"Cabbies, Muslim Culture Clash at Minneapolis Airport"

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Airport officials won't help Muslim cabbies get fares 
The Associated Press


MINNEAPOLIS - Airport officials have dropped a proposal to accommodate
Muslim cabbies who refused to transport passengers with alcohol because of
religious concerns.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport officials had worked with the
Muslim American Society and taxi companies on a pilot program directing
Muslim cabbies to place a light atop their cabs to designate they won't take
riders carrying alcohol. Airport employees could then refer such travelers
to other cabs.

But airport authorities said earlier this week that the public response was
overwhelmingly negative, and some taxi companies feared that people would
switch to other forms of ground transportation.

For now, taxi drivers who refuse passengers with alcohol will continue to
forfeit their place in the taxi queue and return to the back of the line,
which often means a three-hour wait for another fare.

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