U.K. Muslim Parliament Members Pray In Ladies' Room
LONDON, April 6 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Muslim members of the U.K.'s House of Lords are facing an embarrassing battle of sorts with their female colleagues in the House.
Muslims peers have been granted use of the female lounge, along with washing and lavatory facilities, to conduct their daily prayers at times that do not clash with female members' needs.
But female peers are angry that they are forced to share one of the few women's bathroom with male worshippers.
Some Muslim women are concerned that women who wish to change for the evening or after coming from exercise might accidentally "collide" with praying Muslims and have lodged a formal complaint with the House of Lords' authorities about the issue.
Baroness Hamwee, a Liberal Democrat peer, said: "This arrangement gives scope for huge embarrassment on both sides. I do not question it if there is a need for a facility for Muslims to pray, but I would question strongly why the facility given to them is the one reserved for women."
"This is one of the few places where women can change before they fulfill their public engagements without being [in] full view of everyone if the door is opened, which can be particularly embarrassing," she said.
A House of Lords spokeswoman, however, said, "The system we have put in place is working well. The Muslim peers use it when there isn't anybody in there." She also said that Muslims would also be given their own room once space becomes available.
On the Muslim side, Lord Ahmed said: "We do have a place of worship. We have been using the peeresses' room upstairs. We have been allocated it. I am entirely happy with the arrangements that we have."
