Canada: Tribunal to rule on guide dog vs. religion (Muslim cabbie refused service to infidel w/ dog)

North Shore News (Vancouver B.C.) ^ | November 15, 2006 | Jane Seyd

[Stoat]

Tribunal to rule on guide dog vs. religion

Jane Seyd

jseyd@nsnews.com

A case potentially pitting rights of the disabled against religious beliefs will be heard by the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal after a blind man from the North Shore who uses a guide dog to get around launched a complaint against North Shore Taxi.

Bruce Gilmour filed the complaint after a cab driver from North Shore Taxi refused to let his guide dog into the cab in January of this year. Gilmour, who says it's not the first time he's been refused service by a taxicab, is complaining that North Shore taxi discriminated against him on the basis of physical disability.

But the taxi driver, Behzad Saidy, is arguing his Muslim religious beliefs will not allow him to take dogs in his taxi, because Muslims can't associate with dogs.

According to documents filed with the Human Rights Tribunal, North Shore Taxi said about half of their drivers are "unable to take animals in their taxis due to medical or religious reasons."

The taxi company asked the human rights tribunal to toss the case against it out. But tribunal member Lindsay Lyster ruled recently it is important that the case be heard, saying the case presents "important and difficult issues" for the tribunal to resolve including both the rights of blind people to equal services and the rights of employees to have their religious beliefs accommodated.

The taxi company says another driver was sent out to get Gilmour right after the first driver refused to let the guide dog in the car.

Gilmour and the taxi driver disagree on what was said about the dog at the time.

Saidy has told the Human Rights Tribunal he told Gilmour at the time that he was refusing because of religious beliefs.

But Gilmour's lawyer Nazeer Mitha said all the driver said to Gilmour was, "No dogs, no dogs," before driving away. The first Gilmour heard about religious objections was after he filed a formal complaint, said Mitha.

Since then, the taxi driver has filed a statement from a Muslim cleric stating that Islam has some restrictions towards certain animals, including dogs.

But Mitha says Gilmour has also filed a statement from a different Muslim cleric, stating that there can be exceptions to blanket refusals to deal with dogs, especially if it means helping someone in need. Mitha said all that would be required in most circumstances would be for a Muslim person to wash their hands before eating if they have been in contact with a dog.

"That's not a terrible task to go through," he said.

Lyster said the case is made more complicated by the fact that "different Islamic people may hold different beliefs about appropriate conduct in relation to dogs."

Mitha says it's not the first time Gilmour's been refused service by taxi drivers because of his guide dog. "It happens to him very frequently," both on the North Shore and elsewhere, he said.

Mitha said the real reason this happens probably doesn't have anything to do with religion. "People don't want dogs in their cabs," he said. Under legislation, however, cab drivers must be willing to take certified assistance dogs.

North Shore taxi and company lawyer William McLachlan refused to comment further on the case.

The Human Rights Tribunal hearing is scheduled for next summer.

[Stoat]

Giving credit where it's due....

I found the link to this story via Little Green Footballs

lgf Vancouver Shari'a Watch

and I found the LGF story because it is linked at Orbusmax

Orbusmax ™ Northwest News - 'Around The World In 80K'

[rbg81]

If this guy can't abide with cabbie rules, let him do something else.

[Dov in Houston]

The man makes his living with his cab. Simple solution, make sure it always remains empty.

These muslims are getting out of hand. First alcohol, now dogs. Scruem

[xcamel]

Take a pig for a cab ride?
C'mon - it could be lots of fun!!!

[EagleUSA]

These Islamics will stop at nothing to force their perverted "religion" (cult) behaviors on OUR SOCIETY. Wake up America before it is too late....(wanna look like France or Britain??)

[metmom]

But the taxi driver, Behzad Saidy, is arguing his Muslim religious beliefs will not allow him to take dogs in his taxi, because Muslims can't associate with dogs.

Well, I thought they weren't supposed to associate with infidels but that apparently hasn't stopped him from living here or taking other infidels money.

[Stoat]

If this guy can't abide with cabbie rules, let him do something else.

From the article:

The taxi company says another driver was sent out to get Gilmour right after the first driver refused to let the guide dog in the car.

Apparently, the cab co rules are that they allow such discrimination and will force a disabled patron to wait while another cab is dispatched.

[RighteousMomma]

The more you read, the more you learn... This religion that can't abide dogs... Let's you know that the followers are really sick...

Maybe cats?

[muawiyah]

This has nothing whatsoever to do with the dog. Rather, it's about the fact the passenger is handicapped.

In Islam, in general, the handicapped, mentally retarded, and those with birth defects are treated as though they are personally at fault for their problems.

The Islamic belief is that the injured person has sinned, or his mother or father sinned, and he is guilty.

It's the sort of attitude that is not compatible with life in the West, and anyone who wants to hold to it should go back home.

[Dov in Houston]

He would never get away with that in a Houston cab. It's common knowledge what "family" owns Yellow cab here.

[technomage]

because Muslims can't associate with dogs.

And pigs

And uncovered women

And alchohol

And anyone of any religion other than Islam

And other Muslims of different sects

And..........................

[Stoat]

The man makes his living with his cab. Simple solution, make sure it always remains empty.

These muslims are getting out of hand. First alcohol, now dogs. Scruem

You'll get no arguments from me.  I would further recommend that all independent cab drivers advertise that their cab's seats are covered in 100% pigskin.

[metmom]

ping

[Dov in Houston]

That is a great idea. Gets more customers and keeps muslims out of cabs. ROFLMAO

[metmom]

This should really throw the liberals into a tailspin. Do they defend the handicapped of the terrorists? And what about the animal rights people? Think of the poor dogs feelings....

[metmom]

Do they defend the handicapped of OR the terrorists?

[Stoat]

To All:

Anyone who wishes to speak directly to North Shore Taxi can easily do so:

North Shore Taxi

North Vancouver Call 604 987-7171
West Vancouver Call 604 922-2222
OR
604 986-1111

• Deliveries
• Taxi Service
• Airport Transportation Service
• Express Courier Service
• Jumpstarts
• Tours/Sightseeing

We have everything from Sedans to Wheel Chair Accessible Vans.
We also offer corporate and personal accounts with no interest charged.

---

264 Pemberton Avenue, North Vancouver B.C. V7P 2R5
Ph: (604) 980-7171 Fax: (604) 987-6735

[Graybeard58]

The more you read, the more you learn... This religion that can't abide dogs... Let's you know that the followers are really sick...

Maybe cats?

Goats.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

But the taxi driver, Behzad Saidy, is arguing his Muslim religious beliefs will not allow him to take dogs in his taxi, because Muslims can't associate with dogs.

Sounds reasonable, mohammed just can't afford any competiton from another son of a b*tch.

[MrBambaLaMamba]

If you have no alternative but to get a ride from these barbarians, pay them with bacon grease coated bills and leave sliced ham on the seats.