Course for Bosses on Tolerance towards Muslims

[Calanen]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bosses-pick-up-a-few-pointers-on-the-business-of-being-a-muslim/2007/05/21/1179601331998.html

Bosses pick up a few pointers on the business of being a Muslim.

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/05/22/wilcox_muslim_narrowweb__300x314,2.jpg Cartoon: Cathy Wilcox



A BUSINESS course will teach bosses how to be sensitive to their Muslim employees, with advice on providing prayer rooms at work, what to do when headscarves clash with uniforms, and whether to serve alcohol at the Christmas party.

The course, run by the anti-terrorism think tank the Australian Homeland Research Centre and taught by the Muslim lawyer Irfan Yusuf, is designed to help employers develop "harmonious workplace arrangements" for Muslim workers.

It will sketch out the differences between various Muslim sects and cultures, and explain confusing points, such as why certain religious holidays might be very important to some Muslims but ignored by others.

"Employers want to be seen to be making reasonable adjustments for their Muslim employees," Mr Yusuf said. "It's a risk-management issue."

It is illegal for employers to discriminate against employees on the grounds of religion, or to fire them because of it, but many are confused about what constitutes discrimination, he said.

"I can help people try to define where that line is."

One of the main problems facing employers of Muslims is whether to let their workers go to their mosque for prayers, or to set up a prayer room at work. An in-house prayer room can cause problems of its own because very observant Muslims need to wash thoroughly before they pray.

"That can be a real pain in the butt," Mr Yusuf said. "If you're not used to seeing someone wash their feet in the sink at work, that can be very disturbing. So employers might want to provide some place for them to do it."

Another issue is scarves and veils, which may be incompatible with some uniforms. "Sometimes an indirect form of discrimination may be necessary for the operational requirements of the business. But many women with headscarves find it hard to get jobs in particular professions anyway."

He will also explain that different brands of Islam may observe Ramadan on slightly different dates, and while some sects celebrate the birthday of the prophet Muhammad, others frown upon it. This can be confusing if Muslim workers asking for different days off for the same religious holidays.

"People might ask, 'Is this employee really serious when he says this is a religious requirement or is it just cultural requirement?' "

The centre's director, Athol Yates, said 11 employers had signed up to tomorrow's course. "In times of heightened tension, you can either understand the cultural differences and deal with them, or watch your workers walk away," he said.

[nullterm]

Keep yer hands off the booze.

Scarves are another thing though. As long as it doesn't interfere with the safety of workers then I think reasonable accommodations can be made. Here the RCMP allows Sikh members to where turbans in place of the normal uniform hat.

[Mailman]

When we going to start seeing courses for Muslims to be nice to non-muslims? Just seems a one way street.

Mailman

[OttawaLoneWolf]

whether to serve alcohol at the Christmas party.


mmmm ! serve alcohol

mmm! Christmas party

mmm

[Laworkerbee]

What a total pain in the ass!!!

"If you're not used to seeing someone wash their feet in the sink at work, that can be very disturbing. So employers might want to provide some place for them to do it."

The Quron orders "wudu" or the cleaning not because of a religious sense but because of culture, because it's a good idea to keep yourself clean and the Quron instituted that.

That however should not carry over into the West, we shower every day so why should wudu be needed?

I like how this implies that all Muslims are all religious, that none watch **** or drink PLEASE!!!rofl

and if someone is enough of a zealot that you need to create a special bathroom and prayer room why in Gods name would you invite such a person to a Christmas party.......and since of course that is offensive you must change the name to "holiday party"

[Abolith]

What a total pain in the ass!!!

"If you're not used to seeing someone wash their feet in the sink at work, that can be very disturbing. So employers might want to provide some place for them to do it."


we had a muslim at work for a while.. he demanded the same kinda crap.. I must have a special place to wash and pray several times a day...ect ect..

Boss told that this was not the companies job to provide any of that and if he can't do the job as needed then he could go somewhere else... After a few fights with zee bossman about missing work and other things he was canned.

[nullterm]

and if someone is enough of a zealot that you need to create a special bathroom and prayer room why in Gods name would you invite such a person to a Christmas party.......and since of course that is offensive you must change the name to "holiday party"

Exactly. If they are a hardcore Muslim, why would they go to a Christmas Party in the first place? But if you're not a "everything must be tailored to my religious requirements" type then come on in, enjoy the party, have a drink, enjoy the Christmas cheer.

[mas-36]

When we going to start seeing courses for Muslims to be nice to non-muslims? Just seems a one way street.

Mailman

They are nice to non-muslims. Sometimes they give you a choice between beheading or being stoned to death. That's nice of them, don't you think?

[H3]

Exactly. If they are a hardcore Muslim, why would they go to a Christmas Party in the first place? But if you're not a "everything must be tailored to my religious requirements" type then come on in, enjoy the party, have a drink, enjoy the Christmas cheer.

I've lived in the UAE so when Ramadan comes around you don't go drinking and eating in the street in full view of the locals simply out of respect .

If they were to go to a Christmas party it's up to them but they have no right to question what we do at our religious festivals even if it is just a great big pish up !!

Oh ! and I've seen plenty of the Muslim faith drink but then that’s their choice as well.

Remember when your in someone else’s back yard try and abide by their house rules and not your own .........

[Calanen]

I would like a holy water font, prayer room chapel, priest to drop by and give communion, and services for all days of Holy obligation, because I am a Catholic - all installed at my workplace. Hope I don't appear too demanding, but this is my religion after all. And in the world of moral relativism, no culture or religion is better than any other. Oh, and if I dont get it, Im going to protest, call people racists and burn things like flags and effigies in the street. Thats entirely reasonable I believe, and a tolerant society would readily accept my religious obligations.

[H3]

I would like a holy water font, prayer room chapel, priest to drop by and give communion, and services for all days of Holy obligation, because I am a Catholic - all installed at my workplace. Hope I don't appear too demanding, but this is my religion after all. And in the world of moral relativism, no culture or religion is better than any other. Oh, and if I dont get it, Im going to protest, call people racists and burn things like flags and effigies in the street. Thats entirely reasonable I believe, and a tolerant society would readily accept my religious obligations.

Tell us how you get on !!!!!!!!!!!!

[LRPV]

Not to forget my conversion to being a Jain Monk...now I can come to work naked. It's part of my religious calling.p-)


http://neo-hippy.com/kund2.jpg

Naked Jain Monks in India.

[LaoSexMachine]

Where's the course on being sensitive to Christians, Hindus, or Buddhist?

[LRPV]

Where's the course on being sensitive to Christians, Hindus, or Buddhist?


Following extensive community consultation with all relevant stake-holders, a representative working party will be formed. It is envisaged that this working party will formulate the educational parameters of the relevant courses. Following the submission of the final report by the working party, a financial task force will be nominated to ensure full and proper fiscal and physical resourcing is provided for this important program. Currently, an interim sub-committee is heavily involved in ascertaining timings and planning milestones to facilitate the beginning of the aforementioned process.

[Eokboy]

I could just pray on a rug in my cube and wash my feet in the sink. Prayer room and ablution faucet not needed.

[lider_r]

nobody has mentioned anything yet about xenu and the right to use your e-meter at work

[nullterm]

I would like a holy water font, prayer room chapel, priest to drop by and give communion, and services for all days of Holy obligation, because I am a Catholic - all installed at my workplace. Hope I don't appear too demanding, but this is my religion after all. And in the world of moral relativism, no culture or religion is better than any other. Oh, and if I dont get it, Im going to protest, call people racists and burn things like flags and effigies in the street. Thats entirely reasonable I believe, and a tolerant society would readily accept my religious obligations.

You forgot the angelic painting of Jesus on the wall of every room. Just like being at grandma's.

[toki]

Where's the course on being sensitive to Christians, Hindus, or Buddhist?

I remember when i worked in a large cinema. Mainly students (HS and Uni) worked there. We had no Hindus, no Buddhists, no practising christians but a few practising muslims. Maybe 30% were muslims overall, just a few demanded anything. This would be the case in many places here. Just a statistical fact.

I have to say our boss was not really 'helpful'. He put two girls who didn't want to lay off the head scarve to the phone service (we had a strict dresscode). You can argue about it. But when they started locking the door during prayer and no extra person could assist the lines he fired them. Then again the muslim boys didn't act extraordinary at all. We had Afghanis, Turks, but most were Morrocan and Tunisian.
No problems. Most were very helpful guys and fun to work with.

[Calanen]

You forgot the angelic painting of Jesus on the wall of every room. Just like being at grandma's.

Hey my grandma used to have a Virgin Mary that glowed in the dark and scared the bejesus out of me. I was without bejesus when I stayed at Grandmas.

There was also the graphic and realistic crucifix with jesus bleeding from a spear wound to the side and with a crown of thorns on his head. And then another painting of the chest and head of Jesus, with his heart exposed and it impaled with a lot of daggers.

So I would rush around and put towels over all these horrors, while Grandma was saying 'Oh they are here to help you dear....' Yeah right, blood, daggers, hearts, nails, things that glowed in the dark - what was helping!

[nullterm]

Hey my grandma used to have a Virgin Mary that glowed in the dark and scared the bejesus out of me. I was without bejesus when I stayed at Grandmas.

There was also the graphic and realistic crucifix with jesus bleeding from a spear wound to the side and with a crown of thorns on his head. And then another painting of the chest and head of Jesus, with his heart exposed and it impaled with a lot of daggers.

So I would rush around and put towels over all these horrors, while Grandma was saying 'Oh they are here to help you dear....' Yeah right, blood, daggers, hearts, nails, things that glowed in the dark - what was helping!

Catholic household?

[futurepilot2004]

we had a muslim at work for a while.. he demanded the same kinda crap.. I must have a special place to wash and pray several times a day...ect ect..
.

I`ve had the exact opposite experience.
Several muslims in work, some very religious others not so. They all come to the work parties which involve a large amount of drink. The only thing the more religious among them ask for is a few minutes off to pray. Smokers take more time off then them.

[oldsoak]

Hey my grandma used to have a Virgin Mary that glowed in the dark and scared the bejesus out of me. I was without bejesus when I stayed at Grandmas.

There was also the graphic and realistic crucifix with jesus bleeding from a spear wound to the side and with a crown of thorns on his head. And then another painting of the chest and head of Jesus, with his heart exposed and it impaled with a lot of daggers.

So I would rush around and put towels over all these horrors, while Grandma was saying 'Oh they are here to help you dear....' Yeah right, blood, daggers, hearts, nails, things that glowed in the dark - what was helping!

- went to see a old friend in Ireland and her folks place was just like that. Kept her off me all weekend.

[Calanen]

Yeah Catholic household. I remember saying the rosary with Grandma and kneeling on the floor before all the pictures, statues and candles.

[oldsoak]

- kept you on the straight and narrow then !
- without that you might have turned out a rough, profane, soldier...oops..:-P

[Pandy]

http://pressurecooker.phil.cmu.edu/Jesus/buddy.jpg

"It's all good!"

[kilroy1911]

can you tell me why ONLY the muslims have such a privilegies??? Why they are so tolerated for their faith? Photos on ID card - everyone must be photographed without any headcover - guess who is the exception? Praying at work? Why? do they have longer worktime? Or do they have extra free time for praying? it is discrimination of non-muslims! And Alcohol on parties? Why not? Why to change our traditions and habits? If a muslim doesnt want to drink alcohol, then he should drink something else. Or he should not go to the party at all!

According to christian fate - sunday is a non-working day. Anyone asks the firemen, doctors even salesmen in shoping malls if they can work at sundays? No!

PS: Not talking about how are treated non-muslims in muslim countries. They want our tolerance towards them but have no/limited tolerance to us!

[Calanen]

- kept you on the straight and narrow then !
- without that you might have turned out a rough, profane, soldier...oops..:-P

Worse than that - a criminal defence attorney.