UK Muslim Kids Denied Legoland Fun Day
“The Legoland Windsor Resort prides itself on welcoming everyone to our wonderful attraction; however due to unfortunate circumstances the private event scheduled for Sunday March 9 will no longer take place,” a spokesman for Legoland was quoted by The Mirror on Thursday, February 27.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision made after discussions with the organizers and local Thames Valley Police, following the receipt of a number of threatening phone calls, emails and social media posts to the resort over the last couple of weeks.
“These alone have led us to conclude that we can no longer guarantee the happy fun family event which was envisaged, or the safety of our guests and employees on that day - which is always our number one priority,” he added.
The plans for the fun day were announced by Muslim Research and Development Foundation (MRDF) after they hired Legoland Park in Windsor, Berkshire, on March 9.
The day of “Halal entertainment” was suggested after the success of an earlier event that was hosted in Chessington World of Adventures theme park in Surrey for an Eid Fun Day last November.
The plans were disrupted after English Defence League and the neo-Nazi linked Casuals United threatened demonstrations at the Berkshire park.
The EDL and Casuals United have mocked up an offensive poster for the demo featuring Lego “warden” welcoming two other Lego figures: one dressed like a terrorist holding a gun and another in a full Burka.
The message from the warden reads: “Muslim welcome. We hate Christians.”
Apologize
Receiving a flood of hate messages and threats, the theme park apologized for Muslims for cancelling the family event, saying they were “appalled” by the hate messages.
“Sadly it is our belief that deliberate misinformation fuelled by a small group with a clear agenda was designed expressly to achieve this outcome,” the spokesman said.
“We are appalled at what has occurred and at the fact that the real losers in this are the many families and children who were looking forward to an enjoyable day out at Legoland.”
Legoland has also apologized to the Muslim foundation, MRDF, inviting them to visit the theme park during the season, due to start later on March.
“We would like to apologize to them and to the organizers, and to thank them for their understanding,” the spokesman said.
“We hope that they will all be able to come to visit us during the season.”
Hostility against British Muslims, estimated at nearly 2.7 million, has been on the rise since 2005’s 7/7 attacks.
A Financial Times opinion poll showed that Britain is the most suspicious nation about Muslims.
A poll of the Evening Standard found that a sizable section of London residents harbor negative opinions about Muslims.
Source: On Islam
