UK: Blind man turned away from Muslim owned restaurant

UK: Blind man turned away from Muslim owned restaurant


A blind man was allegedly turned away from an Indian restaurant - because the owner said it was against his Muslim beliefs to allow dogs into his establishment.


Alun Elder-Brown, who was among a party of birthday guests, said he was even threatened with a police call if his guide dog Finn didn't leave – despite showing an animal permit.


The 51-year-old sales executive is now planning to sue the Kirthon Restaurant in affluent Tunbridge Wells, Kent.


If a court finds they breached the Disability Discrimination Act, bosses could be forced to pay him compensation.


Mr Elder-Brown said today: 'It was humiliating and degrading, especially as there were a lot of people around me.


'They told me we couldn't come in because it was against their religious beliefs to have a dog in the restaurant.


'They then said I could leave Finn tied up outside. I stayed calm but when they said they would call police I left.'


(..)


The brother of Kirthon's owner, Amenur Abdussamad, confirmed it was against their religious beliefs to allow a dog in the restaurant.


(more)


Source: Daily Mail (English)

4 comments:

Joachim Martillo said...

The restaurant owners are simply incorrect about the general Islamic legal opinion on seeing eye dogs.

Joachim Martillo said...

It is worth remarking that Halakhah (Jewish religious law) is generally fairly hostile to dogs but agrees with sharia on seeing eye dogs.

Esther said...

Joachim Martillo,

Let's say this person really didn't understand Sharia law. So you expect that this Friday imams across Britain will explain to their followers that it's a mistake and that we will never hear of such cases?

Dogs are actually honored in a way in Jewish law, but that's not the point here. Many religious Jews do see dogs as unclean creatures.

Joachim Martillo said...

One hears about seeing eye dog cases off and on in the USA. Lots of people are ignorant of the law whether American or Sharia.