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Feb 27, 2007 8:05 pm US/Central
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Muslim Cabbies Won't Bend In Dispute Over Alcohol
by Lisa Kiava
(WCCO)
In recent years, thousands of people at Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport either couldn't get a taxi cab or they had to wait hours for one.
The problem -- Muslim cabbies said they can't transport people carrying alcohol.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission is considering a get-tough policy.
If cabbies refuse service to certain customers they'll get suspended for a month. If they do it again, they won't be allowed to pick up fares from the airport for two years.
Airport officials said debates between cabbies and customers have been happening more often and the arguments are getting uglier.
"At times, the police have been called and at times the discretions have been very difficult," said Steve Wareham, MSP Airport director.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport seems to be the only place in the world with this conflict. One MAC official wondered why, noting that he has met Muslim cabbies in Las Vegas, and never had the problem.
"One can imagine that in Las Vegas one would carry passengers with lots of alcohol," said Greg Warner, MAC commissioner.
"These people are practicing their religion ... let them practice under the First Amendment of the United States -- freedom of religion," said Muslim Imam, Hassan Muhammad.
Some Muslim drivers have also refused to drive blind people with service dogs saying their religion restricts contact with animals.
Representatives from the blind community are outraged and the timing couldn't be worse.
"This summer we have a blind convention that we're hosting here in the Twin Cities and we're expecting 300 people with guide dogs," said Arlie Johnson, of MSP Landside Operations.
Minneapolis officials said the city could receive bad press worldwide if hundreds of blind people are refused cab service.
MAC will make a decision on the get-tough policy in the weeks ahead, prior to that convention.
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