Question re McDonald’s versus the Muslim religion and hijab versus bacon?

[jody]

Dearborn McDonald's sued by 2 Muslim women

"I applied for the McDonald's position maybe two weeks ago and he simply (told me) I had to make a choice and remove my hijab, or I would not be able to establish employment there," Pugh said. "When I walked away, I was definitely hurt by it and disturbed. I was confused that it could happen here in Dearborn, with so many Muslims."

Hijab is an Arabic word meaning "cover." It refers to traditional Islamic dress, intended to encourage modesty, in which women often cover everything but the hands and face.

I understand the issue with wearing a hijab but why would people who are apparently such devout believers not also object to working with pork products as bacon in McDonald’s products?

[knitter4democracy]

1. It's the only hilal McDonalds in the US.

I doubt they even have bacon, but if they do, it's probably separated from everything else. That's why the women have a case: the manager has bent over backwards for the Muslim community there but now all of a sudden won't allow hijabs. It doesn't make sense at all.

[JerseygirlCT]

10. is it a safety concern?

With all those fryers around, what might happen to a loose piece of scarf if it got caught? (That's a serious question, BTW)

I can't see any other reason to object. Especially in an area with so many Muslims. And hey, they often make people wear hair coverings in food service places - doesn't this serve that purpose as well?

[knitter4democracy]

12. There are sport-style hijabs, though.

They're made out of lycra or similar materials and don't come off easily. If the manager asked them to make sure their hijabs couldn't come off (which the women don't want to happen, either), it wouldn't be hard to find those in Dearborn, even in colors to match their uniforms.

[JerseygirlCT]

13. Didn't know that!

Well, that takes that concern off the table. Thanks.

[knitter4democracy]

14. I used to teach high school.

I had a Muslim student one year, and she did a great thing in explaining a lot to me and my class, especially during the ancient texts unit.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Because they don't eat the pork products?

:shrug:

[jody]

3. But as employees, I assume they would be treated as others and be required to touch pork products

when preparing McDonald's products.

Is that a wrong assumption and would employees who are Muslim's be treated differently than other employees?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. Does Islam...

or this person's interpretation of Islam say they can't touch pork, or only just eat it?

Jews follow the same set of rules. Does a Jewish person working in non-kosher restaurant strike you as odd?

[jody]

6. Interesting point re the Jewish religion. I hope some DUer will answer your question. n/t

[Meshuga]

15. It would be odd if it was a Jew who follows laws of kashrut

Jews who follow kashrut would not even consider applying to work at a McDonalds because it has un-kosher food. But those who don't follow kashrut would consider working at a McDonalds.

But as far as Islam, I would pose the same question as you did. Perhaps the prohibition is about consuming pork. And if muslims can eat non-pork products from a McDonalds then why can't they work at a McDonalds? :-)

[fl410]

4. Extorting big bucks from McD is a lot easier than actually working.

:eyes:

[knitter4democracy]

7. Please read the whole story.

They have a case, if not on religious grounds, then on sexism grounds.

Dearborn is a mostly Arab-American suburb of Detroit. It has the highest population of Iraqis in the US and pretty much every other Arab nationality. The restaurant is the only McDs in the country that follows hilal (kosher for Muslims), so why deny them their wearing of the hijab? It wouldn't interfere with their jobs in any way and seems fishy when they're so accomdating of Muslim faith in other ways.

[Boojatta]

8. Maybe a man who works at that restaurant could wear a hijab for one week...

as a test.

[knitter4democracy]

9. Or perhaps a keffiyeh?

I wonder if that would be allowed. Except that it has entirely different social ramifications than the hijab--Western society looks at it as a symbol of terrorists, not of woman subjugation.

[cosmik debris]

11. As hard as it is to keep hair out of food

I would think that the hijab would be the best solution to everyone's problem.

It is certainly a lot better than a paper hat.

[maxsolomon]

16. o lord, free us from monotheism.

would that there were a world without the 3 monotheisms. they're very tiresome.

[Marrah_G]

17. I'm thinking it had to do with loose cloth maybe being a danger

I can't see this owner wanting to upset his customers.

Perhaps he doesn't know about the sports one and then can still come to a solution that suits everyone.