dublin?

And the point of being a tourist is to explore the culture you are visiting anyway. Hack journalism.

Well, more people actually live in Alabama than the Republic of Ireland, and quite a swathe of the US is pretty right wing, conservative, highly christian and I don't think all that open minded about the Islamic world at the moment.
There's quite a lot of mis-aimed paranoia and hostility towards people who are identified as muslim in the US at the moment too. Where as I don't think this is the case at all in Ireland.

All I'm saying is that particularly compared to other small EU countries, that don't have large muslim populations, I can't see how Ireland did THAT badly in this survey, which is why I think the survey is a load of nonsense to begin with.

How many people were surveyed?
Where were they surveyed?
Was it based on just randomly asking people about perceptions, or interviewing people who came back from a destination ?

Bear in mind that a lot of Ireland's reputation abroad is Guinness + Highly Catholic. It's the two things that come up anytime I'm outside the anglophone world or near Europe.

Grayson · 05-03-2015 3:36pm

SpaceTime wrote: »

Well, more people actually live in Alabama than the Republic of Ireland, and quite a swathe of the US is pretty right wing, conservative, highly christian and I don't think all that open minded about the Islamic world at the moment.
There's quite a lot of mis-aimed paranoia and hostility towards people who are identified as muslim in the US at the moment too. Where as I don't think this is the case at all in Ireland.

All I'm saying is that particularly compared to other small EU countries, that don't have large muslim populations, I can't see how Ireland did THAT badly in this survey, which is why I think the survey is a load of nonsense to begin with.

How many people were surveyed?
Where were they surveyed?
Was it based on just randomly asking people about perceptions, or interviewing people who came back from a destination ?

Bear in mind that a lot of Ireland's reputation abroad is Guinness + Highly Catholic. It's the two things that come up anytime I'm outside the anglophone world or near Europe.

I don't think it was based on surveying people but rather on services. There aren't too many halal restaurants and our entire nightlife revolves around getting drunk.

SpaceTime · 05-03-2015 3:38pm

Grayson wrote: »

I don't think it was based on surveying people but rather on services. There aren't too many halal restaurants and our entire nightlife revolves around getting drunk.

You could say exactly the same about Reykjavik though.

jmayo · 05-03-2015 3:39pm

murfilein wrote: »

i'm muslim and i know plenty of muslim restaurants... nor have i been ever treated unfriendly.

pro tip: a lot of "indian" restaurants are in fact muslim/pakistani restaurants. but no one would go to a pakistani restaurant, right. "indian" just sells better. and the food it basically identical.

the "lal quila" (fantastic restaurant btw) in cork city for example is an "indian" restaurant, but actually pakistani.

I actually thought it used to be Bangladeshi rather than Pakistani.
You live and learn.

wes · 05-03-2015 3:40pm

Well there are plenty of Halaal places etc in Dublin, where most of the Irish Muslim populace would reside. Outside Dublin, that would be a different story. I am sure if there was significant tourism, then this situation would change to accommodate tourists.

murfilein · 05-03-2015 3:41pm

jmayo wrote: »

I actually thought it used to be Bangladeshi rather than Pakistani.
You live and learn.

there are also bangladeshis... but if i remember correctly, i was told that the owner is pakistani and the 2 guys i talked to when i went there were pakistanis. muslim anyway.

RWCNT · 05-03-2015 3:43pm

iDave wrote: »

Does anyone care if Ireland is friendly to Jewish tourists or is it just delicate easily offended Muslims we're supposed to care about?

Nobody got offended by anything, what are you on about?

SpaceTime · 05-03-2015 3:44pm

wes wrote: »

Well there are plenty of Halaal places etc in Dublin, where most of the Irish Muslim populace would reside. Outside Dublin, that would be a different story. I am sure if there was significant tourism, then this situation would change to accommodate tourists.

There are definitely one or two restaurants that do halal dishes in Cork, Lebanese, Moroccan etc.

Apparently we're a very good destination for Veggie tourists though compared to much of Europe.

Grayson · 05-03-2015 3:46pm

SpaceTime wrote: »

You could say exactly the same about Reykjavik though.

Do they have loads of muslims?

And I thought they didn't drink as much as us. beer was illegal there until a few years ago.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer · 05-03-2015 3:48pm

Grayson wrote: »

When in Dublin I eat pasta

I'll admit to one bit of cultural laziness. I'd been backpacking for about 4 months when I found a place in Bolivia that did a full proper Irish/English breakfast. they even imported sausages. I went back there every day for a week

Yeah but Bolivian food is usually terrible. Plain rice, chips and a piece of chicken. As boring as food could possibly be.

JeffK88 · 05-03-2015 3:48pm

Not sure if this posted. But I dont know what this says about these tourists

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/ireland-closest-to-islamic-economic-teachings-1.1826354

SpaceTime · 05-03-2015 3:48pm

Grayson wrote: »

Do they have loads of muslims?

And I thought they didn't drink as much as us. beer was illegal there until a few years ago.

They've more than made up for that brief lack of beer drinking, I can assure you!

Complete with some emm "unusual" beers: http://youtu.be/eg0LritZbJk

Icelandic chucking out time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEIKm0_TCxU

Reykjavik's main street looks VERY familiar to most Irish people which is odd given very few of us have been there.

They do miserable weather, drinking, the odd bit of joy riding, protesting, swimming in the nip followed by drinking and volcano watching...
It's just like Donegal with Volcanoes.

Grayson · 05-03-2015 3:50pm

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

Yeah but Bolivian food is usually terrible. Plain rice, chips and a piece of chicken. As boring as food could possibly be.

Guinea pig....

Mr. Remote Control · 05-03-2015 3:52pm

I think I can say it here.

I am sick. I am sick to the back teeth, of f***ing religion. All of it. The whole f***in' lot of it. It f***s up the natural way of the world in so many different ways. I mean, what the f*** is wrong with people??

faigs · 05-03-2015 4:03pm

They've obviously never visited Clanbrassil Street, D8. I can see a about 5 halal restaurants and 2 grocery stores from my window.

Mesrine65 · 05-03-2015 4:04pm

Mr. Remote Control wrote: »

I think I can say it here.

I am sick. I am sick to the back teeth, of f***ing religion. All of it. The whole f***in' lot of it. It f***s up the natural way of the world in so many different ways. I mean, what the f*** is wrong with people??

nelly17 · 05-03-2015 4:04pm

Are spudz Halal?

uch · 05-03-2015 4:15pm

nelly17 wrote: »

Are spudz Halal?

Sam Spudz Barbeque Beef were

topper75 · 05-03-2015 4:21pm

SpaceTime wrote: »

Reykjavik's main street looks VERY familiar to most Irish people which is odd given very few of us have been there.

They do miserable weather, drinking, the odd bit of joy riding, protesting, swimming in the nip followed by drinking and volcano watching...
It's just like Donegal with Volcanoes.

Half Irish on their mothers' side.

What do you expect.

VinLieger · 05-03-2015 4:36pm

I feel so guilty, especially considering how welcoming and open hard line Islamic states like Iran and Saudi Arabia are to visiting cultures......

Hans Bricks · 05-03-2015 4:45pm

RWCNT wrote: »

It's not though, did you read the article? Ireland was seen to be a less suitable holiday destination for Muslims compared to other places which were surveyed under the same criteria. They're not trying to make us feel bad, they're telling people where they might like to go on holiday.

Whats your first paragraph got to do with anything?

My first comment is to do with the fact muslims were allowed openly promote and advertise their religion in one of the country's largest third level ITs. Saying we're not friendly enough is a bit much.

The article to me sounds more inflammatory than anything else. New user so I can't link but here is a snippet from the OP's article :

Key factors in people from the global muslim community making travel decisions are restaurants serving food that is halal, or permissible under Islamic law, as well as readily accessible mosques or prayer rooms.

Imagine if it was ourselves complaining ?

"Key factors in people from the global Irish community making travel decisions are restaurants serving food that is Bacon, cabbage, potatoes, steamed ham and Guinness stew pot, or permissible under Irish/Roman Catholic law, as well as readily accessible churches or Confessional boxes."

Most normal people travel to experience the host nation's culture, customs, way of life, scenery and uniqueness. I know we import our typical behavior to Costa Del Sol or Bondai Beach, but replace Irish people with muslims here and it would sound equally ridiculous.

A bit of white guilt trip from Irish Times from my POV.

RWCNT · 05-03-2015 4:47pm

VinLieger wrote: »

I feel so guilty, especially considering how welcoming and open hard line Islamic states like Iran and Saudi Arabia are to visiting cultures......

How many more times do you think this statement will get recycled in this thread?

Mesrine65 · 05-03-2015 4:53pm

VinLieger wrote: »

I feel so guilty, especially considering how welcoming and open hard line Islamic states like Iran and Saudi Arabia are to visiting cultures......

I travelled through Iran in the mid 90's & found the people to be open, inquisitive & friendly, don't judge a people by their regime.

The women were among the most attractive I have encountered, stunningly beautiful.

topper75 · 05-03-2015 4:53pm

Hans Bricks wrote: »

A bit of white guilt trip from Irish Times from my POV.

Which is only right, given how those poor melanin-enhanced folks were treated through centuries of Irish rule. We should have left Saudi Arabia to the Saudis. It was wrong what we did.

RWCNT · 05-03-2015 5:03pm

Hans Bricks wrote: »

My first comment is to do with the fact muslims were allowed openly promote and advertise their religion in one of the country's largest third level ITs. Saying we're not friendly enough is a bit much.

The article to me sounds more inflammatory than anything else. New user so I can't link but here is a snippet from the OP's article :

Imagine if it was ourselves complaining ?

"Key factors in people from the global Irish community making travel decisions are restaurants serving food that is Bacon, cabbage, potatoes, steamed ham and Guinness stew pot, or permissible under Irish/Roman Catholic law, as well as readily accessible churches or Confessional boxes."

Most normal people travel to experience the host nation's culture, customs, way of life, scenery and uniqueness. I know we import our typical behavior to Costa Del Sol or Bondai Beach, but replace Irish people with muslims here and it would sound equally ridiculous.

A bit of white guilt trip from Irish Times from my POV.

"Friendly" isn't referring to how we treat them or what we allow or don't allow them to do. Nobody is complaining about anything. It's just a survey showing the best places to find the things Muslims supposedly look for on holiday, such as halal restaurants and mosques/prayer rooms. We apparently don't have as many as other places so we're down on the list, I don't think any Muslims are trying to guilt-trip us for it. I think it's lazy journalism to get people squabbling, I doubt white guilt has any place in it.

Not the best comparison, catholics usually don't have strict dietary rules for food consumption based on their religion, it's not the same as simply wanting food from home. I'd see nothing wrong with someone wanting to know if there was somewhere near where they were staying to get their pray on, should they be so inclined.

fergaldevlin · 05-03-2015 5:08pm

Silence Infidel..... @><@...!

Mesrine65 · 05-03-2015 5:10pm

fergaldevlin wrote: »

Silence Infidel..... @><@...!

Ireland is not friendly enough to Muslim tourists

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