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US Somalis refuse to carry passengers with duty free booze
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Author:  JD [ Sun Nov 12, 2006 7:40 pm ]
Post subject:  US Somalis refuse to carry passengers with duty free booze
How would you like to have a light on top of your vehicle for every type of passenger you refuse to carry? Well here is an instance in America that takes religious belief beyond the bounds of all reasoning.

Perhaps we could have a light for those who don't want to take guide dogs and those who won't take Gays, Lesbians or supporters of rival football teams.

I find it intriguing that these Somalis who come from one of the most war torn areas of the world, don't have a qualm about killing each other but they do have a qualm about carrying passengers with duty free spirits in their luggage.

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MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL

Changes in taxis, Metro Transit

Minneapolis-St. Paul is concerned that its taxi service is deteriorating. Citing their religious beliefs, some Muslim taxi drivers from Somalia are refusing to transport customers carrying or suspected of carrying alcohol. It started with one driver a few years ago, but the average number of fare refusals has grown to about three a day, says airport spokesman Patrick Hogan. "Travelers often feel surprised and insulted," he says. "Sometimes, several drivers in a row refuse carriage."

Taxi drivers and officials from the airport, taxi companies and the Muslim American Society are discussing how to address the issue. Partly out of concern that taxi drivers might be citing religion to avoid short-distance fares, the airport is now forcing drivers who refuse a fare to go to the end of the line for waiting taxis. It is not a popular decision among drivers, Hogan says.

The airport is expected to propose today that drivers who wish to avoid alcohol-toting passengers change the light on their car roofs, possibly to a different color. Hogan says the move will help let airport employees and customers know which taxis serve alcohol-carrying passengers.

Drivers refusing a fare won't have to go to the end of the line. "Airport authorities are not in the business of interpreting sacred texts or dictating anyone's religious choices. ... Our goal is simply to ensure travelers at (the airport) are well served."
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Author:  JD [ Sun Nov 12, 2006 7:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
The most recent update of this situation is as follows.
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Posted on Wed, Oct. 11, 2006


Airport drops plan to mark liquor-free cabs

Backlash derails effort for different-colored light atop Muslim-driven taxis

BY TAD VEZNER

Pioneer Press

Two weeks ago, Twin Cities airport officials were firming up plans to allow many Muslim taxi drivers — staunchly opposed to transporting passengers carrying alcohol of any sort — to alert potential fares of their beliefs with a different-colored light atop their cabs.

After a barrage of negative feedback, they've decided to scrap the idea.

"Since then, we've heard from Australia and England. It's really touched a nerve among a lot of people. The backlash, frankly, has been overwhelming," said Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport spokesman Patrick Hogan. "People are overwhelmingly against any kind of cultural accommodation."

About 80 percent of the airport's taxis are driven by Somalis, who are commonly Muslim, Hogan said. The Quran, Islam's holy book, strictly forbids carrying alcohol. The result: Such drivers refuse to carry passengers and are sent to the back of the cab line — typically a three-hour wait.

The plan, which proposed a $40 light that drivers could buy and a two-tiered pickup system, went so far as to be placed on paper. But nobody signed the papers, and the program never went into effect, Hogan said.

Airport officials responded to the backlash from passengers, and taxi drivers feared the publicity would make people avoid taxis altogether.

Interviews with about a dozen cabbies at the airport Tuesday night indicated that Muslim drivers intend to continue to stand by their religious beliefs and not transport passengers carrying alcohol.

"It's going to be tough, it's going to be really tough, I don't know what's going to be next," said Ali Abdi of St. Paul. "We have the right (to refuse to transport alcohol). We are still human being(s)."

A couple went so far as to say they view the backlash as unfairly targeting Somalis and Muslims.

Non-Muslim drivers said they didn't have opinions on the matter.

After new federal regulations went into effect in August severely restricting liquids aboard planes, Hogan said, the problem has become less of an issue.

Before the regulations went into effect, local Muslim drivers refused alcohol-bearing passengers an average of 77 times a month. Now, it's down to four times a month, Hogan said.

"It's still an issue, but the scope is very different," he said, adding that the committee is still meeting, searching for a solution.

Tad Vezner can be reached at tvezner@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5461
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Author:  Sussex [ Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
JD wrote:
Airport officials responded to the backlash from passengers, and taxi drivers feared the publicity would make people avoid taxis altogether.

Exactly.

FFS if you want to do the job, then great, but if you don't then please go away (I'm in a polite mood tonight) and leave the rest of us at peace.
Author:  Renfrewshire Driver [ Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Why does the US allow these idiots in when we can't even take part in the annual 'Green Card' lottery ?

I would love to emigrate or even work in the States but can't take part in the lottery because I was born on Great Britain (believe it or not if your born on Northern Ireland you can even though it's part o the UK, I guess that's down to the Kennedy's etc.)
Author:  TDO [ Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:13 am ]
Post subject: 
How that even got to the stage of a proposal, is a matter for divine revelation, I suspect.

I mean, it's bad enough letting them go to the back, but knocking back drunks and getting to stay pole is just a joke.

How they thought the other drivers would react to that I don't know, but I suspect it would cause a riot on most ranks.
Author:  TravisBickle [ Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Strange this behaviour, cos on another forum I read that if you arrive at Mogadishu airport there's a rank of cab drivers ready and willing to serve you, WITHOUT asking you if you are carrying booze. :-k Methinks this is someone pulling the plonker of 'The Great Satan'.
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