| FrontPageMag.com | By Robert Spencer | By Hugh Fitzgerald | Books | Jihad Watch | Islam 101 | Qur'an Blog | Raymond Ibrahim | Robert Spencer |  |
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
An update on this story. "Airport battles some Muslim cabbies," from AP:
MINNEAPOLIS - Officials at Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport are proposing stiffer penalties — including suspension of an airport taxi license — to Muslim cab drivers who refuse service to passengers toting alcohol or service dogs.
Officials on Wednesday asked the Metropolitan Airport Commission for permission to hold public hearings on a proposal that would suspend the airport licenses of cab drivers who refuse service for reasons other than safety concerns. The penalties would also apply to drivers who refuse a fare because a trip is too short.
Drivers would have their airport licenses suspended 30 days for the first offense and revoked for two years after the second offense, according to the proposal.
"Our expectation is that if you're going to be driving a taxi at the airport, you need to provide service to anybody who wants it," commission spokesman Patrick Hogan said.
The commission is expected to vote Jan. 16 on the request for public hearings.
Airports Commissioner Bert McKasy said the issue raised by Muslim cab drivers who say that carrying alcohol or dogs, including those that help people with disabilities, violates religious beliefs is "unfortunate."
"I think it's pretty much the consensus of the commissioners and the staff that we have to provide good service to the public, and that's pretty much the bottom line," McKasy said.
Each month, about 100 people are denied cab service at the airport. Airport officials say that in recent months, the problem of service refusals for religious reasons has grown. About three-quarters of the 900 taxi drivers at the airport are Somali, many of them Muslim.
Hogan said the goal is to have a new policy in place by May 11, when airport taxi licenses come up for annual renewal.
"We want the drivers to know about the policy in advance, so that if they don't think they can work under these conditions, they have the option of not renewing their license," Hogan said.
Last year, the airports commission received a fatwa, or religious edict, from the Minnesota chapter of the Muslim American Society. The fatwa said "Islamic jurisprudence" prohibits taxi drivers from carrying passengers with alcohol, "because it involves cooperating in sin according to Islam."
Eva Buzek, a flight attendant and Minneapolis resident, said she was recently refused service by five taxi drivers when she was carrying wine as she returned from a trip to France.
"In my book, when you choose to come to a different country, you make some choices," said Buzek, a native of Poland. "I never expected everything to be the same way as in my homeland, and I adjusted. I never dreamed of imposing my beliefs on somebody else."
But Hassan Mohamud, imam at Al-Taqwa Mosque of St. Paul and director of the Islamic Law Institute at the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, one of the largest Islamic organizations in the state, said asking Muslims to transport alcohol "is a violation of their faith. Muslims do not consume, carry, sell or buy alcohol, and Islam also considers the saliva of dogs to be unclean, he said.
Mohamud said he would ask airport officials to reconsider.
But many Somali taxi drivers don't have a problem transporting passengers with alcohol and are worried about a backlash, said Omar Jamal, executive director of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center. Jamal said he supports the tougher penalties.
"We tell the taxi drivers, if you don't want to do this, change your job," he said. "You are living in a country where alcohol is not viewed the way it is in your country."
Posted by Marisol at January 4, 2007 10:15 PM
Print this entry
| Email this entry
| Digg this
| del.icio.us
"We tell the taxi drivers, if you don't want to do this, change your job," he said. "You are living in a country where alcohol is not viewed the way it is in your country.
-- from the article above
Not alcohol. Not free speech. Not the treatment of women. Not the treatment of Non-Muslims. Not free inquiry. Not the right to mock. Not the right of the individual to jettison a faith without enduring the possibility of severe punishment, or even death.
And anyone who has had a particularly chatty Somali driver can find out a lot, as he cheerfully describes, in expansive fashion, just how he and his friends have managed to fool the authorities, with their 15 or 20 children, by several wives, and every single one of them receiving the unwitting support of American taxpayers.
This can't go on.
![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 4, 2007 10:40 PM
A great Penalty would be " You're fired! "
It is Reverse Religious Persecution to deny somebody access to a Cab because of YOUR Religious Bias'
Muslim's are persectuing us. Plain and simple. They persecute us when they cause a scene at an airport and are denied to Fly, and have to Gaul to Blame us for Religious Intolerance and stepping on their Civil rights, and they are doing similar things by denying someone Carrying Alchohol access to a Taxi . they will surely blame us for persecuting their Religion in this instance too. If you don't want to serve ALL people Don't go into the Service Industry. You can't have it both ways.
Posted by: Concerned Canadian at January 4, 2007 10:40 PM
I hope this is one of the first big steps taken to show we are no longer going to put up with living under "their version of sharia law".
When in Rome,,,must start to apply asap to as many things as possible. Maybe it will make some of them go home.(in my dreams,,,,).
Posted by: Gramfan at January 4, 2007 10:46 PM
This is good news. The Airport Commission is showing courage and leadership.
Posted by: sparrow at January 4, 2007 10:48 PM
"But Hassan Mohamud, imam at Al-Taqwa Mosque of St. Paul and director of the Islamic Law Institute at the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, one of the largest Islamic organizations in the state, said asking Muslims to transport alcohol 'is a violation of their faith. Muslims do not consume, carry, sell or buy alcohol, and Islam also considers the saliva of dogs to be unclean,' he said."
-- from the article above
There is something else that at least Shi'a Muslims regard as just as unclean as the saliva of dogs.
Perhaps that momentarily escaped Hassan Mahmoud's memory.
I can remind him. It can be found by googling "Who Wants to Second Sistani for The Nobel Prize" and "Hugh Fitzgerald."
But don't bother. I'll put the list of "unclean things" up right here.
It is taken from the official website of Al-Sistani, the senior Shi'a cleric in Iraq, the one hailed by everyone from Tom Friedman to Noah Feldman to Fouad Ajami, as a truly remarkable, great man, the best kind of moderate, unworldly cleric who harbors no ambitions, unlike the vilayat-e-faqih ayatollahs in Iran, to rule.
True, but then one must remind onself that at the official website of Al-Sistani, www.sistani.org, one finds this list:
"84. The following ten things are essentially najis:
1. Urine
2. Faeces
3. Semen
4. Dead body
5. Blood
6. Dog
7. Pig
8. Kafir
9. Alcoholic liquors
10. The sweat of an animal who persistently eats najasat [i.e., unclean things].
And here's more detail, from the same helpful website and guide for Muslims,about #8 on The List of Unclean Things (and "unclean" must be felt with the shudder it evokes in Muslims, as something truly disgusting, truly to be avoided), the Kafir:
108. The entire body of a Kafir, including his hair and nails, and all liquid substances of his body, are najis.
109. If the parents, paternal grandmother and paternal grandfather of a minor child are all kafir, that child is najis, except when he is intelligent enough, and professes Islam. When, even one person from his parents or grandparents is a Muslim, the child is Pak (The details will be explained in rule 217).
110. A person about whom it is not known whether he is a Muslim or not, and if no signs exist to establish him as a Muslim, he will be considered Pak. But he will not have the privileges of a Muslim, like, he cannot marry a Muslim woman, nor can he be buried in a Muslim cemetery."
What is a "Kafir" you may still ask?
If you have to ask, you can't afford to have Islam heavily represented, or even lightly represented, in your country.
Come to think of it, if you don't have to ask, you can't afford to have Islam heavily represented, or even lightly represented, in your country.
The "Kafir," Dear Reader, is You.
Posted by: Hugh at January 4, 2007 10:49 PM
Since when do we give a flying flip about a fatwa issued by the Muslim American Society or any other Islamic group for that matter?
Sorry sweetie, no one cares what your Islamic jurisprudence prohibits.
BTW, the Muslim American Society is an oxymoron.
Posted by: Isabellathecrusader at January 4, 2007 10:50 PM
This is a postive step in the right direction. That being said, I'll wait and see if this has any teeth to it. I am sure the lawyers of the liberal ACLU type will be making their appearance shortly. This isn't done and is going straight to the court room, it is going to litigatied to death. I am sure congressman Ellison is going to push for more Muslim power and privledges. The battle countinues.
I hope the Airport Commission stands strong on this.
Posted by: abdulalshirk at January 4, 2007 10:53 PM
Hugh,
What is rule 217?
Oh, and can a non-muslim issue a fatwa because I have a couple I'd like to issue. sarcasm off on the second
at January 4, 2007 11:00 PM
Here's another Sharia-related practice we need to work on:
Ban the Veil (and all public mask wearing)
at January 4, 2007 11:01 PM
In an infidel country, they should be expected to abide by infidel rules, including the rule not to discriminate against the beliefs of others whilst supposedly working in public service. Can you imagine the uproar if a anyone decided not to serve a Muslim on the basis that Islam is offensive?
Tolerance is a two way street, it's to the detriment of everyone to be tolerant of rank intolerance. If those Muslims want to choose not to transport people with booze, they can choose to find themselves alternative employment where this is not an issue. Nobody is forcing them to be taxi drivers, and they should not be forcing their beliefs down the throats of others in their own countries.
I am very glad that they've been told off about their discrimination against non-Muslims. I wonder how long it will take before they start blowing up themselves and others up in their taxis?
Posted by: Truthseeker at January 4, 2007 11:03 PM
Sparrow,
Good article. I was at the mall when my brother was visiting the day after Christmas and saw the most ridiculous sight...a very small, and I think, native born American woman, pushing a stroller and wearing an ugly, doctor's scrubs green, two piece scarf and smock get up with a panel over her face tied with a black cord. She was walking into a popular drugstore and the thought I had was that she was declaring war on my country, my sacred holiday (Christmas) and all of us women who do not and will not wear that piece of crap veil. I was furious when I saw that and it made me more resolved than ever to get the word out and expose these liars for what they are. I've been a busy little bee (and this chick's worst nightmare) with my e-mails, phone calls and debating. All in all, it ain't been too bad a week!
Posted by: Isabellathecrusader at January 4, 2007 11:10 PM
Truthseeker,
They will not blow themselves up because the whining to our news media and running to CAIR with their examples of abuse and declarations of victimization have been sooooooooooo effective.
And let's be honest about tolerance. It is a B.S., made up, newspeak concept that has nothing to do with what we really need in this country, i.e., charity towards our neighbor. Tolerance is what has gotten us into this mess in the first place.
Posted by: Isabellathecrusader at January 4, 2007 11:16 PM
Sparrow,
Thanks for the interesting link. I think it could be a very good and seemingly inocuous start to fighting back. Here in South Carolina, sunglasses are forbidden in banks so surely a mask should be also. This ban was on security grounds only, without any religous intent. We just want the perps on video...
Posted by: schwaben at January 4, 2007 11:16 PM
"in South Carolina, sunglasses are forbidden in banks.."
-- from a posting above
Even Ray-Bans? How'm I gonna knock off the Savings and Loan in Greenville?
Posted by: Hugh at January 4, 2007 11:22 PM
I am convinced that these small vicotories over Sharia Law, like in Minneapolis where they will not renew the taxi licenses of those who won't take fares with package liquor or a guide dog, are very important. It is these kinds of issues that can, hopefully, start getting some of the civil liberties left on our side.
The "Ban the Veil" issue should bring some National Organization of Women (NOW) followers to the cause.
at January 4, 2007 11:30 PM
'The "Ban the Veil" issue should bring some National Organization of Women (NOW) followers to the cause.'
But not any help from Nancy Pelosi.
http://www.wisejargon.com/what-is-nancy-pelosi%E2%80%99s-real-agenda-on-dealing-with-terrorists/
at January 4, 2007 11:43 PM
Isabelle,
For example. let's say you see woman on a bus wearing the veil. Let's say we start singing "God Bless America" on the bus. I mean what can anyone do? Can we be arrested for singing the national anthem?
at January 4, 2007 11:46 PM
Sparrow,
No, not yet. But I don't know if that will work because as an American woman I have a business where I make my own money and drive a car I bought and I never take the bus. But I really would have liked to confront that woman in the drugstore, looking ever so coy and innocent, laughing her ass off behind that veil. I wouldn't have minded serenading her with God Bless America. Or Come, O Come Immanuel.
Posted by: Isabellathecrusader at January 4, 2007 11:53 PM
BTW, a little OT, but maybe very ON topic. Miss Nancy gets the Dumb, dumb dhimmi award.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/04/D8MEPKIG0.html
Posted by: Isabellathecrusader at January 4, 2007 11:55 PM
I hereby issue a fatwa that college students from the Upper Midwest play a new drinking game called ‘taxi hopping’. It involves a miniature pig, short-haul taxi rides, and drinking beer in the back seat of cabs.
Posted by: pez at January 4, 2007 11:58 PM
Okay kids, I've got to go to bed. Part of my new year's plan to fight jihad is to go to mass every morning and offer it up for the help of the U.S., Europe and Somalia, and for all the people who are damaged by this Islamic scourge. I figure more Catholicism = less Islam.
Goodnight all. :)
Posted by: Isabellathecrusader at January 5, 2007 12:02 AM
Isabelle, Or maybe we look at the woman with pity, that her husband and culture are forcing her to cover her face in public. Maybe we give her a book or handout about how she doesn't have to dress this way in America. Possibly guide her to a deprograming center--if there is such a thing--where other women who have de-veiled can help her out.
Or on the taxi case, what if a passenger with package liquor just got into a cab where the driver wouldn't take them (because of the liquor)? And would not leave the cab. Would the police arrest that passenger? For what? It's the driver who is breaking the law by discriminating against certain passengers. What would a judge say? This would be a new kind of civil disobediance.
Posted by: sparrow at January 5, 2007 12:12 AM
Of course, this is Minneapolis we're talking about here. One of the most liberal cities in the country. Please make a note of it.
Posted by: pneumatikon at January 5, 2007 12:13 AM
Sorry for being skeptical, but let's wait and see if the airport authority is so brave and strong after they get 20 phone calls, 10 lawsuits, and 5,000 emails from a coordinated CAIR campaign. Many better people/institutions that this hapless airport with their prayer room debates have folded the cards when CAIR showed up.
Posted by: megajehudi at January 5, 2007 12:23 AM
Pez, I LOVE your idea, even if my own actions closely resemble Isabellathecrusader’s.
Here’s another solution. Free market economy to the rescue. Demand for taxis decrease as private car company willing to transport wine and puppies picks up portion of taxi market. I remember trips to Pittsburg where Town car service was both less expensive than taxi, but provided FAR faster and more pleasant ride. could work in MN, too.
at January 5, 2007 12:37 AM
Let the public speak with their wallets.
Would somebody please start a limo service.
PUT-A-MUSLIM-OUT-OF-WORK Limo Service ... coming soon to an airport near you.
Posted by: LoneRanger at January 5, 2007 1:17 AM
Thats what we need more positive action like sitting in the taxi with your booze or your guide dog and refusing to leave if the driver will not drive. Then let the Police and Courts have to make the decision on who is at fault the perfectly legal courteous passenger or the ranting Muslim driver. Will the courts sanction illegal Muslim exclusion I wonder? Similarly non Muslim Taxi drivers should be encouraged to deny transportation to veil and Burkah wearing passengers with the perfectly legitimate excuse that such disguises have been used by murderers and other criminals. Of course they could be taken if they would REMOVE their veils. Its time we took the fight to them so they can see what it feels like.
Posted by: Realist at January 5, 2007 1:57 AM
How strange.........these matters are written into the licence of taxi operators in English cities. Obviously the way forward is for taxi drivers who object to alcohol, kissing dogs on the mouth, and transporting mentruating women to display a prominent sign in their taxi saying
Somali Driver: English Not Spoken: Alcohol, Dogs, Jews Not Transported.
and let the Market liberate them to spend more time praying to go home
at January 5, 2007 3:16 AM
"Muslims do not consume, carry, sell or buy alcohol, and Islam also considers the saliva of dogs to be unclean"
Can someone please explain to me why in the UK,
there are thousands of Muslims making a good living from carrying and selling alcohol? Yet in the US , Australia they use it as an excuse to push their evil Shariah Law.
There is even a convenience chain called Costcutters owned and run by Pakistanis , which sells very cheap and reasonable quality wines.In all fairness their customer service is acceptable.
As regards dogs the UK is a nation of pet lovers which is apparent from the number of TV programs on the subject.
I conclude that there is definiately a clash of civilisation in this country - wine and dogs are only a couple of trivial examples.
The following article is government sponsered BS.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,1982376,00.html
Posted by: raz at January 5, 2007 5:03 AM
Have any elected officials, at any level of government, condemned the Muslim American Society for issuing their obscene fatwa?
Have any elected officials, at any level of government, called for the deportation of alien Muslims who issue such obscene fatwas?
Have any elected officials, at any level of government, called for the detention of Muslims who are citizens who issue such obscene fatwas?
Unless and until we the people find leaders with the courage to shatter the shackles of political correctness and confront the evil of Islam resurgent head on we are in heap big trouble.
What city do you think good Muslims will nuke first
at January 5, 2007 5:56 AM
While the airport authorities may penalize the Muslims for bad service, they also make it nearly impossible for someone else to start a new taxi service.
The customers deserve to be offered a second choice.
Posted by: exsgtbrown at January 5, 2007 6:20 AM
OK so can someone explain why its so bad to be a taxi driver in Minneapolis that 75% of them are Somalis? Is it 10c a mile or something?
at January 5, 2007 6:42 AM
Could it be that the Somalis terrorize other taxi drivers? Maybe an unreported mini war?
Posted by: exsgtbrown at January 5, 2007 6:55 AM
Deport them. Deport all of them.
Posted by: US_infidel at January 5, 2007 7:40 AM
Mother E.
Yes, And if old wife number one and her children live in a separate house does daddy come to see them? Or are they left on their own for the most part while daddy is with the new favorite wife and favored children? It's such a good family values system that they are producing the highest rates of crime.
Posted by: Borg at January 5, 2007 8:57 AM
3/4's of the 900 Taxi drivers are Somali, contratempts the article, all of them are Muslim.
But this is just more evidence that were it not for the black and muslim vote, Keith Ellison would not be in Congress.
This is how they will conquer the west, through immigration and fecundity.
But don't put your hands on your hips waiting for our politicians to do something about the immigration problem (Republican or Democrat), your hands will grow there..reason: cheap labor (business) and votes (Republican and Democrat) and of course when it comes to muslim immigration..think oil profits, bribes, Saudi money, (House of Saud House of Bush by Craig Unger).
Posted by: Nariz at January 5, 2007 12:20 PM
Oh My God!
Pez is so spot-on!
I have 2 big Bluetick Coonhounds, a Dachshund, a wife, 2 kids and a bible. I think it is time to pay a trip to Minneapolis with the 'family'. Maybe go shopping for a wild hog or something. I would buy a pot belly pig for this trip...
Oh, and I drink like Dick Cheney. I think we could offend a whole family of Somali cabbies (all 20 of them). The wiener dog pees everywhere, the coonhounds drool and howl all the time, the wife and kids are nonstop chatters. I love to babble on about God and Jesus. And damned if I don't like those fried pig skins.
Oh, and I have a small bladder it seems, and after a 6 pack or so, I gotta go!
Posted by: Black Dog at January 5, 2007 1:36 PM
And one more thing...
Why are these cabbies here? Haven't they heard the call to jihad back in their own country?
They need to get back there and blow themselves and a goat up.
at January 5, 2007 2:14 PM
Reading the comments above by: dm60462, LoneRanger, Realist, Voyager, Mother E and other similar postings has served as something of a tonic and improved my morale. Let us hope that the Airport Authority at Minneapolis does not show itself to be a Mickey Mouse outfit when the squealing crunch comes .. as it surely and nastily will. Does the Airport Authority have sufficient funds to fight its corner or will the likes of us be able to contribute to its defensive coffers? A paypal account number or similar displayed on Dhimmi Watch might be useful in that case.
Posted by: meekee at January 5, 2007 2:58 PM
Muslims to transport alcohol 'is a violation of their faith. Muslims do not consume, carry, sell or buy alcohol, and Islam also considers the saliva of dogs to be unclean,' he said."
These Muslims need to come to Houston and talk to the Muslims here. I bought a six pack tonight from a Muslim owned liquor store. Last weekend I went to one of Houston largest Gentlmen's club and drank a couple of beers and got a couple of lap dances. Also
owned by Muslims.
at January 5, 2007 10:10 PM
Comments are turned off and archived for this entry.
(Note: The Comments section is provided in the interests of free speech only. It is mostly unmoderated, but comments that are off-topic, offensive, slanderous, or otherwise annoying stand a chance of being deleted. The fact that any comment remains on the site IN NO WAY constitutes an endorsement by Jihad Watch or Dhimmi Watch, or by Robert Spencer or any other Jihad Watch or Dhimmi Watch writer, of any view expressed, fact alleged, or link provided in that comment.)