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]

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.

A delightful suggestion.  Such accessories could be easily carried in a Ziploc bag in your coat, ready at a moment's notice.

[Stoat]

That's a company NOT to call for a ride!

They won't be getting a dime from me or anyone whom I speak with about this.

[Stoat]

I knew they had a problem with pigs and women who had been victimized by rape, but dogs?? I just bought my mutts an I Bite Liberals t-shirt.

I'm delighted to learn that your pets are not only sane but fashion-conscious as well   :-)

 Wonder if there is a Pet Me if You're Muslim t-shirt.

I smell a lucrative business venture and a market niche that has not yet been appropriately exploited.

[Stoat]

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

Let's ask the dog, since it was all about him. I trust the dog more than the cab driver.

Agreed.  Any service dog, or rather any animal at all, is more worthy and trustworthy than this cabbie.

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

Let's ask the dog, since it was all about him. I trust the dog more than the cab driver.

[technomage]

They won't be getting any Congeniality Awards from me anytime soon.

Your post reminded me of the movie Miss Congeniality.

Can you imagine an Islamic Beauty Pageant?

"Third runner up: That woman behind the veils"

"Second runner up: The other woman behind the veils"

And the grand prize winner: The really good looking woman behind the veils"

[Stoat]

""" 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. """

 

---

All depends ...

Any "religion" that conducts itself in the manner that Islam does is not one that I am going to trust with the basics of personal hygiene issues.

""" 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. """

 

---

All depends ...

[Stoat]

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.
 

Sounds like a step in the right direction, but I'll bet that they will find a way to get a 'religious exemption' from any such forthcoming laws.

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.
 

[Stoat]

Didn't we just see this movie in Minneapolis? Only with packaged liquor.

Yes, and also in the UK not long ago with another blind person and service dog, as I recall.

You generally have to be licensed by a public agency to operate a cab, and there are all kinds of anti-discrimination laws that have been enacted so you cannot discriminate against the handicapped.
 

Apparently, most laws don't apply to Muslims, it seems.

If you don't want to pick up riders with a bottle of liquor or a blind person with a guide dog, then don't drive a cab.

The only problem that I see with your perspective is that you are utilizing clear, coherent, logical and rational thinking.  I have come to understand that such a framework is null and void in the context of Muslims.

[Stoat]

Dogs are dirty? Well so are camels, chickens, I'm getting confused.

It's a "make it up as you go and as the need arises" religion.

[Stoat]

>"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. "

How would we know? We don't believe in their stoopid stone age murder cult.

That makes me so happy.

Maybe muuuhamhead (Pigs be inseminating her) had a hand washing phobia.
 

Considering all of the other psychotic tendencies that have come to be associated with Islam, I wouldn't be surprised.

>"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. "

How would we know? We don't believe in their stoopid stone age murder cult.

That makes me so happy.

Maybe muuuhamhead (Pigs be inseminating her) had a hand washing phobia.
 

Considering all of the other psychotic tendencies that have come to be associated with Islam, I wouldn't be surprised.

[USMCWife6869]

I don't ge it. This line here, from the article:

"Under legislation, however, cab drivers must be willing to take certified assistance dogs."


would lead me to believe this would be an open and shut case. Too much to hope for, I guess.

[Stoat]

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

Wouldn't it be a shame if their drivers got called out on some snipe hunts? I'm just sayin'...

'snicker'

"Official Stoat 'Weasel-Award' Given For This Excellent Suggestion"

 

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

Wouldn't it be a shame if their drivers got called out on some snipe hunts? I'm just sayin'...

[Stoat]

What wrong with this cab company hiring people like that
I am sorry I am tick off

If they don't like go into another business

Their arrogance and belligerence won't allow them to see the matter as clearly and coherently as you do.

Islam destroys the mind.

[eleni121]

I have noticed over the years especially in the last 10 years or so, some Muslim students who refuse to write the letter t. They will write for example:

"She wroTe her name The righT way"

The use the capital T instead of the small t

I asked about it once and they told me in their countries it is not permited. I asked why (I already knew) and they finally admitted that the t was a reminder of the Christian cross - which they hate to see and do not believe in.



I still correct their papers boldly in red.

[Stoat]

Saudi Arabian religious police recently banned the sale of dogs and cats:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,212980,00.html

"One bad habit spreading among our youths is the acquisition of dogs and showing them off in the streets and malls," wrote Aleetha al-Jihani in a letter to Al-Madina newspaper. "There's no doubt that such a matter makes one shudder."

"Then what's the point of dragging a dog behind you?" he added. "This is blind emulation of the infidels."

Fascinating and highly relevant; thanks very much for the link

This is the same "religious police"  that forced quite a few young girls to be burned alive inside their school because allowing them to escape the fire attired as they were would have 'shamed them'.

These 'people' are absolutely insane and must never be allowed to gain a significant foothold of any sort in the United States.

[VOA]

they finally admitted that the t was a reminder of the Christian cross -
which they hate to see and do not believe in.

No wonder why these folks are the natural allies of the ACLU.

Their delusional thought processes even see crucifixes where there
are none.
And craft it into some transparently ridiculous pretext for
being "offended".

[Stoat]

They won't be getting any Congeniality Awards from me anytime soon.

Your post reminded me of the movie Miss Congeniality.

Can you imagine an Islamic Beauty Pageant?

"Third runner up: That woman behind the veils"

"Second runner up: The other woman behind the veils"

And the grand prize winner: The really good looking woman behind the veils"

hehehe!  and your post reminds me of that photo that's been going around of the Muslim 'man' lining up six or seven women to have their photo taken....they are all in full burqas and you can't see any difference between them.  The photo just begs the question "what's the point of taking their picture?"

 

:-)

They won't be getting any Congeniality Awards from me anytime soon.

Your post reminded me of the movie Miss Congeniality.

Can you imagine an Islamic Beauty Pageant?

"Third runner up: That woman behind the veils"

"Second runner up: The other woman behind the veils"

And the grand prize winner: The really good looking woman behind the veils"

[Sender]

...Muslims can't associate with dogs.

A tip of the hat to dogs everywhere! They are excellent judges of character.

[Stoat]

I don't ge it. This line here, from the article:

"Under legislation, however, cab drivers must be willing to take certified assistance dogs."


would lead me to believe this would be an open and shut case. Too much to hope for, I guess.

Where Muslims are concerned, any step in the direction of sanity is too much to hope for, unfortunately.

[Alouette]

And what about neckties? They are banned in Iran

Not true. In Iran they hold necktie parties all the time.