Saturday, January 06, 2007

Muslim Cab Drivers vs Dogs and Alcohol

In my book if you don’t like animals or think they are dirty. You are shit to me! I don’t have to like you or put up with you either! Frankly I would get a rental car before I would ride with you anyway! YEAH CAN’T F#@!ing DRIVE!!! AND TAKE A BATH ONCE IN A WHILE!!! I HEARD FROM OTHERS THAT YA ALL SMELL REALLY BAD!

Officials at Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport are proposing stiffer penalties - including suspension of an airport taxi license - to Muslim cab drivers who refuse service to passengers toting alcohol or service dogs.

Officials on Wednesday asked the Metropolitan Airport Commission for permission to hold public hearings on a proposal that would suspend the airport licenses of cab drivers who refuse service for reasons other than safety concerns. The penalties would also apply to drivers who refuse a fare because a trip is too short.

Drivers would have their airport licenses suspended 30 days for the first offense and revoked for two years after the second offense, according to the proposal.

Airports Commissioner Bert McKasy said the issue raised by Muslim cab drivers who say that carrying alcohol or dogs, including those that help people with disabilities, violates religious beliefs is "unfortunate."

Each month, about 100 people are denied cab service at the airport. Airport officials say that in recent months, the problem of service refusals for religious reasons has grown. About three-quarters of the 900 taxi drivers at the airport are Somali, many of them Muslim.

Hogan said the goal is to have a new policy in place by May 11, when airport taxi licenses come up for annual renewal.

"We want the drivers to know about the policy in advance, so that if they don't think they can work under these conditions, they have the option of not renewing their license," Hogan said.

Last year, the airports commission received a fatwa, or religious edict, from the Minnesota chapter of the Muslim American Society. The fatwa said "Islamic jurisprudence" prohibits taxi drivers from carrying passengers with alcohol, "because it involves cooperating in sin according to Islam."

Eva Buzek, a flight attendant and Minneapolis resident, said she was recently refused service by five taxi drivers when she was carrying wine as she returned from a trip to France.

"In my book, when you choose to come to a different country, you make some choices," said Buzek, a native of Poland. "I never expected everything to be the same way as in my homeland, and I adjusted. I never dreamed of imposing my beliefs on somebody else."

But Hassan Mohamud, imam at Al-Taqwa Mosque of St. Paul and director of the Islamic Law Institute at the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, one of the largest Islamic organizations in the state, said asking Muslims to transport alcohol "is a violation of their faith. Muslims do not consume, carry, sell or buy alcohol, and Islam also considers the saliva of dogs to be unclean, he said.

8 comments:

Mike's America said...

If the Muslim American Society can issue a Fatwa, then so can Mike's America.

My fatwa is that if anyone comes to this country, they obey OUR laws, and don't try and push THEIRS on us.

If they don't like OUR laws, they can get the F. out.

dcat said...

That is how I see it too Mike!

BTW it is ok to use that word! Some don't understand how fucking angry ya are till you use it! Shows you mean business! It's one of my faveorite words lately.

Mike's America said...

Well I do feel the need to make a good fatwa now and then, but it's usually after eating Mexican food!

And I may go on my own Jihad too!

P.S. Just out of curiosity: Is there a reason to have both comment moderation AND word verification? I hate typing in all those squiggly letters.

Anonymous said...

These cabbies suck. But I wonder if you're this upset with the Christians who refuse to fill birth-control prescriptions. Somehow I doubt it.

dcat said...

Zombie you are a phising fool and only your hairdresser knows for sure! Heh!

I don't see anything about birth control at this post! OT jerk!

Unknown said...

I agree, being a Muslim myself I hate those who think they can push what ever they wish on people, the True followers know that it's bad but it's down to what you believe, and you must always respect other traditions. FYI, it does say in the religion that one must respect the customs of the land that they travel to and or live. So those people who deny services like this is just plain wrong, if you get dirty you can always wash it off, whether it be dirt, dog saliva, pork or what ever, rules are, just wash your self and you will be clean, i don't know what the big deal it some times, .... ahh the mysteries of the brain less

dcat said...

Thank you Ryan!

Live and let live!

dcat said...

It's just that easy!