Question for Muslim visitors to WDW

[Applemomma]

i think people need to remember this, that it is not "us and them" but "we"

Well said

 

[Andy B]

As in Christianity there are many sub sects within the Muslim faith. I have played sport with several over the years and some men drink and some do not, some women waer burkas some don't of those that do some do due to personal choice some due to pressure of peers.

It must be remembered that Islam, Judaisism and Christianity share a root. Abraham is a prophet in all faiths and Jesus is a prophet in Islam. Mohammed is a prophet also but is trated with much greater reverence than other prophets in the Islam Religion.

 

[Rneighh]

I don't think that dress alone says who that person is or is not. If my daughter (who is very curvey) wears a tank and shorts in the heat, so be it. Her actions are what really counts. Yes, men look at her -- they should she is beautiful. If some women is jealous of her hubby looking at a beautiful person, they are the ones with the problem in their relationship, not the girl being a tramp (or any other noun you care to insert).

Religious background can influence the way lots of people dress -- Muslins, Amish, Pentecostil -- as long as the way a person dresses is their own decision and not that of someone else so be it. But, I will continue to wear my jeans, shorts, tanks and swimsuit.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Great thread. Very interesting. Sometimes threads like this can get nasty, this a refreshing change of pace. Thanks everyone for being so mature and openminded.

Kudos for these women who chose to wear these garments out of respect for their faith even when it is difficult.

I'm always amazed at how little some folks wear at WDW. Sometimes in an effort to stay cool, I feel some go a little too far. I get embarrassed just looking at what some folks wear. I've heard they are cracking down on the tube tops and that is a good thing, I've actually been flashed by a wayward tube top, while standing in line for Peter Pan.

 

[laceemouse]

I don't think that dress alone says who that person is or is not. If my daughter (who is very curvey) wears a tank and shorts in the heat, so be it. Her actions are what really counts. Yes, men look at her -- they should she is beautiful. If some women is jealous of her hubby looking at a beautiful person, they are the ones with the problem in their relationship, not the girl being a tramp (or any other noun you care to insert).

Religious background can influence the way lots of people dress -- Muslins, Amish, Pentecostil -- as long as the way a person dresses is their own decision and not that of someone else so be it. But, I will continue to wear my jeans, shorts, tanks and swimsuit.

Nope, don't want any old geezer looking at my teen daughters....eeewwww!!!
Mine dress pretty modestly, shorts are not too short and tops don't show tummies, and tanks are not too skimpy or tight. We also prefer one piece swim suits, and my girls agree. They are impossible to find at the mall, we have to get them at swim shops (speedo brand, etc.)
Well, enough OT stuff, but I do agree with the modesty of Muslims, just not to the burqua extreme!!!

 

[KPeveler]

right rneighh
I usually dress covservatively, covering my shoulders and legs in public, even in WDW in august! however, i do this because i am confortable that way, not for any religious reason.

i say do what you are comfortable doing (as long as it isn't obscene - i've seen shorts so small i could see the top of her rear end, and her cheeks were hanging out the bottom! )

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

That might be so...But were I come from in the Uk there are a LOT of muslims and Iam yet to see one of the muslim men wearing anything even close to a burqua.
The men here all seem to wear westernized clothing whereas the women are a mixture..some in just head scarves and modest clothing but some the minority though wear full burquas with just their eyes showing.
It all depends round here on how strict the Husband or father is.

Have you ever actually ASKED them why they wear them though or is this just a wild assumption?

This topic is so interesting! Last time we were at WDW, we saw two families and my 13 year old asked, "why are the women/mothers covered, yet the teen daughters are dressed very skimpily". She remarked, almost skimpier than American teens. I thought that was an interesting observation. My daughter asked "do you think they're rebelling?"
Thoughts on this? Just curious if there are rules for the girls in the family? I know I'm probably very naive in this area.

Pashari's explaination below sums it up quite well but i know that a woman I know used to wear short skirts etc when she was a teenager but at the age of 20 she became more 'devout' and firstly chose to wear just trousers and long sleeved tops, then a head scarf and the shawa kameez (?sp) , then the hijab, then full burkha and now she even wears a veil over the burkha so you cannot even see her eyes. This is totally HER decision and has nothing to do with her parents or her (new) husband.

Likewise I have come across many Muslim men who dress 'westernised' but likewise I have met Muslim men who wear the more traditional 'modest' dress - it depends on their own beliefs.

A number of years ago I went on a guided trip to Spain. There was a Muslim mother traveling with her daughter and her niece (they were about 17 years old - the mom was probably in her 40s). As most of the other people on the tour with us (my mom & I went) were senior citizens we hung out alot on the 16 day tour of Spain/Portugal/Morocco. As to head covering, the mom wore one (also long sleeve shirts and pants). I asked the daughters why they did not and they said that it is a Muslim woman's choice to cover her head or not to cover her head and depends on where she is at in her spiritual journey to God.

It was interesting to note that the girls wore shorts and t-shirts in Spain and Portugal but wore long pants and long-sleeved shirts in Morocco. We did swim in a pool at one of the hotels in Morocco and the girls both swam with one piece bathing suits and the mom did sit on the edge of the pool and dip her feet in up to her calfs.

They also said that the storys you hear about men "forcing" their women to do anything usually come from a lower socio-economic class and have less education. That most women who choose to cover up do so of their own free will and actually feel more comfortable with the anonimity it gave them. The mom worked at the university in Cairo Egypt. She was married but her husband had died a number of years ago. The were somewhat affluent.

I guess I just don't want the misperception that if the average american see's a muslim woman with a head covering it isn't a sign of subserviance to a man, but more of their own way of showing their respect for God. After all, Muslim, Christian or Jewish - we are all children of Abraham.

hugs -

lisa

Spot on Lisa - I'm sure there are just as many 'Christian' women who wear what their husband tells them to as there are Muslim women who do so. The simple rules are: Don't make assumptions, don't do the 'sympathy' look if you see a moman wearing full coverings and live and let live!

In answer to the OP - as with every visitor to WDW, a muslim visitor can avoid or join in as much as they want. They can avoid pork products if they so wish and I'm sure there are palces where prayers can be done if they ask one of the CM's.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

If some women is jealous of her hubby looking at a beautiful person, they are the ones with the problem in their relationship, not the girl being a tramp (or any other noun you care to insert).

Noone is calling anyone a tramp. I was merely saying if they dress VERY perversely (as many said here with shorts that dont cover much more than a diaper) that the husbands/ boyfriends shouldnt get mad when men DO look. BTW, its not just old geezers looking at your teenage daughters when they dress that way; its men (and boys) of all ages, faiths, races, and beliefs. its only natural. I'm married, but I'm not blind (or dead!)
and once again, Im only referring to those that are dressing like they are selling something (you know what I mean). Everyone at disney is wearing shorts and tank tops. Thats only normal. Its the really REALLY obscene ones I'm referring to. the ones that are dressed so bad that my 9 year old son turns his head in embarassment. I expect people to dress for the heat. but some there really do take it too far. It IS a family park. There are children there.

back to the OP. I think you'll really enjoy your trip. I cant think of a more culturally accepting/embracing place on this Earth. Few places on Earth compare to the amount of acceptance and religious tolerance that you will find at Disney.

 

[Doombuggyman]

I expect people to dress for the heat. but some there really do take it too far. It IS a family park. There are children there.

I used to tell people, "There are some guests who would wear nothing but pasties and a g-string if Disney would let them." Once I moved to Florida and began going to the parks more frequently, I changed my mind about that. Now I tell people, "There are some guests who would walk around totally nude if Disney would let them."

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

If some women is jealous of her hubby looking at a beautiful person, they are the ones with the problem in their relationship, not the girl being a tramp (or any other noun you care to insert).

First off, Any lady who doesnt want her husband looking at half naked women has MORALS, not a problem. there is NOTHING wrong with having morals.
I wasnt referring to your precious curvy daughter, Dont take things so personal. What YOU are doing is making slanderous statements againts people who have religious beliefs about nakedness.

For example, Orthodox Jewish women do not look at a man (other than her husband) in a state of undress. The same goes for Othodox men, but vice versa. And certainly some people in WDW can be said to be in a "state of undress." there are some women who seem to confuse shorts with things that cover as much as a diaper!

 

[goofyernmost]

I remember on one of the hottest days of our trip last August...I saw a muslim family arriving at the MK,,The mum was head to toes in a black burqua.
I almost fainted thinking how HOT she must be....She was also pushing a double pushchair loaded with bags.
Her Dh on the other hand was dressed in shorts and a tee.

Kind of makes one appreciate what we have doesn't it. I get upset when I see that sort of thing happen. The woman dressed in black completely covered and the husband comfortable. I don't even think it is a choice situation and I will never understand how people can think that such inequality is a good thing. I just don't understand.

 

[ton80]

Maybe Disney Should Build Another Park In The Mid-east
For Muslim Visitors. Ex Non Alcoholic Non Pork.

 

[LukenDC]

Mulims are just as enchanted by Disney as Westerners. Prior to 9/11, there were regular charter flights between the Middle East and Orlando. A Saudi prince is the lead investor in Disneyland Paris. In the news and on TV, I often see pictures of Arab children wearing Disney-print clothing.

I have an Iranian Internet friend who lives in Tehran. He made a special trip to Disneyland Paris to enjoy the magic. He is so envious of my trips to WDW and wishes that he could visit too, but it is nearly impossible for Iranian men to get tourist visas to the USA.

I intend to invite my Shiite Muslim Syrian friend who lives in Washington, DC to spend at least a couple of days with me at WDW in the fall.

 

[KPeveler]

Kind of makes one appreciate what we have doesn't it. I get upset when I see that sort of thing happen. The woman dressed in black completely covered and the husband comfortable. I don't even think it is a choice situation and I will never understand how people can think that such inequality is a good thing. I just don't understand.

I do not know what you mean, "what we have." Do you mean we as Americans, we as non-Muslims, we as what? Odds are, most of the muslims coming to wdw came from this country. maybe they are under social pressure to stay covered, but perhaps they are not. please don't make assumptions.

personally, i think a culture which stresses modesty among women (not to the extreme of the Taliban! just women more covered) is better than one that pressures girls to take all their clothes off!

the wonderful thing about this country is that if that woman wants to dress like that in a way you consider unequal, that is her right. it is also your right to disagree. that is one of the great things about america. you can both be right and completely disagree.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Kind of makes one appreciate what we have doesn't it. I get upset when I see that sort of thing happen. The woman dressed in black completely covered and the husband comfortable. I don't even think it is a choice situation and I will never understand how people can think that such inequality is a good thing. I just don't understand.

As has been pointed out previously - it is often the case that it IS the woman's choice. Would you say that Amish woamn wear long skirts and head coverings because they're 'told' to or because they do so according to their religious beliefs?

I visited a family today (as a community nurse) and it was very obvious who was 'in charge' of the family....the mother and grandmother were giving out all the orders and the menfolk in the house were rushing round doing what they were told. Both of these women wear the full burkha when they are out of the house. Please don't make assumptions!

 

[SeattleRedBear]

I am trying to compile some information about about common issue faced by Muslim guests to Walt Disney World. Some that immediately come to mind are:

Riding wet attractions like Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids when you are "covered"

I'm not a Muslim, but have experience with going to the water parks fully-clothed. Our best friend is 'allergic' to intense sun (I don't remember the name of the condition) and she has very light weight clothes treated with a UV blocking agent. She was able to enjoy all the attractions at Blizzard Beach wearing her pants, top, floppy hat and water shoes. If I remember, she had to take off her shoes and hat for summit plummet but the rest of the time she was fully dressed.

 

[calgarygary]

Kind of makes one appreciate what we have doesn't it. I get upset when I see that sort of thing happen. The woman dressed in black completely covered and the husband comfortable. I don't even think it is a choice situation and I will never understand how people can think that such inequality is a good thing. I just don't understand.

I do agree that you don't understand. Try not to make assumptions about people, don't be afraid to communicate with those different than you, and the hardest part of all, try to view things through others' eyes and you might surprise yourself with a growth in understanding. To the OP, I have seen prayers being conducted in the parks - you can often find a quiet, off the beaten path spot where people will respect your privacy.

Totally OT, they built a new children's hospital here in Calgary that features a sacred space for conducting prayer, sweet grass ceremonies, and it has a compass. It also has a healing gardens and trees that are considered sacred to local tribes. Nice to see that type of change.

 

[pearlieq]

I have noticed that there is a halal market/restaurant just outside WDW property (on the same road w the Wal-Mart). It's in a strip mall but it's pretty well marked.

 

[BensMom]

Secularist agnostic. This is where I stand. All these religious "rules" are man-made and exactly that. Silly, if you ask me, and don't flame me, because it's the way I feel. But now we are off topic, and this thread can take a terrible turn if we let it. All the person asked was some advice on attending WDW being Muslim.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I want to thank the OP for starting this thread. We have an abundance of Christian opinions on the CB, we have Jenny teaching us about the teachings of Judaism, and we have a number of posters who don't believe in God or aren't affiliated with any religion, but I haven't read much from the Muslim perspective. We could all learn a LOT from our Muslim members and I hope they feel comfortable posting here and helping us all learn more about their faith.