Brooklyn Muslim Teen Takes Credit For Rye Playland Hijabs Riot

After a brawl erupted between police and Muslims at Rye Playland Tuesday, local officials defended what some have criticized as a disproportionate use of force. "The incident was very quickly escalating," Peter Tartaglia, deputy commissioner of the Westchester County Parks Department, tells the Times, "and the police had no choice to interfere, or it could have turned into a riot." Video shows police pushing at least one Muslim woman to the ground, and over 100 officers responded to the melee, which was started by one 17-year-old girl from Brooklyn.

"I started the whole thing," Ola Salem tells Lohud.com. She says she was told to remove her headgear if she wanted to go on a ride, and recalls telling the attendant, "This has nothing to do with headgear. This is my religion." Salem complained to a manager, who refused to bend the rules, explaining that her scarf could get stuck in a wheel. As word spread among the 3,000 Muslims visiting the amusement park, a heated debate unfolded near the park's entrance.

Lohud.com reports that some members of the group were yelling at the women to just take off their scarves. "That's like telling a girl to take off her shirt," Salem's twin brother, Ali, recalls. He says he saw a park ranger push a Muslim woman, she pushed back, and then "Rangers pulled out sticks and started hitting people, taking them to the floor." In all, 13 people were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

Cyrus McGoldrick, civil rights manager at the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, tells the Times, "There seems to have been a disproportionate response in which police used excessive strength and force to subdue female protesters. That had a snowball effect on the antagonism and aggression that ensued."

Whether police overreacted or not, it seems the melee could have been avoided had the group's organizers communicated to their members that 10 of the 26 rides at the park would be off-limits to hijab wearers. According to emails obtained by Lohud.com, Playland officials were clear about the ban on hijabs and other "headgear," but a flier about the trip sent out to the group had no mention of hijabs being banned on certain rides. Still, Ali Shibah of Yonkers, who was part of the Muslim group, tells the Post, "I understand the point that this could be a safety issue. But they have to learn how to deal with certain groups... What would they say if the Virgin Mary wanted to go on a ride—to take off her hijab?"

It appears that Rye Playand's rules are stricter than other amusement parks'. Six Flags in New Jersey, for instance, permits hijabs on rides as long as they are securely wrapped around the head. On the other hand, Six Flags hasn't had a fatal accident since the '80s, and it may be that Rye Playland has tighter safety regulations because of a 2005 incident in which a 7-year-old boy who was killed on a boat ride at the park.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on September 1, 2011 11:42 AM

Comments [rss]

diablofreak

my religion told me to pick up a gun and shoot at retards like them. does that make it legal?

Wesley Main

I swear to fucking god between the black flash mobs beating up people left and right these butt hurt - spit in your face rag heads, white people are going to start unloading in more ways than one. Call me racist, a bigot, or what ever the fuck you want. I'm telling it how it is and white people are getting sick of all the PC BULLSHIT while getting passed over for everything from student loans to shitty jobs with minority quotas. Race and religion will always weigh first in this country, as it does in most of Europe. Everyone hates whites and white Christians or Jews. I couldn't give two shits less about religion or race but when a country ignores its internal quarrels among its populace, it will boil to the surface in a form we all know and love. Violence. We were all raised on it, so enjoy.

Rhi

They should ban her and anyone else who was part of that riot from the park indefinitely. But they won't. The park will be forced to apologize and give them free passes and probably issue some comment on the wonders and peace of Islam and then hold some Muslim Day festival to show that they aren't 'racist' (because that's what Muslims love to claim even though Islam isn't a race) and 'Islamophobic' (insisting you follow the rules isn't a 'phobia' which means fear, idiots).

Yet another win. They're just trying to subvert from within by constantly using overly-PC laws against their host country. Look at Britain and the Netherlands and Sweden. US is going that way just as quickly.

Whatever happened to there is no compulsion in Islam? And that the hijab/niqab is a choice, not mandated? Like they always insist whenever places like France try to ban it. They scream and yell that it's a choice, that women aren't forced. But then when they're asked to remove it, suddenly it's the singular most important part of their religion EVER and they'll go to Hell for doing so.

sharter

these people think that the world needs to cater to them i say screw them if they dont like it they can go back to their stone houses and donkey carts.

sharter

its simple

NO TOWEL HEADS!!!!

snickerdoodlegoth

Peaceful Muslims are so peaceful. Everybody knows the rules when they go to parks and the rules clearly state, for safety purposes to remove all hats, scarves, etc. Playing the victim/"Islamophobia" card won't work.

JOELYNK

It pays to know german
An Amish farmer riding through his field notices a man drinking from his pond, with his hand.The Amish man shouts:
"Trinken Sie nicht das Wasser, die Kuhe und die Schweine haben hinein geschissen!"Which means: "Don't drink the water, the cows and the pigs have crapped in it!"The man shouts back: "I'm a Muslim, I don't understand your gibberish. Speak English, infidel!"The Amish man shouts back in English:"Use two hands,
you'll get more!"

Joe

why does it not surprise me this young woman [attention seeking drama queen] started this goofy but violent 'incident'? ask any law enforcement officer what's behind most fights in bars, clubs, parking lots, homes... they'll tell you it was over a girl/woman, started/provoked by a girl/woman.

GR Lawler

Amen! Woman ARE RUDE and Self Centered and think they can do anything because their boyfriends usually protect them and no one tells them they are being rude.

Shmooklyn

And the misogyny trolls emerge!

ErstwhilePixie52

She's never heard of Isadora Duncan?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I...

caseinpoint

I meant "ensuing."

caseinpoint

"This has nothing to do with headgear. This is my religion."

I realize she's only 17, but her logic is essentially: "This isn't headgear because my own personal belief system defines it differently and thus you must adopt the same definitions of my religion whether or not you follow my religion, which is not bound by safety regulations that people outside of my chosen religion are bound to follow."

Slippery slope, there.

JOELYNK

than stay the h out of the amusement parks and go wear you stupid headgear and go sit in your freakin mask, mosque or whatever you call the azz hole place. DON'T DISRUPT GOOD AND HONEST FAMILIES THAT OBEY THE RULES AND WANT TO HAVE A NICE DAY OUT.

Heatherbk

"This has nothing to do with headgear. This is my religion."

I'm sorry for the girl as she couldn't get on the ride she wished for but regardless of whether she is a pastafarian, scientologist or whatever religion she believes in a headscarf is a headscarf. If the amusement park "learned how to deal with certain groups"as the commenter of the article says, then those certain groups as might as well learn how to deal with certain regulations. Regulations are there for a reason and it's not to promote discrimination based on religion but it's there to ensure safety for ALL riders.

mom4444441957

try that stunt in the south. you wouldnt succeed.rules are rules. just ask any good old boy who has had to remove his hat.

JOELYNK

HEY THETAILOR, IF PART OF YOUR DRESS VIOLATES THE RULES OF THE PARK OR ANY PLACE ELSE, THAN YOU EITHER REMOVE IT OR GET THE H OUT. YOU DON'T TRY TO CHANGE IT AT THE ENTRANCE UNLESS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PAYDAY..

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WEAR THAN YOU SHOULD HAVE CALLED THE PARK AND SEE IF YOU CAN GET PERMISSION TO WEAR YOUR CRAP. NOT INSITE A RIOT AT THE ENTRANCE WHERE OTHER PEOPLE WERE PLANNING TO HAVE A NICE DAY.
STOP YOUR BS AND START OBEYING AMERICAN LAWS OR GET THE F OUT

JOELYNK

TAKE YOUR FREAKIN RELIGION AND STICK IT IN THE CLOSET AND STAY THERE. YOU IDIOTS ARE JUST LOOKING FOR A FAST PAYDAY. SCUM LIKE YOU ARE DESTROYING THIS COUNTRY. TAKE YOUR MUSLIP CRAP AND GET THE F OUT

canofpeas

I'm beginning to understand why Europeans are so fucking sick of Muslims and their ridiculous religion.

scallywag

Does that then mean what is more important is enforcing rules even if it means having to occasionally crack someone’s head open? Which is to suggest what we should instead applaud is a culture that enforces its own preferred version of aesthetics and rules even with degrees of violence? Or is it simply a situation that if you refuse to abide by the rules then you should bear the consequences?

http://scallywagandvagabond.co...

iam draize

You people are poo-seeis. When cops start hitting you with batons you roll over, when rules are selectively enforced you follow them, when a victimized groups is targeted by your entire society..you join in the hate.

p-p-p-ppppppossies, every one of you.

angry_pickle

The rule is not selectively enforced: NO HEADGEAR.

when a victimized groups is targeted by your entire society..you join in the hate.

Funny because that sounds like every muslim country in the world.

nycpwt

Anyone who takes religion this seriously is scary in my book. I don't care what religion it is.

sharter

these towel heads will beat their wives when they go home and yet they have religous laws that are supposed to prevent men from looking at their women with lust in their eyes. These people are crazy.

sharter

stone their women

sharter

force them to wear towels on their heads

sharter

not allow them to pray with the men because they are inferior

sharter

not allow them to be seen in public

thetailor

"this seriously"? You mean um... wanting to wear their religious garment? You're scared of a scarf?

GR Lawler

yes and i am scared to hell of anyone who takes religion so seriously it determines what they wear. In fact I am scared of religion period. It is irrational and causes irrational choices and irrational Violence by ignorant gullible people.

HymietownHero

People will find a way to be violent and irrational with or without religion.

thetailor

We all have guidelines which guide our behavior. People wear shirts and pants in public because society demands it, and because it is appropriate. Jews can wear yarmulkes. Christians wear Easter Bonnets. Many fans wear baseball caps to baseball games even though they won't be asked to play.

If your problem is ignorant, gullible people, then I'm with you -- but it's an issue that has nothing to do with following a peaceful religion.

GR Lawler

to be clear i think they should go by the rules. they are very arrogant to demand special treatment and criminal to start a riot and they are above all STUPID!! If your religion prevents you from riding an amusemant park ride maybe you should rethink your religion . also if your religion suggests to you to blow up thousands of people maybe it is time to rethink your religion

GR Lawler

NO my point is that i find ALL religions scary.

Eric Gordon

Amen to that!

MarleneTomTom

http://dclucky.blogspot.com/20...

Three nuggets of wisdom from dclucky's blog:

1. "Let me ask it this way - if this had happened in your native country and
you tried to "help" while they were being arrested, do you think it
would have stopped with another arrest...or a bullet?"

2. "Along those same
lines, what if an American woman went to and Islamic country and tried
to get away with NOT wearing a hajib? Do you think your homer
countrymen would be so understanding? We all know the answer."

3. "Why, if it is so hard to live here, did you move to America? If our
rules are so incredibly hard to follow, why not move home? What brought
you to this country? Was it, per chance, that there is freedom here?
Was it because, no matter what you do, you are not locked up or
persecuted? My guess would be a resounding, "YES!!!"

Yoma Ma

Rules are rules- and EVERYONE needs to follow them- if you cant remove your headgear you dont go on the ride- typically expectations of Muslims to expect different rules- and frankly based on Muslims and this girls comments you can see who escalated it. You are not only endangering yourself but others, and MANY parks have these rules- can you wear flip flops on roller coasters? Secondly where the hell is the so called organizer that was advised of the rules numerous times about the rules prior to this day? Nowhere to be found, shocker.
Also look up what happened on this same day in Australia - a woman wearing full Burqa armor was killed because her clothing got caught in the wheel while driving a go kart- killed on the spot. So once again these brain washed psycho freaks are ignorant beyond words and to state "what if the virgin mary wanted to go on the ride" says it all. Islam is evil and psychotic.

box211

Sounds like they want to make their own rules or will use violence. Isn't stuff like this happening worldwide? Maybe they need to lighten up. If they didn't like the rules they should have left without causing a riot.

sengssk

The nail that sticks out gets the hammer.

etypical

Rules are posted online. Rules can be found out by calling the amusement part and asking. Rules are made for everyone sweetie, if you don't like them you act like a civilized person and you boycott, you go on tv and tell everyone that Rye Playland is mean and no one should spend their money there. If you want to act like an animal that possess no logic or reason though, and you want to start a melee; fuck yourself and I hope the park banned you for life.

sleepswitheyesopen

"What would they say if the Virgin Mary wanted to go on a ride—to take off her hijab?"
I'd probably say "Holy shit! Its the Virgin Mary at an amusement park! Quick get your camera. This'll be better than my picture with Eeyore."

robingee

"What would they say if the Virgin Mary wanted to go on a ride—to take off her hijab?"

I know! What if a pink unicorn who farts cotton candy wanted to go to the Moon with a Care Bear? WHAT THEN?? HUH??

hotstepper

anything is possible on Planet Unicorn, Robin.

robingee

Give it up for Feathers.

Guest

Touché! You win the Internet today!

nes718

Let's face it folks. Muslims are the new Jews circa 1930's Germany. They are being targeted all over the world for the Hajib and other things. In fact the FBI goes out of their way to provocateur them into jail as terrorists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

BrooklynDnB

Oh shut up.

angry_pickle

hajib and other things

You mean other things such as suicide bombings, plane hijacking, kidnapping at the Olympics, video-taped beheadings and throat slitting, denying females education, insurgencies in nearly every country where they live? And somehow you are surprised that humans will fight back?

PrettyAmiable

Yeah, it's totally reasonable to assume that all billion+ Muslims are suicide-bombing, plane-hijacking, etc etc folks. That's a totally reasonable generalization. Fight the good fight!

CurmudgeonNYC

This comparison is about as apt as comparing a rattlesnake to a gasoline truck.

edgie168

yes, everyone's out to get muslims. you've clearly got it all figured out, sherlock holmes. time to round up your buddies from the league of extraordinary gentlemen and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

whitecastlerock

she sounds like any other 17 year old. She didn't like what she was told, then started trouble.

zombiebob

>What would they say if the Virgin Mary wanted to go on a ride—to take off her hijab?"
Oh just stfu up Ali. Really shitty example.
I think these people are probably so overly-sensitive to real and percieved criticism etc that they over-reacted/ Guess what? Tough Noogies. They certainly aren't doing their image any good PR with this stunt, cause you end up looking like a bunch of self-centered maniacs wanting special treatment. They come off like a bunch of adolescent asshole hooligans. No head gear means no head gear, and it isn't to persecute you, it's for your own gdmn safety and the safety of others on the ride.

CurmudgeonNYC

This 17 year old is already an advanced moron. If the rule is there then presume it is for your safety and either suck it up and remove the scarf or just resign yourself that maybe you dont get to go on the ride.

More so, it does have to do with headgear because you are wearing headgear. Regardless if it is for your religion or because it matches your outfit. It is on your fucking head.

Mr Mel

Perhaps, our 17 year old, likes to provoke the authorities, she fits right in with the rest of the Hippies.

NYCKaY

"Whether police overreacted or not, it seems the melee could have been avoided had the group's organizers communicated to their members that 10 of the 26 rides at the park would be off-limits to hijab wearers." End of story. If you can't/won't take it off then you can't ride the ride. People are trying to make this into a racial/religious issue and it's not. It was about safety.

Dead Himmler

Muslims in the middle east= Fighting in various countries to overthrow dictators to win their freedom.
Muslims in the USA= Fighting to be able to ride a roller coaster.

boobloomberg

No muslim person was denied the right to ride the roller coaster. All park visitors are denied the right to ride the roller coaster with 'headgear.' This should not be about the hijab. The park's policy is not controversial.
It should be about the police response (appropriate/ inappropriate).

proudliberal1947

Here is a thought, (DANGER,DANGER thought process in the making), rather than go through all this BS and yes it is BS, lets promote the HATRED and FEAR, lets promote the Amusement Park, oh yes,yes, ask the Morons and BOZOS to KILL,KILL,KILL ( that your local COWARDLY Police, who FAILED to DEFUSE the situation, knew HOW TO escalate it but defuse, so lacking in the Fear and Hate building process). WHY NOT STOP at this point, DUH, contact the Imam and have a talk to find out the DIFFERENCES in the Muslim dress and LISTEN to both sides, yeah I know it is SO disappointing not to have justification for more HATE and FEAR, this education of ones self and those around you might just might lead to UNDERSTANDING and everyone knows the TERRORIST loving Anti American corporate OWNED republican, RACIST tea baggers DO NOT want understanding.
Like I said have a sit down and meet with the Local Imam and find out what the differences and the meaning of the clothing is, DUH!

Mr Mel

Not just an Imam, but a Priest, Minister, Rabbi, Wicca, Shaman, Orthodox Priest, Lubavitch Rabbi, Satmar Rabbi, Kaballist, Voodoer, Rastafarian, The Chief Justice and Anthony Weiner, because he's married to a Muslim woman.

BrooklynDnB

You make no sense. Drink some more.

AlexTheOriginalPartyDog

You are an atrocious writer. You should sue your grade school grammar teacher(s).

proudliberal1947

See it works.

I keep saying it misspell, use poor language skills and you will flush a IDIOT, self hating right winger everytime, they just can not resist putting others down, GOTCHA!, ROFLMAO

________________________________

AlexTheOriginalPartyDog

Great save, bro. Wish I could say you were right, but I'm fairly (some might say too) liberal. I just don't like dumb people.

HymietownHero

I don't mean to alarm you, but I think you should call an ambulance immediately. You are displaying the symptoms of a stroke.

mom4444441957

yeah yeah

sleepswitheyesopen

Jeeez, righteous word vomit. I'm all for understanding, I just wish I understood more than 3 sentences of what you wrote.

nicemarmot

I only read the caps-locked words and got this:

DANGER,DANGER BS BS HATRED FEAR BOZOS KILL,KILL,KILL COWARDLY FAILED DEFUSE HOW TO WHY NOT STOP DUH DIFFERENCES LISTEN SO HATE FEAR UNDERSTANDING TERRORIST OWNED RACIST DO NOT DUH.

I think he's saying Rye Playland is secretly owned by racist terrorists?

zombiebob

You really sound like an idiot and about as crazy as JPEditor, though on the other side of the spectrum (though not AS crazy). BOOBLOOMBERG is correct, and guess what? Muslims can be self-centered self obsessed grandiose pain in the ass pricks as well.

Roncore

well, since six flag's is comprised of parks all over the country, you should be a little more specific. I'm pretty sure Six Flags Darien Lake just recently had fatality this summer. Are you referring to the one in NJ, or specifically a fatal accident related to "headgear?"

John_Del_Signore

Please try reading before commenting. From the last paragraph: "Six Flags in New Jersey, for instance, permits hijabs on rides as long as they are securely wrapped around the head."

Roncore

Sorry, my brain's "new jersey" filter must have been on and ignored the text entirely.

Douche_McGee

What a bunch of retards these Muslims look like in all of this - they see it as anti-muslim of course, but the rules are there for a reason

nycpwt

They want to be able to do anything they want, period, no questions asked. I also have a feeling if an american woman wearing just a bikini walked down her street in whatever country she is from, that she would be the first to throw during the stoning.

JohnnyMothra

Why do you assume she's not from the U.S.?

Checking the links, she appears to be from Brooklyn, and was with a Muslim-American group.

caseinpoint

On the one hand, we should realize that American-born Muslims are American citizens just like anyone else. On the other hand, they should also realize they are bound to follow the same rules the rest of their fellow citizens have to follow and should not look for special treatment.

wss233

"What would they say if the Virgin Mary wanted to go on a ride—to take off her hijab?"
Yes, that's exactly what they'd say.

rnrnys

Truth be told, the Virgin Mary suffers from motion sickness and takes dramamine on long car rides.

healthstudent

If the Virgin Mary wanted to go on the ride, I think we'd have bigger problems than headgear.

cr17

Wear a hijab, sign a waiver.

zampano

So my yarmulke is OK?

nes718

Yeah, this would work. Let them sign a waiver absolving the park of any liability and the problem is solved.

gertah

That won't work. I wouldn't want to be on a ride like the Dragon Coaster where another person is wearing a scarf that could get caught in the wheels/tracks of the ride and jam our entire car or send it off the rails. I think that scarves, hats and sunglasses should be removed and not allowed on the ride at all. That includes hijabs, yarmulkes, tiaras and the pope's skullcap. Also, empty your pockets of anything that could potentially become a speeding projectile in the direction of fellow riders' heads behind you, such as keychains and cellphones.
Or, don't ride rollercoasters.

nes718

When was the last time an article of clothing derailed on of these rides? <crickets></crickets>

Mary

@nes718:disqus - see the link posted:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new...

PrettyAmiable

Jesus, it's like reading comprehension fail day at Gothamist. Thanks for the link about something completely unrelated to nes718's post. That woman's scarf did not derail the go-kart and hurt anyone else, therefore, this link does not support the idea that everyone would have to sign a waiver just because someone else is wearing a head scarf.

caseinpoint

Actually, there have been unfortunate deaths at Rye Playland in recent years and places like this have every reason to be vigilant in wanting to avoid disastrous situations, not to mention the ensuring lawsuits in our ever-litigious society. (And btw, you would have to ask EVERYONE to sign a waiver and basically send the message that the park can't guarantee your safety.) Such safety considerations are nothing new. I was once at a roller rink, of all places, that instructed me to take my baseball cap off because of the very same concerns - not wanting things flying off and tripping people or whatever it was. It seemed ridiculous to me at the time, but I didn't charge discrimination or start a riot. Compared to a roller rink, it's not at all surprising that an amusement park with high-speed rides on mechanized tracks does not want people wearing headgear or dangling scarves. If I was on one of those rides, I wouldn't want to see anybody wearing these things either, no matter what their religion or ethnicity is. Sorry, but safety first; one's chosen religion is their own matter and not something they can use to dictate to others or place above concern for public safety.

PrettyAmiable

Yeah dude, because hats fall off and people trip on shit that's on the ground when they're skating. Again, when was the last time you heard of a scarf stopping a roller coaster? Never? Oh, ok, because that was the point.