Florida: Muslim taxi drivers file complaint for Islamic prayers at work

From Creeping Sharia:

Florida: Muslim taxi drivers file complaint for Islamic prayers at work

Posted on March 14, 2012 by creeping

Fresh off shaking down Florida politicians who were poised to ban sharia law in Florida, Hamas-linked CAIR has its next victim in sight. via Muslim taxi drivers file complaint over prayer at work.

ORLANDO — Eight Central Florida Muslim workers are filing complaints with the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against Star Taxi, which is a transportation company based in Orlando.

During a Tuesday morning news conference in Kissimmee, Mohamed Benhassine said he was fired on Jan. 8 because he prayed on a break.

“When we pray at the mall, we choose to pray by the dumpster. So that way we don’t block no traffic. We’re not blocking the sidewalk and we’re not interfering with any business,” said Kissimmee Resident Mohamed Benhassine.

Benhassine said the incident took place on January 8th behind the Premium Orlando Outlets on Vineland Road in Orlando.

“I think in America, everybody has the right to practice his religion freely,” explained Behassine, who said someone took a picture of him praying and that he was fired later that evening.

Meanwhile, Star Taxi, is owned by Transtar Transportation Group. President and CEO Robert Gaye said his company has never recieved an allegation of discrimination in the more than 25 years it has been in business.

However, several other drivers have joined him in filling employment discrimination complaints.

They are being represented by the Florida Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), along with the law firm of Hudson and Calleja.

“These muslim employees are not asking to be treated differently. They want to be treated the same as Christian and Jewish employees and employees of any other faith for that matter,” said Attorney Robert Hudson.

“Employers are required to reasonably accommodate their employees when it comes to religious accommodation. These guys aren’t asking for any special rights. They’re just being asked to be treated with the same rights as all over employees are being offered,” said Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Attorney Hassan Shibly.

Shibly continued his thought by saying that if other drivers if are allowed to smoke or read the bible on breaks, muslims should be allowed to pray on their breaks.

Meanwhile, Benhassine, who is an american citizen, said he has lived in the U.S. for 15 years. Numerous times during the news conference, Benhassine said his first priority is taking care of his 2 boys, and 7 month old baby girl. That’s why he taken his own minvan and turned it into a one man taxi operation.

“So now I decided to just go out on my own, because somehow I have to bring food to the table,” Benhassine concluded.

All of the drivers who are alleging employment discrimination are American citizens.

The drivers allege Star Taxi has a spoken but unwritten rule that Muslim employees are not allowed to pray on breaks.

Attorney Robert Hudson said in six months, the complaints will be followed by a lawsuit against Star Taxi.

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Full Statement from Robert Gaye, President and CEO, Star Taxi

“Over the course of more than 25 years in business and with a diverse group of hundreds of drivers representing all walks of life, Star Taxi has never previously faced an allegation of discrimination. We have built a culture of acceptance and tolerance among all of those who have driven for Star Taxi through the years. For the safety of the drivers and our customers, we have requested that they engage in prayer outside of high traffic areas. Our primary concern is ensuring the safety and security of our customers and drivers.”

Mr Gaye. Do not submit to terror-linked CAIR. If you give an inch now, eventually you will lose it all later. Don’t believe that? Search our archives to see how many companies have made the same mistake.