By Abdirahman Aynte, The Center for Independent Media
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Minneapolis, MN (HOL)-After listening to emphatic appeals from proponents and opponents of a new taxicab ordinance at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the Metropolitan Airports Commission is considering increasing the penalty for drivers who refuse to transport alcohol-toting passengers because of religious concerns.
About 200, mostly Somalis, people packed a hotel room in Bloomington on Tuesday for a hearing that took more than four hours.
Airport director Steve Wareham said some drivers refuse to transport customers with service dogs. Others avoid short fares or passengers who pay with airline vouchers and credit cards.
One after another, taxi drivers denied refusing to carry people with service dogs. Abdinoor Dolal, a taxi driver who said he’s in favor of a penalty for “unauthorized fare refusals,” said the service dog issue is thrown into the debate “tendentiously.” More than 50 taxi drivers who attended the hearing clapped in support of Dolal when he offered a free ride to the 300 blind people with guide dogs who are expected to come to the Twin Cities for a convention in July.
The issue
The debate over fare refusals began a decade ago, but intensified during the past five years. The airports commission said it documented 5,222 fare refusals since 2002. Wareham said the commission “explored many options with the drivers but couldn’t reach a deal.”
In fact, the commission abruptly withdrew from a pilot deal that would have color-coded teetotaler drivers after receiving negative feedback from the public.
More than 70 percent of the airport’s 900 taxi drivers are Muslims from Somalia. Many say carrying visible alcohol would amount to sinning. But they emphatically deny “sniffing” passengers’ luggage.
If taxi drivers want to pick and choose their passengers, Wareham said, customers felt they should be able to do the same.
As for airline vouchers, taxi drivers said the hassle to cash vouchers often exceeds the fare. Dolal said he finally cashed Tuesday a $50 voucher he received Dec. 15. He even paid parking fees while cashing vouchers.
The rules
Taxi drivers who refuse a fare have to go back to the end of the line under the current rule. That would be changed to a 30-day suspension for the first offense and revocation of the license for two years for the second offense under the proposed ordinance.
Drivers and their advocates say that’s unnecessarily too harsh.
Imam Hassan Mohamud of St. Paul said the proposed ordinance is “unduly harsh.” He said the drivers are asking for a “reasonable accommodation.”
‘Discrimination’
Proponents and opponents of the proposed ordinance said they face discrimination. Rebecca Kragnes, president of Minnesota Guide Dog Users, said blind people like her are facing “overt refusals” and “covert refusals.”
The first is when a driver blatantly refuses to carry animals. The latter, she said, is when a driver seamlessly bypasses a blind person with a dog. “Though both forms of refusals are bad, the latter is particularly frustrating for blind people and is hard to detect.” she said.
Ahmed Shine, a taxi driver for seven years, described the ordinance as a blatant discrimination against hard-working immigrants.
“When I was coming to America 10 years ago,” he said, “I was told by American officials I wouldn’t be discriminated against in this country, but now it is happening.”
Shine and other drivers disparaged two signs that read, “Separation of Mosque & Airport,” and “No Shar’ia in Minnesota.” Douglas Bass of St. Paul said he made the signs. Some of the drivers staged a sunset prayer near the signs.
Different interpretations
Muslim scholars have varying interpretations for the broad text that bans Muslims from alcohol. Imam Mohamud of St. Paul said pious Muslims should avoid transporting “visible alcohol.”
But the Islamic Jurisprudence Council of Minnesota, which includes more than 10 imams, previously issued an edict calling for Muslim drivers to transport “all customers,” regardless of “what they carry or who they’re with.”
The airports commission will make a final decision sometime in April. If approved, the ordinance will take effect May 11.
Abdirahman Aynte can be reached at Ceynte@hiiraan.com
Source: HOL, Mar 01, 2007
MJ Gabar: Outfit obviously says alot about you but doesn't ultimately define you as a character. Your personality either is noncognitive of atire, but lets respect Jilbab for what it is and not for who is wearing.
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gabar_mj, subxaana laah. Sister, Allah commanded Muslim women to wear halabib and it is not a joke when it comes from Allah. So, insulting sisters who are following the way of Allah, is not right at all. So, plz fear God and respect all Muslims.
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Caraweelo well said sister, they don't nothing about religion. Ladies with jalbaab are the xun and beenlay ladies on earth,they just the jalbiib to get married and man's are most abusive man's.
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More than anything else, I am saddened by the fact
that no Muslim leader is speaking out on this issue.
It’s the actions of fanatics like these taxi drivers
that are giving Somali people a bad name!
Someone needs to educate these idiots and tell them
that they won’t go ‘hell’ because they transport
someone with a guide dog or a tourist with a bottle
of wine.
Dheereeye
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Obviously these cabbies didn’t understand CLEARLY the policies and rules pertaining the issuance of the License to drive the cab otherwise they wouldn’t be complaining afterwards. This is a Nation of laws whether you understand that or not and if for any reason you can’t follow the rules, then it is your right to change course of action and find something that suits your personal believe.
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If it was up to me Rocket Launch, you would not even be on this forum. Listen up, I dont want to say anything about Rocket Launch's identity because only Allah knows, but it is clear from his comments that he is anti everything else in this forum. Go away to some kuffar forum if you want to behave like them.
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Rocket, am glad no one listens to you and got an advice from you. Let me tackle this in a different way, I think your hatred against the Muslims and especially the Somalis would hurt you in the future. Am done.
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What a disgrace. If it was up to me, the taxi drivers license will be suspended for ten years. How can you refuse service to people and expect them to treat you as assimilating in to their community.
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Halal is clear, Haraam is clear btw them is a gray area and whoever shuns away from the gray areas obviously has protected and purified his DEEN. Be one.
For the Cabbies you have the option to leave or take the Job if you realy care about your faith. Anyway how did you sign up for the Job? didn't you read the rules and regulations and know exactly what you were to deal with in the first place? Then Y complain now?
Thanks for the commentators you obviously hit the nail on the head.
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Wadankii soomaliyey ciida mada la isu gelinyaan
nimankaa tigrega reer ka tahay kuma dhahayan caruur
iyo ciroole waa jirdilayaal waa kan odey soomaliyey
intii la jirdiley oo dhabarka laga jabshey baa ciida
xeebta madaxa loogeliyey waa odey da ah dambiga uu
galey oo inuu soomali ahaa kaliye ciidisana joogey
kuwiinan gaalada utagereya adeerkey baa wata
taasa idin sugeysa ee isku xishoodoo ilaahey kabaqa
xaqa iyo baadilka waa kala cad yihiin
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Somalis Go back to your home and dictate to your people, you come to a countyr build by other people, and you want to tell the owner of that countyr how to behave, became it does not suit you!
I am surprise at these guys, where to they get off dictating to other
about their religion.
You don't want to take a drunk fare, get bloody another job or go back to your home!
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Wargays lagu Magacaabo Seattle Weekly ayaa soo faagey dabagalna ku sameeyey xogta runta ah ee wiil Soomaaliyeed oo loo magacaabey safiirka Soomaaliya u fadhiya Mareykanka, waxaana uu wargaysku baaritaan ku heley in wiilkaasi oo iibiyo dukaan taleefoonada laga dirsado uu been ka sheegey waxbarashadiisa markii uu ku andacoodey inuu ka qalin jebiyey Jaamacadda gobolka Washington oo iyadu beenisey arrintaas.
Kooshin Maxamed oo 28-jir ah, ayna isku beel yihiin Madaxweyne C/hi Yuusuf waa safiirka rasmiga ah ee dawladda Soomaaliya uga wakiilka ah Mareykanka waxaana sidaa xaqiijiyey shaqsiyaad uu ka mid yahay Slade Gorton oo hore uga tirsnaaa aqalka Senate-ka ama Odayaasha ee Mareykanka oo sheegey inuu ula shaqeeyo la taliye-ahaan sidoo kalena waxaa wargaysku soo heley inuu Kooshin dhowaan ka soo laabtey Washington oo uu Wasaaradda Arrimaha Dibedda ee Mareykanka hor dhigey mashruuc ku kacaya $316 Milyan oo dollar oo dawladda Mareykanka laga doonayo inay ku taageerto Soomaaliya.
kooshin inta kudarey yey waa adeerky saasaana kumuteys
tey booskaan qabil qabiil
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Saacadihii dhareerka iyo mataga ayaa la soo galay..goodbye
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Wargays lagu Magacaabo Seattle Weekly ayaa soo faagey dabagalna ku sameeyey xogta runta ah ee wiil Soomaaliyeed oo loo magacaabey safiirka Soomaaliya u fadhiya Mareykanka, waxaana uu wargaysku baaritaan ku heley in wiilkaasi oo iibiyo dukaan taleefoonada laga dirsado uu been ka sheegey waxbarashadiisa markii uu ku andacoodey inuu ka qalin jebiyey Jaamacadda gobolka Washington oo iyadu beenisey arrintaas.
Kooshin Maxamed oo 28-jir ah, ayna isku beel yihiin Madaxweyne C/hi Yuusuf waa safiirka rasmiga ah ee dawladda Soomaaliya uga wakiilka ah Mareykanka waxaana sidaa xaqiijiyey shaqsiyaad uu ka mid yahay Slade Gorton oo hore uga tirsnaaa aqalka Senate-ka ama Odayaasha ee Mareykanka oo sheegey inuu ula shaqeeyo la taliye-ahaan sidoo kalena waxaa wargaysku soo heley inuu Kooshin dhowaan ka soo laabtey Washington oo uu Wasaaradda Arrimaha Dibedda ee Mareykanka hor dhigey mashruuc ku kacaya $316 Milyan oo dollar oo dawladda Mareykanka laga doonayo inay ku taageerto Soomaaliya.
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anti ter sxb they loosing they are trying s hard to
sound like they were born here when in fact they are
over 45 and they were raised as a Somalian Moslems.
they don't even talk like they from the hood.
they think like white/Christian they thing Islam
is for the stone age.waa dad weynaanta kusaaqidey lol
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Brothers, this issue are all about leave it or like it, and this job is the worst job that a person can do or work. My suggestion is to all Somali Cab drivers especially those who work at Airport to go to school and find suitable job which they will be respected instead of humiliating. No one force you to do this job and at the same time telling you not to practice your religion. So use your mind and find another job which the name of Somali will be respected and you yourself as a Somali integrity protector.
Thank You
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shukuman cade woow I didnot know it is native indian name lol. you are talking like red necks. anyway when reck neck sees us me and you walking on the street, they will see only our skins and say you dont beloing here.lol
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Yaaqayoow, ma casri jaahiliya ayaan ku noqonay, qofkii dhaho nimankaan way qaldan yihiin, sheekada ma waxay isku bedeleysaa kan waa pro kufaar ba ama pro alcohol. Somaali ma saan baa u danbeeysay, in waxyaalo basiid ah la isku haysto, waxaana keenaya in diinta ay la ordayaan niman/naago jaahiliin ah, mayal adagna oo aan diinta waxba ka aqoon. It is sad.
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In this country there are laws preventing what you are trying to accomplish, and they will not bend it for you. Please move to Saudia or Pakistan.
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The celeverone. if you dont have right to empose your way or religion in MN, who gave white people right to impose their way or laws in MN when they came MN and killed native indians few houndred years ago? Brother , we all immigarants. you and the other white imigarant should have same rights. If they impose their laws, why not you? Only native indians have right to say to you dont come my country or empose ur law not other white immigrants.
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THe cleverone Brovo brother icouln't agree with you more
remember we are rufugess trying to impose our will to a people that is hosting
please if don't like your job find another job there is plenty but please don't make fool of your self
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See, for those of us who do not agree with the Taxi drivers should make it clear to them that they should not count on the community to stand for their silly demands. There are so many other pressing issues that should focus on rather worry about who is drinking alchohol. I can bet money on it, some of their children will probably start drinking when they grow older and they will be nothing Cabbie fathers can do about that. I mean, seriously, what will they do then? C'mon!
I have recently been reading book reviews of this somali lady that is extremely controversial and one of the things she points out is THAT IMMIGRANTS INTOLERANCE TOWARD THE LARGER POPULATION. I thought that was absurd! As Immigrant/Refugee myself I can not believe what I am seeing here! Just unbeleivable!
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I am a cab driver and I do pick up all sorts of customers, including those who are either drunk or have alcohol in their possession. It's my job to transport people from point A to B and elsewhere, not to dictate to them as to what they can or cannot do in accordance with my personal beliefs.
I appreciate the rights and the opportunities I have been given in this land of plenty, I have no intention of imposing my will/religion upon others. That is essentially the beauty of this land. If the job isn't suitable and is inconsistant with how I life then it's my prerogative to look for another, not make an outragous demand.
I think it's very unfortunate that we have become a sticking-point in so many countries that have given us so much. We are always the agitators.
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ali, so are you proposing we all take the religion, and customer of the Americans? You are 100% wrong brother, everyone came to the USA one time except the Indian Americans, and the beauty is in this country you can practice your own culture, and religion, so the Cab drivers have reason to argue. No one is saying people don't have the right to drink, or carry alchol but all they are saying is we aren't willing to provide a ride to these people. I am sure they will find someone willing to provide this service - perhaps someone like yourself who doesn't care about this issue.
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Send them back to DHADHAAB refugee camps where they come from. Let us see if there are any fares to refuse. this is sick...
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What is wrong with these people, the cab drivers!...you are comig to USA and you wanna force people to follow your way of seeing things. Why it is important what the passenger drinks or what alcohol he/she curries in his/her bag as long as they can pay the ride fare!
You are refugees, you have been given the opportunity to be in America and you are sticking your noses where it does not belong. You wanna drive taxi, serve every costumer. You don’t want to, find other job. As simple as that.
Why we only Somalis make noise wherever we are in this world demanding rights we cannot create in our homeland! Other muslims are more educated and they don’t do things like this, why we on the spot light? What is wrong with us?...shame on you taxi drivers. You are not motivated by Islam but ignorance and ego. It will back fire...
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The writer of this articles says some scholars say it is okay and some say it is not, so the question is which one is right? I think we are all responsible adults and need to all learn our religion well so we don't have to be confused about issues like this. It is abvious to me dealing with alchol isn't a wise idea relion wise, so these cab drivers have the right to work and try to argue thier case. I personally know many people who does this work and many of them attend school or have other jobs, so I say more power to you. The question would be what would the somalis do if this restriction comes into play, will they choose to drive the non-airport taxi or quit and do something else? So, we'll wait and see insha alah.
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