Muslim cabbies face license loss for refusing fares with alcohol

By Audrey Hudson
The Washington Times
Published April 18, 2007

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport will begin suspending
licenses of Muslim taxi drivers who refuse for religious reasons to provide
service to passengers transporting alcohol.

The Metropolitan Airports Commission voted unanimously Monday to suspend a
driver's airport taxi license for 30 days for the first offense and revoke
it for two years after a second offense. The policy goes into effect May 11.

The action "will strengthen compliance with our taxi cab ordinance and
ensure people who seek taxi service receive it," commission Executive
Director Jeff Hamiel said.

"Some Muslims believe that it is inappropriate not only to drink alcohol,
but to carry or transport alcohol," said Jeff Hassan, a lawyer representing
the Muslim cabdrivers. "Some would interpret that to mean carry or transport
for hire or for profit, so there are a few different interpretations on
prohibitions."

On Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:16:09 -0500, "Chas.Chan" charlies.com>
wrote:

As well they ought to. One presumes the 7th Day Adventists have some
problems in refusing to work on Saturdays as well.

Trying to accomodate all the organized superstitions out there means
some eventual compromise, or else the folks will Stand On Principle
and not be employed.

Not really important, either way. They get to choose.

On Apr 18, 10:16 am, "Chas.Chan" charlies.com> wrote: