Question for Muslim visitors to WDW

[Belle041281]

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.

ITA

I don't understand why all the comments about dress at WDW
Anywhere you go in the summertime you see skimpy dressed people. In fact Disney is the one place I CAN go and not be subjected to obscene t-shirts, or half-naked people. Has anyone been to any other parks such as Hershey Park or Six Flags? Most people just wear bathing suits. Not so at Disney.

 

[LukenDC]

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.

 

[salmoneous]

I know I'm opening a huge can of worms here, but I used to live in a neighborhood were most people were immigrants. It was always interesting to see the clash in style between parents clinging to traditional ways of life, and their Americanized kids.

One memory I'll always have was a Muslim mom in full traditional head/toe covering, who had taken her daughter (dressed like every other kid in the part) and was helping her learn to use her Heely's!

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

I'm not Muslim (in fact I'm an aethiest with Pagan leanings!) but I live in a very multi-cultural area of the UK and work as a community nurse so come across people of all religions. As such I have made it an aim to understand a bit about the people I live and work with and to not make assumptions based on someone's religious choices.

 

[BensMom]

I'm not Muslim (in fact I'm an aethiest with Pagan leanings!) but I live in a very multi-cultural area of the UK and work as a community nurse so come across people of all religions. As such I have made it an aim to understand a bit about the people I live and work with and to not make assumptions based on someone's religious choices.

I salute you! An open mind is why I am an agnostic. I resent people cramming their religious ideas down my throat ("My way or the highway"). I also do not believe in wearing one's religion on one's sleeve, so to speak, such as through dress, etc. Religion/spirituality, to me, is a very private and personal thing. Some people think that their dress, due to religious teachings, brings them closer to God/Allah, etc. I so disagree. It's a man-made idea/practice.

 

[maddiel]

Now see this is another reason why I'm so glad to be taking my kids to Disney World. We live in a mostly caucasian community where the most common religion is Baptist (we're United Baptist, I teach Sunday School). While our family has always tried to explain that there are different religions, for two little girls (ages 10 and 6 when we go) "seeing" will be so much more educational then "mommy says so"! And sad to say we have to travel a couple thousand miles to experience this!

You don't have to go so far, but WDW is probably more fun than Clayton Park! The mainland north areas of Halifax are quite a bit more diverse both ethnically and in terms of religion than much of the rest of the province. Both my DD's have had classmates who are muslim - I know at least one of DD13's friends wears a hijab as do many mothers at DD6's school. Women wearing burkas are more rare but I see them occasionally.

Interstingly, some of the issues on this thread - muslim bathing suits, teens wearing the hijab (or not) - have been brought up on "Little Mosque on the Prairie". The non-Canadian posters might want to check it out on youtube.

M.

 

[ducklite]

Wow - this is a fascinating thread. I didn't know about the daily prayer place in Morocco. I really hope that privacy is respected.

I've seen Muslims praying in Morocco, and have always stepped out of that area quickly as to not disturb them.

BTW, I have friends who are Muslim. She is far more religious than he is. I have offered to cover my head when I'm in their home, and he laughs and says it's not at all neccesary. He also skips prayers sometimes, much to the chagrin of his wife.

While she doesn't wear a burka, she wears modest clothing--long sleeves and long pants or long skirt, although on the hottest of days when she is only with immediate family and a couple girlfriends in her home, she has been known to wear very brightly colored Lily Pulitzer capris and a t-shirt. When she is outside of her home or if non-relative males are in her home, she covers her head. The husband has made it abundantly clear that this is HER choice, not his. She also points out that the more religious male Muslims also cover their heads. She has told me that her modest dress and head cover are her way of serving God, although she feels that the burka is repressive, and doesn't believe that women are subservient to men.

They have taken their kids to WDW twice, both times they stayed DVC and prepared most of thier meals in the villa, although they have eaten in Morocco and have gotten cheese pizza in other parks.

Anne

 

[Briarmom]

I live in a country where most of the people are Muslim, so I am the odd-woman out here. I get stared at a lot. I wear jeans, and at the very least T-shirts, even in the warmest weather (I can't wait to wear shorts and a tank top this summer!). DD3 is very blonde and blue eyed. If I had $1 for every time she was grabbed, touched (esp the hair), KISSED!!, or had her picture taken, I'd be wealthy.


I hear the call to prayer all day every day. You just get used to it. The people are people. Just like you and me.

 

[jaycat]

One of the reasons I love to go to Disney is that I am opened to so many different cultures. I know that in the Orlando area there are religious gathering places for just about any religion you can think of. To the OP, like others have said Disney offers many kosher food options and prayer sites. You could always call Disney up and ask haw many prayer sites are offered and where, and many guide books and internet sites have a list of restaurants that offer kosher dining options.

 

[ajcolorado]

Thank you all for your great input. Religion is one of those tricky subjects - isn't it? I am an American Protestant Christian and greatly appreciate it when people offer the gift of openness and dialogue about their faiths. I've had several Jewish people write and offer their insights and dietary suggestions and I really appreciate it. This whole thread was started by my attending a class at church where two Muslims came and taught on the history and expansion of Islam from their perspective. They were comfortable with fielding questions about their own beliefs and customs. I've been to Disney World several times and have seen the Muslim families there - I even had a great time visiting with a couple from Turkey while in line at Test Track while it was shut down due to lightening. This lead me to do a quick search for information specifically designed to help Muslims enjoy WDW. There is info for vegans, pregnant ladies, diabetics, or those who follow a kosher diet (and a whole host of other issues) but not much for Muslims.

I thought that compiling some helpful information for Muslim visitors might be a way of showing hospitality and building bridges between people.

Someone suggested contacting the Disney dietary needs people and I did - not surprisingly, they were wonderfully helpful. I really appreciate the link for the company that sells Islamic swimwear.

One a sideline, it seems that that the Koran - like the Bible - encourages modesty but the exact application of that principle is largely dictated by tradition. The Hadith are a collection of the traditions of Mohammed and it is from the Hadith, more than the Koran, that Sha'ria (spelling?) law is developed. The more strict the group (like the Wahabis, of Saudi Arabia) the more prescribed the rules concerning dress. In some cultures, Muslim men will keep their knees and elbows covered (no shorts etc.) in modesty. Women are responsible for maintaining the Honor of the family.

In some countries (Egypt & Turkey were mentioned), the move towards veils etc. is being mobilized largely by women as a reaction to the overt sexuality associated with western apparel. In other countries (Afghanistan, under the Taliban) the dresscode was enforced by the men in control.

 

[ElizaB39]

Really interesting thread! Thanks for all the info.

 

[Virgo10]

Poor woman...I'd be rebelling if that were me!

Can someone enlighten me as to where the belly dancer at Morocco fits in to the dress code for Muslim women?

I can't answer this but I have a story. I really enjoy watching the girl who does the belly dancing at EPCOT. I'm old now but not even on my best day could I ever have done that! Anyway, she and the band were performing and when the show ended, two women in traditional Muslim dress came over and asked to have their photos taken with her. While they were not totally covered, they had the complete head scarf and long dresses, etc. I remember thinking, ah, so this is what it's like when cultures collide.

I suspect the whole belly dancing thing may predate the Muslim religion. Sort of a Christian May pole dance.

Well this explains it better.

Bellydancing as it is known today is very old. It retains its connection to fertility and eroticism by being an indispensable feature at weddings in many Middle Eastern countries, performing the multifold purpose of getting the bride and groom (who may have just met) in the mood, making a blessing of fertility on the couple, and providing entertainment for the guests. Today bellydance is enjoyed variously for its artistry, ethnicity, beauty, healthy eroticism and fun!

I know the husband was always in the mood after seeing her.

 

[BensMom]

OK, Virgo10, where can I sign up for the Central Florida Chapter of Red Sox Nation?!?!?!? I know, off topic, but how could I NOT see that big, fat Red Sox emblem in your post?!

 

[Forevryoung]

My best friend is an orthodox Jew- I've gone to Disney with her (and her now husband who is actually a CM!)

She only wears long skirts but I have seen her wear tshirts.

I was her bridesmaid and helped her pin up her gorgeous long hair the first time she put on a hat. Then I cried because I couldn't imagine the loss but she accepted it gracefully. She DID understand why I was crying though. She will not leave the house or have other men besides her husband see her hair. While her husband is orthodox as well, this is her decision... She wore pants when I met her and wouldn't ever consider covering her head! I'm much more used to it now and I've even bought her some scarfs.

In Disney, they brought sandwhiches and snacks into the park for most meals and ate a few of the kosher meals. I guess it's not so weird for me to hear them saying the prayers after meals or during the day. I'm used to it.

On the other hand, when her husband works at Animal Kingdom, he is not allowed to wear his head covering and he had to cut his pais (long "side burns"). Because both are NOT required even by orthodox law, he was able to. Your head only needs to technically be covered during meals apparently and the side burns is a custom thing (not every male).

 

[Virgo10]

OK, Virgo10, where can I sign up for the Central Florida Chapter of Red Sox Nation?!?!?!? I know, off topic, but how could I NOT see that big, fat Red Sox emblem in your post?!

Totally OT to this thread again. Sorry. Two weeks from today I'll be watching the Sox!!! I'm going to a Spring Training game in Lakeland where they'll be playing Detroit.

Feel free to borrow my sig.

 

[disneyfan67]

I salute you! An open mind is why I am an agnostic. I resent people cramming their religious ideas down my throat ("My way or the highway"). I also do not believe in wearing one's religion on one's sleeve, so to speak, such as through dress, etc. Religion/spirituality, to me, is a very private and personal thing. Some people think that their dress, due to religious teachings, brings them closer to God/Allah, etc. I so disagree. It's a man-made idea/practice.

Your whole post was very good and dead on. I feel the way you do and I'm agnostic myself with heavy leanings toward being an atheist. I was interested enough in this thread to read all the comments and for the most part, I found it educational. It made me glad that I was able to grow up in this country and in this society , which I was able to make my own choices concerning religion. Some people through out the world aren't that lucky and are shackled by an oppressive religion and the extreme teachings by some of the religious leaders that exist in the world today. I sometimes take it for granted that I can go anywhere in America and eat anything I want, without any thought of any religious practices. A interesting thread for sure.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

This has been a avery interesting thread. I am 1/4 Lebanese. My grandmother was Christian, but I often wonder about my muslim roots as well (supposedly there are some). I know some people see the coverings as a negative thing, but there is part of me that sees it as beautiful. I hope someday I can go and visit, and fill a a void I feel in myself. For the record I am Christian (attend a evangelical non-denomimination Christian church that I am on some odds with).

 

[BensMom]

Totally OT to this thread again. Sorry. Two weeks from today I'll be watching the Sox!!! I'm going to a Spring Training game in Lakeland where they'll be playing Detroit.

Feel free to borrow my sig.

Sorry, guys, we know this is OT, but, seriously, I tried to get tix to that game cuz it's so close, but the day they went on sale through the Tigers' website, I got general admission only, and I'm kind of a snob about where I sit, so forget it. Did you see Dice-K is supposed to be pitching 3/2?

Also, how does one upload a "sig""? Sorry for ignorance on this!

Again, guys, sorry, but Red Sox Nation is a religion to US!

 

[BensMom]

This has been a avery interesting thread. I am 1/4 Lebanese. My grandmother was Christian, but I often wonder about my muslim roots as well (supposedly there are some). I know some people see the coverings as a negative thing, but there is part of me that sees it as beautiful. I hope someday I can go and visit, and fill a a void I feel in myself. For the record I am Christian (attend a evangelical non-denomimination Christian church that I am on some odds with).

I dated a few Lebanese, Greek and Armenian guys back in Massachusetts "in my day," and they were all Christian. The Lebanese families all attended "Our Lady of the Cedars" Church in West Roxbury, MA. I am vague on religions of that part of the world, but I know the old school parents were very strict on who their Americanized sons brought home, if you know what I mean! I am a true WASP, and some of the mothers weren't too happy when I showed up! LOL I am not sure if it was a religious thing or a general "background" thing. The bottom line is I got to love all the ethnic foods (Greek, Armenian, Lebanese) and know the diff between Paklava and Baklava (none, LOL).

 

[ducklite]

In some countries (Egypt & Turkey were mentioned), the move towards veils etc. is being mobilized largely by women as a reaction to the overt sexuality associated with western apparel. In other countries (Afghanistan, under the Taliban) the dresscode was enforced by the men in control.

The friends taht I mentioned in post 67 are Egyptian, and as I mentioned, it is the wife who has decided to cover her head and dress very conservatively, her husband doesn't care either way. Although like I pointed out, she doesn't believe in the burka. She feels that the burka isn't a religious issue, it's an issue of power, dominance, control, and repression by men who do not follow the true teachings of Islam.

Anne