Muslim cop refuse's to shake Sir Ian Blairs hand?

Question

What is the point of a Muslim police graduate refusing to shake Sir Ian Blairs hand !!! Does that mean she will turn and run when she try's to arrest me, because i'd say " fair cop you got me" and offer to shake her hand. So whats the point of her joining the police force ?

Answer 1

Obviously she is being rascist - bet nothing gets said about that then!

Answer 2

I'm a police officer in the Met and I think that maybe she wouldn't be an ideal partner to patrol with if she won't shake a man's hand, . I've had to arrest men with their nobs hanging out and
urinating on me at the time of arrest!!!! She does seem an odd choice for the job if this is the case. However, maybe it's only shaking a man's hand as a greeting, perhaps she doesn't have a problem with putting her hands on a man to make an arrest. We'll never know because the media hasn't made that clear.

After going through the same training centre as this lady I do know that she will have been required to go through many physical situations such a restraining techniques, handcuffing techniques, emergency life support and other officer safety concerns, so she is no doubt more than capable of doing her job.

As there are many muslim people living in London, it is important that the police in London in some way reflects the community which it polices.

However, to the people who think it's racist, please learn the meaning if the word. The reason she didn't shake Ian Blairs hand was not because he was white, it was because he was a male and she would only shake hands with her husband.

It's time we all stopped hiding behind the racist tag, believe me, it makes my job so much more difficult and I have to do so much more paperwork everytime someone ignorantly puts bad/unusual/inconsiderate behaviour down to racism. And that goes for all races!!!

Answer 3

There are somethings that I wish to bring up....

Firstly, she was able to graduate as a police officer. I believe that one can't simply graduate by simply looking good in the uniform. Prior to graduation, one have to go through training. Many of which I believe are contact based. However, the fact still remains that she graduated. Does this not suggest that she is suitable for the job?

Perhaps the reason, that she refused was that she was uncomfortable of displaying contact in public. Please take note that this ceremony is taking place in front of a lot of people. As a Muslim, she must have been willing to compromise to fulfill her duty as a police officer if she had managed to graduate. However, she may have been unable to display physical contact in front of the audience (which may include her parents which are even more conservative). However, I agree that any misunderstanding would have been mediated if she had offer any explanation.

I would also like to bring attention to the emphasis of her being a Muslim. Would any of you give this much attention if she was of any other religion? If she weren't a Muslim but simply a lady, one would almost immediately attribute it to her personality and simply brush her off as an overly shy person. So I ask of you; Why the overemphasis on her being a Muslim?

Answer 4

EVERYONE!!!

let's not be racist. please understand this Muslim's position.

1st, you have to understand some Islam laws, its not a tradition. go to your dictionary, find the definition for "Haram", and continue reading this.

For a Muslim woman, she is forbidden/Haram for her to have any touch-contact with ALL males except her husband, father, grandfather, brother and elder relatives... that is the reason why she cannot shake hands with Sir Ian Blair...

in my country, where Muslims are the minority, it is perfectly understood of this issue. in fact, it is not even an issue! racial and religious harmony is very strong.
if we don't understand each other's customs, we are not shy to appropriately ask each other about it, and the other will explain. we understand and tolerate each other :)

that is why i feel racial and religious harmony is VERY IMPORTANT. with it, comes understanding of why the other guy does this and doesnt do that, etc... next, is tolerance, so that we can live together peacefully with no problems. and such consequences such as this won't even surface :)

Sir Ian Blair is definitely not in the wrong. i feel she is partially wrong, for she did not explained herself, because Islam is not fully understood in that country. if she did, there would be nothing to talk about :)

hmm... YES, i most agree. she should not have taken that job. being a police officer, means having to work with many people. that includes shaking hands too. she should have understood what its meant to be a police officer, before she became one. i'm pretty sure there are other jobs out there for her. she should consider switching jobs.

Answer 5

"British Islamic leaders yesterday defended a Muslim woman police constable who refused to shake hands with her force's chief because of her beliefs.

"The Metropolitan police officer declined to have any physical contact with commissioner Sir Ian Blair at a passing out ceremony for newly qualified recruits.

"Muslim groups said her refusal was in line with common Islamic practice and called for greater understanding of cultural differences.

"Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said the "overwhelming majority" of practising Muslims would avoid physical contact with a member of the opposite sex unless they were closely related.

"But he added that those employed as police officers or doctors, for example, would not have a problem with touching people in order to fulfil their duties. "This is not a sign of disrespect or anything. Indeed this is also the case with the Orthodox Jewish community," he said."

Answer 6

I dunno, I once had a maths teacher who converted to islam and refused to touch a female, e.g shake mother's hand at parents evening, giving you pen careful not to touch your hand and this was a girls school...hm. but I got no idea why the didn't shake SIR IAN Blair's hand

Answer 7

Not having or able to find this report of yours in the news, I can`t really comment on your question.
I think this should be taken up by her superior officer and if found wanting, she should be, well ******* sacked.


urbanvigi... A question for you. Why did she join????

Answer 8

That is very disrespectful and wouldn't be tolerated from anyone else in the MET But I'm not surprised! She will only arrest women I suppose! lol

Answer 9

Well I'd call that being racist. Lets face it if it was the other way around there would be worldwide anti west protests!

Answer 10

Definitely wrong temperment for that job. Wonder how she made it through the psychological evaluation?