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Tokyo company debuts Mobile Mosque ahead of 2020 Olympics

10 Comments
By NICOLA SHANNON

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10 Comments
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I don’t get the problem with the moaners here.

If this Mobile Mosque is not in any way funded by the taxpayer, there is no problem. I have no time for Islam or any other religion, but people should be allowed to pray to whatever or whoever they like.

It’s called freedom of belief. The ones who tend to dislike this idea often tend to be authoritarians and intolerant religious types.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

But if someone should wish to pray, whatever religion, it would be nice if there were more vehicles for various believers.

I agree. I think it's because prayer rooms are a new concept in Japan, and somehow Japanese people think that only Muslim people are using prayer rooms. It's different from western countries where people are used to many different backgrounds of faiths, hence the name meditation room or reflection room is more commonly used.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Plus as far as I know, muslims are obliged to pray 5 times every single day, whereas there is no such thing in Christianity or other religions, where one is obliged to pray once in a week, or anytime they wish.

Indeed, I think that some people forget the call to prayer is not a random, whenever event.

Hence, ideas such as the mobile prayer vehicle.

But if someone should wish to pray, whatever religion, it would be nice if there were more vehicles for various believers.

I'm an atheist but my workplace (not here) had a prayer room for everyone, if they had to or so wished to worship. Even us atheists could use it to contemplate, as well.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Yes indeed, why the bias? Christians, jews, hindus, buddhists, jains etc arent being accomodated but only muslims are. Why?

I am, myself a Muslim that has living in Japan for many years, also intrigued, because I didn't remember that I demanded a truck for praying (or any praying spaces in train stations or airports, for that matter), since I always arrange my schedule so that I could pray at home or in mosques whenever possible. I think it's because recently there has been a sharp increase of tourists from Indonesia and Malaysia due to the easing of tourist visa procedures and Japan wants to welcome those muslim tourists even more, so the reason is more or less about business. Plus as far as I know, muslims are obliged to pray 5 times every single day, whereas there is no such thing in Christianity or other religions, where one is obliged to pray once in a week, or anytime they wish.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Yes indeed, why the bias? Christians, jews, hindus, buddhists, jains etc arent being accomodated but only muslims are. Why?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It is a nice idea. I do agree that taxpayer money should not be used to fund it.

Also in the interest of being totally inclusive, consideration should be given to mobile synagogues, mobile churches, mobile Bahai houses of worship, mobile monasteries, mobile Jain temples, mobile mandirs, etc.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

All well and good as long as no taxpayer money is being used, directly or otherwise, for this.

If not, knock yourselves out.

If yes, knock it off.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I'm not a Muslim and never will be, but I had to give credit to people who aren't afraid to pray in front of others. I was in Yokohama station not long ago, and a Muslim was bowing and praying on the platform as the crowds milled around him. And I have used the greeting myself "peace be unto you, and unto you be peace". No matter what your religion is, that is beautiful.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Very nice omotenashi :-bd

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Good for them. Sadly, I can't see this thread going well.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

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