Muslim cabbies refuse to bend in alcohol dispute

Daily Times | AP ^ | 3/1/07

[John Jorsett]

Hassan Mohamud, a Muslim imam and adjunct law professor at William Mitchell College of Law, said the Muslim cab drivers are only trying to support their families, both here and in their strife-torn home country, and are being placed in an impossible situation.

There's nothing impossible about it. Nobody is forcing them to drive cabs; they can find jobs where their religious sensibilities aren't a factor. As long as they're signing on to be a public conveyence, they have to abide by the same rules as everyone else.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I still never figured out which was worse. People who think they should get anything they want just because they showed up and demanded it, or the people who give in to their demands.

[VeniVidiVici]

So refuse to license them. Cab drivers can't pick and choose who they want to carry.

They could always be a gypsy cab, ride outside the law and take their chances.

[Man50D]

Passengers should carry pigs instead of alcohol.

[loreldan]

See post 15, but like someone else said maybe cabs are regulated differently. On the surface, though, I think cab drivers should be able to drive whoever they want. If I was a driver and I saw someone who looked Muslim and was wearing a bulky jacket in the middle of summer I want the right to refuse service.

[LibWhacker]

It's just their way of INTRODUCING us to sharia law. If they succeed at this, there will be other demands until one day we all wake up to discover that we are all dhimmis. It's no secret. Well, I say no thank you to that! They must be made to submit to American secular law, or get out.

[trumandogz]

recall a lot of support here for pharmacists that refused to dispense the morning-after pill on religious grounds. Oh but wait, that was different.

I seem to recall the same thing.

Yes, there are hypocrites here at FR.

[loreldan]

See post 14

[LibWhacker]

I searched. Don't blame me.

[AmericaUnited]

How about these guys not drive in a city that serves demon alcohol? Now that would be taking a stand... I think I'll suggest that ... :)

[null and void]

Like I said then it's their business and they can serve who they want. If I own a cab and refuse to drive a drunk (or a Muslim) it's my right. So it applies to these cab drivers as well.

Agreed. And having an airport cab license is a privilege If you want the privilege of being able to pick up fares at the airport, you have to follow the rules that go with that privilege.

[freeangel]

"PIGSKIN WALLET"

I like it!

[loreldan]

They must be made to submit to American secular law, or get out.

Would you say the same thing about Christian pharmacists who refuse the morning-after pill? We do (or should) be free to serve who or what we want. You start taking away religous freedom (even Islam) and the libs will take it all the way.

[ChristianDefender]

“I am Muslim. I’m not going to carry alcohol,” Abdi Mohamed

Then you're not suppose to drive a taxi then...

Maybe the government should provide Camels for these dudes... give them routes in the desert lands of California.

[flynmudd]

Maybe they should find other employment that allows them to follow their religious fervor.

[Seadog Bytes]

FYI

[AmishDude]

It's not the same as a restaurant.

First, if a cab doesn't advertise itself as one that discriminates, you won't know until you've wasted time to flag it down.

Second, they get a license from the city/airport to do special business. It's not even the same as a taxi on city streets.

[loreldan]

I'm not familiar with the rules on this. Is having a airport cab license different than a regular cab license?

[freeangel]

"it appplies to these cab drivewrs as well"

Then you wouldn't have a problem with the clients refusing to have a muslim driving their cab. It sounds like a goldmine for drivers who would advertise that they are NOT muslim.

[sgtbono2002]

Pull their hack license.

They can go back to Mecca and drive a cab there.