... to be annoyed at the Muslim who prays next to me in work?

[Beethoven]

I share a small office with two other people. A new guy has started who's a muslim, and will roll out his mat and start praying behind me. I know it doesn't hurt me, but I feel a little uncomfortable for the few minutes that he does it.

Am I being an unreasonable bigot?

This is worrying. This is EXACTLY why this man should raise this sensitive issue himself and not just assume it's ok. Not talking about heracles comment and my reaction ..but look how easily people are offended, the tensions it raises. She can not say anything. HE has to.

Because she could be accused of bigotry. As she has been on this thread.

So. I guess now you see. It isn't as simple as yabu and intolerant. It never is these days.

Padme - I am Buddhist and feel the spiritual need to do yoga, including sun salutations (which are not just a salutation to the sun) at least once a day.

What can you possibly say to that? That I am wrong to feel this need?

Maybe OP's colleague is hoping that someone will say something so he can sue her and the company for bigotry, harassment, religious discrimination, and some other PC charges I can't think of right now.

And what if he says no, i want to do it hete? He seems really quite insensitive snd oblivipus don't you think? Why is the onus on her and not him? I say tje onus lies squarely on his shoulders and he ought to be mpre sensitive. Do you?

Cote.. the same thought occurred to me. That is why, if i were the employer or a colleague, i would say nothing.

Times are changing - saying nothing isn't the answer. It's a fair challenge, and if the Bigot word gets thrown at you - that shouldn't stop you speaking up. You can't go through life letting people warn you off and control you with a few choice words - if you've got something to say.

I've been thinking about this (although not followed the whole thread).

If you'd titled it 'at the person who prays...' or 'the person who sings' or 'the person who smells'

then this might not be unreasonable.

You've singled this person out as a Muslim - so YADBU in that.

It'snot just words tbough Ani, people can lose jobs, livelihoods, large sums. Though i agree with you in princie. But just look how quickly the witchhunt started here. Truth is he doesn't need to pray so obviously and to such strict times, so why is he doing it?

If he doesn't need to pray then he could be sciving off - like taking a fag break - and using his religion to justify it. So it should be challenged.

So we can't even say he's a muslim when it's about muslim prayer practice? ok i think that proves how ludicrously sensitive this is, and how this woman is damned if she opens her mouth at all. heavens above.

Is that a joke?

sssssss

See? Ridiculous.

Just to let you know - apparently it's ok to use "retarded" in the perjorati e sense, as in "this debate is retarded" but itcs not ok to draw aytention to that. So ot sees with mnhq.

I think you are being slightly unreasonable.

Different religions observe praying in different ways.

I would be more offended by bad personal hygiene tbh.

The reason why saying " the Muslim who prays" is slightly offensive is that it is a depersonalising label. A more sensitive way would havd been to say "the Muslim colleague who prays". But it's hardly a bigotted expression! Really not worth the offence people have taken at it and the assumptions they have made about the OP basedupon it.

As for whose responsibility it is to speak up - well that's the responsibility of the person who feels ncomfortable, in the case the OP.

And of course it's possible to speak to him about it without being bigotted. Do it in front of witnesses if your so worried. How about saying something along the lines of:

"In my religion we are expected to be quiet around a praying person and not do anything to disturb their prayer. It's impossible to do this in a busy office, where business must continue as usual. How can we get around this problem?"

Maybe he'll be relieved that someone has brought the subject up, and he'll feel able to askfor a less intrusive space.

Maybe he'll thank you for your consideration and tell you not to bother doing anything different, just continue with business as usual and ignore him at his prayers.

Maybe he'll reply with an insulted sneer and you'll know you are not bigoted but he is.

Maybe just talk.

Most sensible post I have seen all day - Prettycandles.

I rescind all other posts and agree wholeheartedly with you.