Originally Posted by CC_TA

Originally Posted by tattybadger

A compass is feck all use if you don't know where Mecca is in relationship to where you are!!

Is that right? :P

Superb - how does that work then, if you're in Pentonville nick?

Occurs to me that the iron bars across the windows might hinder prayer heading in the correct direction too!!

And who has not peeled off the mecca arrow in hotels and changed its direction?

Originally Posted by western

Originally Posted by CC_TA

Outrage bus go!

What's the problem? Everyone has a right to practice religion - remember these are detainees: not convicted criminals.




If this was the NAAFI I would mention something about issuing magnets to the custody Sgt to see how many different directions he could get prisoners pointing in. (But it's not - so I won't.)

And you are quite right, but where are the special concessions for Christians and others? As others have pointed out a sodding arrow on the floor is enough. FFS man why does everyone in this PC world think that Muslims are all pious religious folk rather than the normal mix of humanity?

I'm agnostic so I have a giggle at most religions are a bit daft. As for concessions for Christians and other religions - the vast majority of people in custody are treated very well. It is very hard to be mistreated when the custody staff go through their process by the book. (I must add that I have regular 1st hand knowledge of this but I do not work in a police custody role.)

Originally Posted by Mr_Deputy

Mind you I was pootling along an A road in Kent 2 years back and saw two guys stopped (one dangerously close to road/verge) for prayers about a mile apart. They were both facing in different directions.

I think there's a difference of opinion among muslims about which direction they point in.

Some argue that you should draw a straight line on a map between where you are and where the kabbah (sp?) is. Hence they point south east.

Astute, muslim navigators go for the shortest path, the great circle route to Mecca so they point north east.

It's all a load of rubbish anyway. Muslims who don't know the way to Mecca can just guess. You can't really point at anything except outer space if you're kneeling on the surface of a sphere anyway.

I think a nice compass mural on the floor of every police cell would be a nice touch, or they temporarily get use of a cheep button compass

Not really an issue is it? Put the bus away for when we really need it

Originally Posted by Magdovus

I agree, we shouldn't be giving people compasses- imagine the damage they could do with the sharp pointy bit.

On the other hand, painting an arrow into the ceiling is a good, common sense measure to address this.

I don't think it should be a big deal really. Our best weapon against religious fanatics is to show tolerance to mainstream religion.

No compasses, just a sign on the door, wall, or ceiling. Fair enoughski.

Originally Posted by western

Have any of Norfolk's finest visited a muslim country and found out how the local plod deal with this?

Maybe not yet but it wouldn't surprise me if plod sent loads of them on " Fact Finding Missions " complete with all expenses sometime soon, when oh when will we stop all this falling over backwards for every fcuker.????

Originally Posted by Ancient_Mariner

Originally Posted by Mr_Deputy

Mind you I was pootling along an A road in Kent 2 years back and saw two guys stopped (one dangerously close to road/verge) for prayers about a mile apart. They were both facing in different directions.

I think there's a difference of opinion among muslims about which direction they point in.

Some argue that you should draw a straight line on a map between where you are and where the kabbah (sp?) is. Hence they point south east.

Astute, muslim navigators go for the shortest path, the great circle route to Mecca so they point north east.

It's all a load of rubbish anyway. Muslims who don't know the way to Mecca can just guess. You can't really point at anything except outer space if you're kneeling on the surface of a sphere anyway.

That is interesting thanks Ancient Mariner. I'd heard there was some debate over it but not why/what.

Show Tolerance not preference for religious beliefs. Cells in our neck of the woods just have a direction to pray painted on the wall. They also have access to "most" Holy books if they are going to be kept in for a while and are well behaved enough to be trusted with it. I don't recall one being requested whilst I've been on duty.

Originally Posted by Ancient_Mariner

Some argue that you should draw a straight line on a map between where you are and where the kabbah (sp?) is. Hence they point south east.

Astute, muslim navigators go for the shortest path, the great circle route to Mecca so they point north east.

It doesn't work that way!!

If they are in Jeddah they will face East (ish) and if they are in Riyadh they will face West (ish). Which make is difficult if they are flying around Mecca (it's harem to fly over Mecca) at prayer time!!