Theological Implications of Sewage

Crusader toilets built by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, in the Castle of Saint Peter at Helicarnassus, Asia Minor (now Bodrum, Turkey)



Perhaps you thought that the bottom had been scraped when we learned of the successes by Muslims in the UK to ban Piglet, and other imaginary pigs from school libraries.

Others may have thought they had fallen unwittingly into a Monte Python script when reading about prison guards being ordered by Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers to take down lapel pins depicting the English national flag (the cross of St. George) because they were offensive to Muslim prisoners.

No, much as current events resemble a Monte Python skit we are just being made aware of how public policy makers have become willing Dhimmis in jolly old England. Now, via that font of all arcane knowledge, Kathy Shaidle, we learn of this newest twist on things Brittanic.

Bristol: An Asian housing association in Britain has built a block of flats especially designed not to offend Muslims - the toilets do not face Makkah.

The 16 flats in the St Paul's area here have been built by Bristol-based Aashyana Housing Association, an Asian-led organisation. The toilets in the apartments have been built in such a way that they do not face southeast.

Farooq Siddique, from the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society, said he welcomed developments that took into consideration the cultural diversity of tenants.

He said: "I think it is a good thing that the flats are designed in this way. We do live in a multi-cultural society and rather than just paying lip service to that, it is important that there are policies in place that address it.

"Having toilets facing the right way is an issue that comes up, as Muslims do not like using them if they are facing in that direction."

At first, dear reader, I was uncertain what to think. Accordingly, I consulted a very learned colleague of mine who could not understand all the emphasis being placed on certain points of the compass. As he astutely noted, "The thrust of the whole business seems to be downward."

Having regained some perspective on the matter because of his wise counsel I began to reflect on the consequences of the initiative. I realized I was not sufficiently knowledgeable about Islamic theology to fully understand the need for toilets to face away from Mecca. I could therefore neither endorse or rebut the plan.

But I did realize, in a sudden flush of insight, that as a result of Kathy Shaidle linking to this piece, Canadian home builders of all religious persuasions all over this country were beginning to reorient construction plans to make sure toilets in all new Canadian homes pointed directly towards ........... Toronto.