We’ve written previously about the Somali taxi drivers in Minnesota who refused to carry passengers from the airport if they were accompanied by guide dogs. Although the authorities reacted with less than full dhimmitude — they penalized the offending drivers by sending them to the rear of the taxi queue — the response still fell short of a firm demand that the Somalis accommodate themselves to their adopted country.A similar situation has arisen in Brisbane, and the Australians are taking a firm stance against the taxi drivers. In this case it’s a “private sector” solution, however: the taxi companies themselves are cracking down on drivers who refuse passengers with guide dogs:
Muslim taxi drivers refuse blind fares with ‘unclean’ guide dogs- - - - - - - - -
Some Muslim taxi drivers are refusing to carry blind and disabled passengers with guide dogs — because their religion tells them the animals are “unclean”.
Brisbane’s Yellow Cab Company has been forced to sack drivers over their conduct towards passengers with assistance dogs.
Bill Parker, general manager of the firm, said the behaviour would not be tolerated and penalties will be imposed if drivers disobeyed.
The company has produced a booklet informing drivers of their duty towards blind and disabled customers with dogs.
Islamic Council of Queensland president Suliman Sabdia said dogs were considered a health risk for Muslims but “to use religion as a reason to refuse blind and disabled passengers is unjustified”.
They’re even sacking the buggers. Good on ya, mate!
Hat tip: DK.
7 comments:
"a health risk for Muslims?" What health risk? Are all Muslims allergic? Will they puff up and die if exposed to a dog?
I wouldn't let my dog share a taxi with a muslim also... XD
Sigfried: Are all Muslims allergic? Will they puff up and die if exposed to a dog?
Only if we're lucky. They're quite puffed up enough as it is. Any accurate description of the pricking they are in such dire need of would probably transgress the rules of decorum here at GoV.
I suggested a similar strategy in Minnesota to the one I'll note here.
Recruit a team of blind guide dog owners and compatriots to set up a choke point for the purpose of identifying discriminatory Muslim cabbies.
Go to a location with a large taxi queue that is populated with lots of Muslim hacks. Airports, train stations and tram stops are all good prospects.
Make sure to have sighted participants request that the blind individuals be allowed to go first whenever a Muslim cabbie heads the queue.
Have surreptitious video surveillance in place to document any rejection of guide dogs. License plates, driver profiles and medallion numbers should be captured.
Make sure to have a shuttle vehicle parked nearby (whose changing location is communicated by cell phone), so that Muslim cabbies that accept the guide dogs only get a minimal "flag-drop" fare out of the effort.
Rinse and repeat until all offending Muslim hacks are harvested, then proceed to the next location until these sodding Islamic wankers understand that noncompliance means their effing job.
Judging by the conditions I have observed in taxis driven by obviously Muslim drivers, including the accumulated filth on the upholstery and the body odor of the drivers, many of these taxis would be improved by the presence of dogs.
A good sprinkling of whiskey would help too.
I've always liked dogs. Knowing how dogs freak these stone age barbarians out makes me like them even more.
Nice doggie!
zenster,
it makes me feel all weird when americans use words like sodding and wankers. those are *our* words! don't you have any special american swear words of your own? next you'll be calling muslims twats, nobs and shites.
el ingles
I don't suppose it ever occurred to these sodding wankers that if they're so bloody offended by dogs, they might wish to take up an occupation that won't bring them into contact with dogs?
Or is that concept rather above the comprehension of some people?
Surely there must be a few people who employ pit bulls as guide dogs.
Not just seeing-eye dogs - there are "canine companions" for people with various phobias, like fear of the outdoors (lots of comfort in large teeth and jaws on your side), fear of shopping, fear of turbaned taxi-drivers, ...
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