Bus officials apologize to Muslim woman

[deadparrot]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Public transit officials have apologized to a woman wearing an Islamic facial veil who was turned away from a bus and Friday rescinded a rule banning people with face coverings.

The ban was aimed at riders wearing Halloween or ski masks and officials had not considered religious dress, Rapid bus system spokeswoman Jennifer Kalczuk said. The rule was issued earlier this year so that an on-board camera system could help identify riders if there is a disturbance.

A bus driver told the woman in July that she would have to uncover her veil to board the bus, officials said. She had ridden other Rapid buses previously and was able to board another bus the same day.

Debbie Mageed, a Grand Rapids-area Islamic activist, said she appreciated Rapid's response.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061209/ap_on_re_us/brf_public_bus_veil

[LaBanty]

1. Play by the same rules

The rule was issued earlier this year so that an on-board camera system could help identify riders if there is a disturbance.

That sounds reasonable to me if disturbances are a problem.

I'm tired of backwards Fundies - of all religions - asking for special considerations and being offended that the rest of society doesn't want to accomodate their horseshit in public places.

[Jazzgirl]

2. Riiighhhtttt.....

:crazy: :crazy:

[Richard Steele]

3. Please, tell us more.

[toshirajo]

4. Some operators

take malicious delight strictly interpreting the policy book to hassle people. Others take their job seriously enforcing policy without prejudice in an effort to protect themselves, the passengers, and the company. Without talking to this operator, it's going to be hard to tell from this report alone what their true intent was. Obviously, admin realised their wording was too broad and corrected it immediately.

***

The first response from LaBanty is completely moronic.