Posted on 04/17/2007 5:46:16 AM PDT by Victor
By GREGG AAMOT, Associated Press Writer Mon Apr 16, 6:51 PM ET
MINNEAPOLIS - Taxi drivers who refuse service to travelers carrying alcohol at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport face tougher penalties despite protests from Muslim cabbies who sought a compromise for religious reasons, officials said Monday.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission said new penalties were needed to ensure customers get safe and reliable taxi service, and voted to suspend a driver's airport taxi license for 30 days for the first offense and revoke it for two years for a second offense. The new penalties take effect May 11.
Airport officials say more than 70 percent of the cabbies at the airport are Muslim, and many of them say Islamic law forbids them from giving rides to people carrying alcohol.
Under the old rules, a driver who refused to transport someone carrying alcohol would be told to go to the back of the taxicab line. Airport officials said that since January 2002, there have been more than 4,800 instances of drivers' refusing to take alcohol-carrying travelers.
Commissioners said the old rules didn't prevent customers from being stranded at the curb or — as reported in a few cases — dropped off before their destination after drivers learned of their alcohol on board.
Some Somalis who testified Monday urged commissioners to reject the new penalties and find some other solution.
"We see this as a penalty against a group of Americans only for practicing their faith," said Hassan Mohamud, an imam and an adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law.
The airport had proposed one pilot program that had drivers who wouldn't transport alcohol display a different top light on their cab, but the public's reaction was overwhelmingly negative and taxi drivers feared it would make travelers avoid taxis altogether.
Then why did they take a job as a taxi driver then?
Mecca-apolis?
for later
Next come the disruptive or violent protests and CAIR lawsuits.
I dont want to get in a cab with a Muslim driver. There should be some way to warn people that the driver is a possible Jihadist.
Only if the "faith" in question includes taking a job that one refuses to fulfill - despite the fact that carrying passengers with alcohol, pork, or dogs are absolutely allowed - as long as the driver doesn't participate in using (or petting - for the dogs :) the "banned" substances.
Hassan "A$$hat" Mohamud needs to stick it where the sun don't shine...
MSP (Minneapolis Airport) is the only airport I know of where this was happening.
Glad to see it nipped in the bud.
Then why did they take a job as a taxi driver then?
***
That’s my thought too. I have a dear friend who is a cabbie. He is required to pick up anyone, unless that person appears dangerous or threatening. Refuse service for any other reason and you are out of a job. Should be the same policy with these fellas. If you don’t feel comfortable following the rules, then find another line of work.
Well, I know I am in the minority here but I have some problems with people being told to violate their faith. I have to admit I have no respect for Islam as a religion, and actually consider it more of a cultural slavery than a faith.
But this week in Washington, pharmacists were basically told they had to prescribe abortifacents whether or not they believed in it, if there was no one else in the shop to give it.
I guess this would run afoul of some civil rights law, but perhaps they shouldn’t have such a high muslim percentage of cab drivers in the first place. And should they stop hiring Christians as pharmacists? I admit I have no answer that I think is right.
I say we just all decide to be racist against muslims. That seems to be what they want.
Since they want to be singled out, have them identify themselves. Since they don’t fit into American culture by their own choice, we do not do business with them.
Is this racists?
These people willingly took a job that requires them to transport ANYONE unless they appear dangerous or threatening. If they don't want their "faith violated" then they are free to seek employment elsewhere and stop pretending that their "faith" is being violated.
yes--it's the same with pharmacists who have to provide the morning after pill...
I fly into MSP on a regular basis. Next time I fly, I'm going to make it a point to carry a nice big bottle of Scotch, take it out of my checked bag, and hand carry it to the taxi stand.
I could use a good fight.
“I have to admit I have no respect for Islam as a religion, and actually consider it more of a cultural slavery than a faith.”
***
That’s just it — what these folks are doing is using their religion as an excuse to get out of doing certain things or to do certain things differently from what company policy dictates. When you are about to take a job, you should have some idea about what the job requires. If those requirements are contrary to your faith or whatever, and you don’t feel you can work within those requirements, then find something else. Why should you or your group or class be given special treatment to the detriment of everyone else?
That is real noble of of you to care about telling someone to violate their faith. In the cultural clashing melting pot that was once America, folks adopted the culture and adapted their own religion and traditions accordingly. Their lifestyles balanced both. We all choose our careers. We are free. Free to be idiots too.
Today, it seems fashionable to object to the everyday social culture of the United States. Anything someone can do to point out how their rights are quashed by evil American culture is in fad.
I say they can go be IT support workers in China if they don’t like mixing with Americans as part of their religious beliefs.
It is heartening to see that the authorities didn't wimp out on this one. I wonder how many drivers will give up their cabs rather than disobey Allah?
And what kind of penalties does islam perscribe for others practicing their faiths?
I’d rather see a permanent ban on these flea bitten maggots.
I don’t know, but if I travel to MSP after May 11 I’m willing to test the new law. With a handheld bottle of Scotch.
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