Here’s the story, from last summer, but with enduring implications:
A Muslim woman in Sweden who said she was discriminated against in a job interview for refusing to shake hands on religious grounds has been awarded financial compensation by a labor court.
The woman, Farah Alhajeh, 24, was interviewing for a job as an interpreter at Semantix, a language services company, in the city of Uppsala, north of Stockholm, in May 2016, when the person conducting the interview offered to introduce her to a male boss. Ms. Alhajeh said she placed her hand on her heart as a greeting, smiled, and explained that she avoided physical contact because she was Muslim.
Not because she “was Muslim” but because she was a certain kind of Muslim, for many others do not share her view.
She was shown to the elevator.
“It was like a punch in the face,” Ms. Alhajeh, who was born in Sweden, said by telephone from her home in Uppsala on Thursday, a day after the ruling. “It was the first time someone reacted, and it was a really harsh reaction.”
A Swedish labor court agreed, ruling on Wednesday that the company had discriminated against Ms. Alhajeh, and ordering it to pay 40,000 kronor, or about $4,350, in compensation.
The case, brought by Sweden’s equality ombudsman, raised numerous thorny issues in a country already wrestling with questions of immigration and integration. Among them: whether a female Muslim employee could refuse to shake hands as a greeting in the workplace, said Martin Mork, who leads litigation at the ombudsman’s office.
Ms. Alhajeh, the labor court said in a statement, “adheres to an interpretation of Islam that prohibits handshaking with the opposite sex unless it is a close member of the family.” The court concluded that “the woman’s refusal to shake hands with people of the opposite sex is a religious manifestation that is protected under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.”
But the company with which Ms. Alhajeh had interviewed argued that its staff members were required to treat men and women equally, and that it could not allow a staff member to refuse handshakes based on gender.
The labor court ruled 3 to 2 on Wednesday that while the company was right to require that employees treat men and women equally, including in how they greet others, it could not require that the greeting in question involve shaking hands. What matters, they said, was consistency in how men and women were greeted.
But Ms. Alhajeh herself has admitted that there is no “consistency” in how men and women were greeted by her. She has said that in mixed company she will put her hand over her heart, but that she will shake hands with women when only women are present, while she refuses to shake hands with a man, any man, no matter what. This does not constitute “consistency.” or rather, she is consistent in her unequal treatment of men and women.
“The court struck a balance between the interest of gender equality and religious freedom in the workplace,” Mr. Mork said.
But Lars Backstrom, who represented the company in the case, said the labor court’s ruling had gone against Swedish laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace because of gender.
“The Muslim woman did not take the boss’s hand because he is a man,” Mr. Backstrom wrote in an email. “When it comes to employees who meet clients and other external people, it’s up to the employers to decide whether employees can manifest their religious or political affiliations.”
Ms. Alhajeh said that she was pleased with the decision. She said that she greeted men and women the same way in mixed company, by bringing her hand to her chest. But if she is meeting only with women, she might shake hands, she said.
“Might shake hands”? Ms. Alhajeh knows perfectly well that of course she would shake the hand of any woman when in the company only of women.
“We live in a society where you have to treat women and men the same,” she said. “I know that because I am Swedish.”
But Ms. Alhajeh, that’s exactly what you don’t do. You don’t treat women and men the same. The court tied itself in knots in order to conclude that your differing treatment of men and women should trump gender equality, despite the high value Sweden places on such equality. The court decided that in Sweden Islamic customs, as observed by you, were more important than Swedish values and customs. Three judges on the labor court were also apparently unaware that a great many Muslim women, unlike Farah Alhajeh, are perfectly willing to shake hands with men.
“I have to practice my religion in a Swedish way that’s acceptable,” she added.
But she doesn’t do that. She practices her faith exactly as she wishes, with no concessions made to Swedish customs.
Jay Dillon says
Hey Sweden, do you ever deport people? Because this would be one to deport.
FYI says
May I suggest ..Somalia?
She can practice her false piety there,in one of allah’s wonderful islamic paradises.
I heard the streets of Mogadishu are paved with Gold…surely the Somalis would welcome a massive influx of their fellow muslims as an exercise in “Cultural Enrichment”?
As for treating women the same as men;NOT in the koran{k2:282} a woman’s testimony is only HALF that of a man,and allah is OK with women being beaten.They also have to wear hijabs because apparently muhammed’s advisor,Umar,liked to watch the ladies undress{“I recognize you sauda”}.so muhamed’s sock puppet {“allah”} came up with the idea women needed to cover-up..to protect them from the lusty glances of the devout muslim lads.Muhammed also famously hated women and thought they were stupid and that hell was full of women{let me guess?They didn’t want to wear the hijab the MEN insisted on?}but then muhammed we know,was an illiterate who liked to wear Aisha’s dress and ordered his followers to drink camel pee as a health tonic{there are hadiths that confirm this}.
SOMALIA;where islamic dreams come true
allah wants you there!
Ashley says
But Ms. Alhajeh herself has admitted that there is no “consistency” in how men and women were greeted by her. She has said that in mixed company she will put her hand over her heart, but that she will shake hands with women when only women are present, while she refuses to shake hands with a man, any man, no matter what.
________________________
I think Ms. Alhajeh would have proven to be a massive headache had she been hired.
gravenimage says
Yes indeed.
LB says
I wonder what would happen if the boss said he identifies as female. I think the judge and jury would short-circuit from contradictions of their leftist dogma lol
Or Else! says
Islam’s rules are designed to be as different as possible…AND superior to those of the kuffar. And if those rules aren’t respected and allowed by the kuffar, there are lawsuits and/or demonstrations/violence.
That’s some “peaceful” coexistence, isn’t it?
Bxite says
Yet look how carefully she does her eyebrows and makeup. That is often true w hijabis. Such incongruity and hypocracy. And yes, she would be a tremendous pain in the ass as an employee. Ugh. The Swedes.
Bxite says
Hypocrisy
mccode says
Folks, the news seems to be that Sweden, and most of the rest of Europe is lost, slowly dying from self-inflicted mortal wounds. What lunacy. What a tragedy. What a loss for humanity.
If you haven’t yet read Douglas Murray’s “The Strange Death of Europe”, please do.
somehistory says
At one time, it was accepted practice that a male would wait for the female to extend her hand before extending his. It was correct etiquette for the male to wait for the female because she just might not want to shake a man’s hand. If she extended hers, then he could extend his and shake.
If that still held true, she would not be getting the money because the man would have waited for her to extend her hand.
Watto35 says
In 25 years all these stories of greetings will all be academic anyway. They will be the dominant race in Europe and we will live in ghettos reliant on Islamic goodwill. The average birth rate among Christians is 1.34 while among muslims it is about 8.1.
Hugh Fitzgerald says
Don’t despair. Not quite yet. The West has enormous powers of recuperation.
[I would be grateful if you could email to Robert Spencer the source for those birth rates.]
Demography is destiny. European governments should decrease or end altogether those generous benefits that they now lavish on millions of Muslim immigrants, and that help those Muslim invaders support their monstrously large families. Do not increase family allowances beyond those for the second child. Make work mandatory for those who receive free or subsidized housing, medical care, education, or family allowances. And if the recipients of those benefits don’t happen to like the work to which they have been assigned, too bad. If they won’t work, then other benefits, especially free health care (including, most importantly, the free obstetrical care) should be stopped.
And Europe needs to make a Note To Self and to look at it often: Procreate, for god’s sake. Procreate.
Terry Gain says
Watto35 should cite his sources. His figures seem slightly exaggerated.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/29/muslim-population-uk-could-triple-13m-following-record-influx/
Terry Gain says
European birth rates. It’s the Guardian, but still.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/29/muslim-population-in-europe-could-more-than-double
gravenimage says
Agreed, Terry. Wikipedia cites Muslim birthrates worldwide as 2.9%, and the Guardian cites the Eu average as 1.55%.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_population_growth
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/23/baby-crisis-europe-brink-depopulation-disaster
This is rightly concerning, but not not the same as the figures Watto mentions.
gravenimage says
Yes, Hugh–people should *not* roll over for Islam yet. We can still preserve our civilized culture if we have the will.
Terry Gain says
I believe in equal rights. The Muslima was perfectly entitled to refuse to shake hands and the prospective employer was perfectly entitled to end the job interview.
This was a case of the Muslima demonstrating her superiority. She can refuse to accept Swedish norms but native Swedes are required to abandon their norms so as not to “victimize” her.
The Swedes are world leaders in the art of submission.
Matthew D Schroeder says
Doesn’t the hadith give a more cost effective solution to this conundrum? Couldn’t Ms. Alhajeh simply have pulled out her breast, suckled him ten times, and then shook his hand?
No Muzzies Here says
Little by little Sharia is overtaking Swedish law, and the Swedes are acting just like the spineless, self-deprecating wusses they are: they are not resisting it one bit.
Stacy Girl says
It’s more like leaps and bounds. If I had a business I’d gladly pay $4000 to keep muslim employees out. Huge savings in the long run.
Ashley says
Yeah, Stacy Girl. I agree. But Ms. Alhajeh knows how to play the system. Interview for a job, refuse to extend or accept a handshake citing “religious” beliefs, then sue and line her pocket with an easy 4K discrimination settlement.
Rinse and repeat. Perfect scam.
Semantix was too hasty to show Ms. Alhajeh to the exit door, IMO. Scammer should have been afforded a proper interview and the whole handshake fiasco quietly noted.
Ms. Alhajeh was clearly not a viable candidate to housesit a goldfish.
Max Danis says
NONE OF THEM ARE-That was her point.
Max Brausz says
THAT IS HER POINT-They’re all problem employees
Manuel 2 Paleologus says
The western countries mistakenly open Pandora Box to muslim immigration and now it’s too late to do something to defend their now people. They see now muslims native in tier hosting countries who refuse to respect their ‘native; country. The people who are born their and trace their origin for centuries see themselves non welcome and without an opinion. They are in fact strangers in their own homeland. I do not see anything good for Europe.
gravenimage says
It is *not* too late–not if patriotic Europeans stand up for their values.
Ole Pederson says
The Muslim method is a method of small, permanent provocations and transgressions. Each of them to small to make a fuss about. But once you allow one of them you lose ground! If you wait too long to act, your response appears out of proportion (in most cases, you are no longer patient but you became angry) and the Muslims can scream “we are victims” again!
gravenimage says
Hugh Fitzgerald: In Uppsala, No Handshake (Part One)
………………..
That she is being “compensated” for being a Muslim supremacist is grotesque.
kuriakose says
I am reminded of the Scandinavian legend of King Hrolf Kraki. Sweden was then ruled by the vile King Athils of Sweden, who had at one time ruled over Denmark and even apointed a dog as king of Denmark. Hrolf and 12 champions (including the legendary Bothvar Bjarki) ride to take revenge on Athils, who had also won Hrolf’s mother by witchcraft. They are all killed in the end by witchcraft, but the way is paved for the liberation when Bothvar’s brothers destroy Athil’s kingdom .
Looks like Sweden needs such kinds of intervention.
http://www.timelessmyths.com/norse/hrolf.html
Giacomo Latta says
Thanks to muslim (religious?) supporters we can expect the following in the future.
Muslim is refused job in fast-food joint because owner sells bacon. Muslim complains to human rights court and wins job. Customer wants bacon but muslim refuses to touch it. Now other workers have to work while muslim relaxes because he does not have to handle bacon product even indirectly. Or is it that he has the right to a bacon-free shop? Where are the rights of people to feed themselves as they see fit?
kuriakose says
They will insist on a pork free area for the muhameddans. It is already happening in some places.
Ole Pederson says
This already happened elsewhere. It was not about bacon but about selling alcoholic beverages, but the rest was exactly what you describe.
P. Douglas says
Q. WHY is everyone so quick, even eager, to just drop to their knees and kiss the arse of these vile, invading SAVAGES????
Fight these locusts!
Stand up for your own Nation !
These vile creatures will make yours an ass-backward Islamic Hell Hole!