I want the Tokyo Games to be an opportunity to expand Japan’s contribution to Islamic society globally, and in the future use the mobile mosques at refugee camps, conflict zones and other areas for peaceful causes.

That's a nice gesture.

Its a business man trying to sell things, I'm not sure its all that nice as such.

And shouldn't peoples personal beliefs be their own to sort out, rather than being likely being funded public money during the olympics, Japan is a secular country.

Every athletes village at every modern games has a variety of religious facilities for competitors and staff to use: mosques, temples, churches, synagogues and so on. What's that got to do with Japan being a secular country, as you claim it is? Why shouldn't someone provide extra facilities for those who need them?

I’ve seen Moslems and Christians praying in airport lobbies and on a bus (many decades ago). Some Christians even pray in fast-food restaurants (just before they eat that stuff) so I don’t know if any religious person needs a mobile place of worship. Probably most would prefer not to be distrubed.

secular doesn't mean you can't respect other religions.

None of the 3 monotheistic religions need a building for worship. Kosher and Halal prepared food might be a better gesture.

I have seen pilots from Gulfair, pray right outside the cockpit before take-off.  I completely agree with Borscht, here. Anyone belonging to no matter what religious group can pray without a particular venue. On top of that, Muslims have a very practical religion where they can ask and get exceptions to prayer session. When travelling, when sick,.... so there is no need for these elaborate installations. The Olympics take only 15 days. Rather then demanding or requesting (here it is offered, not requested, I know)  special attention they would do their religion a world of good by coping with circumstances, surely in Tokyo  not to bad.

secular doesn't mean you can't respect other religions.

I don’t understand the ‘other religions’ here. Secularism to me means respecting the right of all people to practice their religion unmolested. A great thing.

My idea of secularism also means no public money should ever be used to cater to the religious.

These “mobile mosques”are fine as long as taxpayers aren’t required to foot the bill.

My idea of secularism also means no public money should ever be used to cater to the religious.

These “mobile mosques”are fine as long as taxpayers aren’t required to foot the bill.

Who said they were?

Yasuharu Inoue, who is president of an event organizing company.

Its a company. Not the government.

All places of worship in Japan could be considered secure. Muslims don't need special prayer trucks they just need a room. Even here in Kobe with a large number of Muslims you will see them occasionally praying in some quiet corner of a shopping mall.

excellent point

Will they charge to use them?

hopefully not.

None of the 3 monotheistic religions need a building for worship. Kosher and Halal prepared food might be a better gesture.

An excellent point. There could be a lot of trouble with food during the olympics as so many people are coming with special dietary needs. It would be interesting to see what becomes of that.

As Zichi said, muslims can pretty much pray anywhere- and Japan actually offers alot in that respect as there are many places where shoes are not allowed.

Jimizo, precisely.

Yasuharu Inoue, who is president of an event organizing company.

Its a company. Not the government.

That doesn’t mean taxpayers’ money won’t be used. I’d like to know who will foot Mr Inoue’s bill if these mobile mosques are used. He is waxing lyrical here but I’m pretty sure he’ll want paying after making this inspired and noble sales pitch. If it’s something like religious organizations or private donations paying out, knock yourself out.

As long as the taxpayer isn’t on the hook for this, it’s all fine.

There are already inflatable mosques on the market, so why not a mobile mosque? I see no problem. But it better be a real mobile mosque, not just some cheap rental truck with a sanitised prayer space in the back. I'm expecting minarets, a dome, a fully decked out interior, an Imam (with a decent length beard) and the call to prayer blasting out of speakers to attract the faithful as it rolls down the street. Of course it will have to meet all the safety standards and height limitations but they have over 2 years to get it right.

JimizoFeb. 21 06:03 pm JST

Yasuharu Inoue, who is president of an event organizing company.

Its a company. Not the government.

That doesn’t mean taxpayers’ money won’t be used. I’d like to know who will foot Mr Inoue’s bill if these mobile mosques are used. He is waxing lyrical here but I’m pretty sure he’ll want paying after making this inspired and noble sales pitch. If it’s something like religious organizations or private donations paying out, knock yourself out.

Where does it say that our tax money is going to be used? Or are you just trying to fan the flames of a fire that isn't there?

Do you have ANY proof that tax money is going to be used? Go on. Show me.

And if you had bothered to do your homework you would have known that it is illegal in Japan for them to do so.

After 1945, the government was forbidden to support Shinto (or any other) religion in Japan. They have a general policy of separation of church and state, much like the USA.

They get their money to function by donations. Individuals can donate as they feel lead to.

https://www.quora.com/How-are-Shinto-shrines-funded-in-Japan

Lets repeat that again: After 1945, the government was forbidden to support Shinto (or any other) religion in Japan.

NOW, YOU tell ME: Where does it say that tax money is going to be used? Where?

Aly, I think you're right about the law on funding specific religions, but the government can still fund things that support religion generally, like prayer spaces at the airport for example. I think it's this sort of grey area of promoting religion that Jimizo might be suspicious of?

It's also why I'm skeptical that we will ever get a real mobile mosque if the government gets involved. When Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik commissioned the Umayyed Mosque in Damascus, I don't think he would have settled for a multi-faith non-denominational prayer space in the back of a Toyopet truck. One does not promise a 'mobile mosque' and expect to get away with delivering just a bland prayer room on wheels.

Sceptical as I am of all faiths, I can't see any reason to be against this idea. Be it mobile mosques, synagogues or churches.

As long as it's not a money-making scheme.

Aly, I think you're right about the law on funding specific religions, but the government can still fund things that support religion generally, like prayer spaces at the airport for example. I think it's this sort of grey area of promoting religion that Jimizo might be suspicious of?

Agree with you. But I'd like to quote Alfie Noakes as his quote is worth it:

Every athletes village at every modern games has a variety of religious facilities for competitors and staff to use: mosques, temples, churches, synagogues and so on. What's that got to do with Japan being a secular country, as you claim it is? Why shouldn't someone provide extra facilities for those who need them?

Sceptical as I am of all faiths, I can't see any reason to be against this idea. Be it mobile mosques, synagogues or churches.

Agree. I personally feel that it is a gesture of good will and it shouldn't be slammed.

@Aly,

Don't mind you lumping me in with Mr Noakes but the last paragraph quoted is mine :-)

My apologies Heretic

NOW, YOU tell ME: Where does it say that tax money is going to be used? Where?

I didn’t say public money was going to be used. I said these facilities are fine as long as the taxpayer doesn’t foot the bill. A lot of taxpayer money is being used to fund these games, and as long as none of this money is used to cater to the religious, no problem. I am also sceptical of the competence of the organizing committee to get this right. They have hardly been on the ball up to now. M3M3M3 also made a valid point on this issue. It’s not as clear as your quote from Quora makes it sound. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to envisage a bill for general ‘facilities’ turning up somewhere.

I think we are actually in agreement on the basic principle - no public money should be used to cater to the religious, and that goes for religious people of any stripe.

@Aly

No worries!

I didn’t say public money was going to be used.

Then stop complaining! Until you find something that proves it will be used.

and as long as none of this money is used to cater to the religious, no problem.

So if the players have certain dietary needs due to their religious habits they should be ignored? That's catering to the religious. This is ridiculous. If you don't want to cater to the religious, don't host international events.

I think we are actually in agreement on the basic principle - no public money should be used to cater to the religious, and that goes for religious people of any stripe.

Actually we are not in agreement- For better or for worse, we have agreed to host the Olympic Games. Part of that is accepting that religious people of all stripes will come here and that it is our responsibility to make them feel comfortable since we decided to host this event.

Anyone needing special service for their religious beliefs should be accommodated whether it’s dietary or spiritual.

Our tolerance and respect for one another is what separates us from extremists of any stripe- religious or secular..

As an atheist, if I need to suddenly meditate, I can do it pretty much anywhere. Oddly enough, I can even do it in a place of worship despite me being a heathen :-)

Best place to do it (imho, natch) is in the great outdoors, contemplating the majesty of misty mountains, the delicate sound of thunder and the spray of ocean rain.

@Aly Rustom

Oh, you do believe taxpayer money should be used to cater to the religious. Fair enough.

I don’t understand your real hostility towards me here. It’s just a difference of opinion.

Our tolerance and respect for one another is what separates us from extremists of any stripe- religious or secular..

Why ‘or’? Many people who believe in the separation of church and state, secular values, are religious.

I am very wary of those people who don’t believe in this separation. When this separation is violated, it is something to worry about.

I believe in tolerance too - that is a secular value best protected by a secular government. The most tolerant countries in the world are secular or functionally secular.

I believe the religious should be free to practice their religion as long as they pay for it. Their institutions already get exemption from tax. Don’t expect the taxpayer to give them more - visitors or residents of the country.

What Jim said.

Religion shouldn’t have any part in the lives of those who choose not to accept it. Otherwise, society becomes like it has in too many fundamentalist/extremist regions... truly horrible.

I’m a Christian, though....

Oh, you do believe taxpayer money should be used to cater to the religious. Fair enough.

I don’t understand your real hostility towards me here. It’s just a difference of opinion.

Went back and took a look at my posts. You are right. I was rude to you. It was uncalled for and I'm sorry.

Why ‘or’?

because there are extremists that are also non religious. That's what I meant. Separation from all extremism.

I believe in tolerance too - that is a secular value best protected by a secular government.

Doesn't always work. Saddam and Assad were extreme secularists.

The most tolerant countries in the world are secular or functionally secular.

Not really. We come from the UK. The UK is not a secular society. We follow (in theory) the Church of England. We are not secular.

I believe the religious should be free to practice their religion as long as they pay for it. Their institutions already get exemption from tax. Don’t expect the taxpayer to give them more - visitors or residents of the country.

Fair enough. BUT IF we are going to host international events of any sort, we should cater to all needs to show our hospitality. That includes religious people. I don't see that as an infingement on secularism. I see it as hospitality.

Jimizo- again, I'm sorry for yesterday's hostility. It was rude and uncalled for. I'm sorry.