Driver claimed carrying dog was 'against his religion'
A TAXI driver who said religion forbade him from carrying a blind man and his guide dog has been fined.
Ali Reza Roshanmoniri later said he was allergic to animal hair and did not realise he needed a certificate making him exempt from carrying guide dogs.
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The taxi was booked with Cable Cars, based in Beeston, for Christopher Odell, a voluntary counsellor who had been working at Sunnyside School in Chilwell.
The job was accepted by the firm, but when Roshanmoniri arrived at the school on the afternoon of August 27 he refused to take Mr Odell and his dog.
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This broke the conditions of the licence he was granted by Broxtowe Borough Council, who yesterday prosecuted Roshanmoniri for failing to carry a disabled person with a dog, an offence under the Disability Discrimination Act.
John Cunliffe, representing the council, told Nottingham Magistrates Court: "Most of the operators are aware that Mr Odell is blind and accompanied by his guide dog.
"On seeing Mr Odell's guide dog he said it was against his religion to carry dogs in his vehicle. It was explained to him that the dog was a working dog and could not be refused carriage."
The member of staff who ordered the taxi phoned Cable Cars, who immediately sent another taxi and said the driver would be taken off for the rest of the day.
She later made a complaint to Broxtowe Borough Council, who confirmed that the driver had been suspended.
In the meantime, Roshanmoniri obtained a letter from his GP saying he has an allergy to dogs, and hand-delivered it to the licensing officer at Broxtowe Borough Council.
The licence Roshanmoniri was previously granted said the carrying of pets is normally at a driver's discretion, but drivers have to carry 'assistance dogs' such as those for deaf or blind people.
Drivers may apply to the council for an exemption on medical grounds, but Roshanmoniri had not done this.
No checks were made to ascertain if Roshanmoniri was a Muslim – Islam generally considers dogs to be unclean.
But Mr Cunliffe said that Muslims are expected to make exceptions for guide dogs and other assistance dogs.
Roshanmoniri, of Sandringham Drive, Bramcote, was fined £300 after responding to a summons with a guilty plea. He will have to pay this, along with £150 in legal costs and a £15 victim surcharge, in 28 days.
caroline.lowbridge@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
Comments
by Nottinghamite
Sunday, February 05 2012, 8:13PM
“It seems to me that one's faith is something that one practises and holds dear, but it is not something that should be rammed down other people's throats. England, Canada, Holland, were founded on Christianity. If someone practises another religion, fine, but it should never be allowed to contravene the laws of the land. Why are the powers that be allowing this to continue? It is because by "stroking" these individuals they will get more votes and get into office. This is folly. The laws of the land should be enforced and not bent to suit so called "rights and religious freedoms". Has anyone heard of Hitler? Has anyone heard of Osama Bin Laden? WAKE UP NOW BEFORE WE HAVE ANOTHER 1939-1945!!!”
by Ibn Kammuna, USA
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 3:26PM
“to learn more about the religion of Peace go to "Faith Freedom International" or FFI.ORG
that is a great sight to learn about how good Islam is.”
by Nafeesa, nottingham
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 9:09AM
“Islam does not say u r not permitted to help a blind person with a dog! I have no idea where this man got this from! Why did he use religion as an excuse, all he had to say he was allergic to dogs. People need to know the facts before they criticise people over religion, not every muslim is bad as all these hypocritrical muslims!”
by jamie, nottinghamshire
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 12:47AM
“I will have to stick up for cable cars as i have used them plenty of times with my DOG and all the drives have been most helpful. This must have been a one off hope that the driver is sacked. I hope all the other cable car drivers are not going to be tarred with the same brush.”
by Onlooker, Nottingham
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 5:42PM
“Ali Reza Roshanmoniri got far too big for his bootsThis is the problem. One bends over backwards to worship the God of multiculturalism and some people take the mickey
Shame on this taxi driver”
by mike, the shagadelic one
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 5:35PM
“CABLE CARS IF YOU DONT SACK HIM I DONT IMAGINE MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE FAITH IN YOUR DRIVERS, YOU SHOULD BE TRUSTWORTHY TO BE A TAXI DRIVER, THIS THING OBVIOUSLY IS UNTRUSTWORTHY AND I WILL NEVER ALLOW ANYONE I KNOW TO USE CABLE CARS AGAIN.”
by gary, Attenborough
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 5:22PM
“This driver should have been sacked.
After he stated it was against his religion, then he was allergic to animal hair.
I wonder what faith the doctor was?
If he will not adhere to the rules of this country he should ship out.
Cable cars should have dismissed him or are they affraid of the consequences.”
by can you believe it?!, well, actually, i can!
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 4:54PM
“makes you proud eh? on this day, when we remember war heroes past and present, that they died or put their lives on the line, for likes of people like that, who live in a freedom that was fought for, so they can bully disadvantaged folk like that, all in the name of religion! thanks pal, millions died for nothing.........”
by mr white, nottingham
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 3:25PM
“Sack this fool”
by hahaha, so do i
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 2:59PM
“great post!”