An Islamic ‘brothers only’ day out at a popular water park is being investigated amid claims female staff members were subjected to vile slurs and harassment.
The Sunni Muslim group the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jam’ah Association of Australia (ASWJ) booked out the Jamberoo Action Park on the NSW South Coast on Monday for an estimated 800 boys and men.
Organisers for the ‘strictly brothers only’ event had reportedly requested there be no female staff members on shift.
Although management declined this request, it is alleged both male and female employees were told to wear long-sleeve shirts and ‘long tights’ to be ‘inclusive’ to their guests.
But some female staff members were allegedly told they ‘shouldn’t be here’ and called ‘b*****s’ and ‘sl**s’ by members of the group, reports the Illawarra Mercury.
Park bosses are investigating at least one report of ‘derogatory and degrading treatment’, while ASWJ leaders have launched their own investigation into the day out.
A source told the Mercury it was not just one isolated incident.
‘Whether there were complaints made or not I don’t know, but there were multiple girls affected on the day,’ the source said.
‘Young blokes were affected too, because they were sticking up for the girls.’
A spokesperson for Jamberoo Action Park told Daily Mail Australia it is ‘an inclusive operation and does its best to accommodate all guests’.
The spokesperson said the park is normally closed to the public between Monday and Thursday at this time of year but occasionally takes bookings which ‘may have their own operational requirements, from ticketing to catering of certain kinds’.
‘For the private booking this Monday, all ride and attraction operators confirmed for roster were required to wear sun-safe clothing, regardless of sex, as has been the case in previous bookings,’ the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson said the park had been ‘hosting this group successfully for four years’.
‘On this occasion they were generally well-behaved and it was a small group of boys who were disrespectful,’ they said.
‘This can happen with other groups where we experience respectful behaviour from most of the group and a few bad apples behave inappropriately.’
ASWJ is also reportedly investigating the incident.
‘We are currently investigating the complaints made against our patrons at Jamberoo Recreation Park,’ a spokesperson told the Illawarra Mercury.
‘Over the past four years, we have successfully collaborated with park management to ensure a positive experience for all attendees.
‘While incidents involving a small minority can occur in large gatherings, we want to assure you that we have strict agreements with park officials to promptly address any misconduct and enforce park rules.’
Daily Mail Australia made multiple attempts to contact the organisation.
The Australian ASWJ movement was spearheaded by Mohammed Omran, also known as Sheikh Abu Ayman, as a non-profit to service the Muslim community. There are multiple centres across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.