Hi everybody,
This is the letter from the former Imam of the Ottawa mosque
regarding access to taxies for blind people accompanied by guide
dogs.  The O6ttawa address of this association is still current.
     The lady who kindly provided this text has given permission
to distribute it in any format to people who may find it helpful.
     Warmest regards,
     Alan
515 St. laurent Blvd. 
Ottawa, K1K 3L5
Alan conway
152 Du Ravin Bleu
Hull, Quebec J8Z 1X8
March 30, 1998
                 RE: Guide dogs and taxi drivers
Dear Alan:
It is very commendable that you have undertaken to inform persons
affected by the refusal of some taxi drivers to take passengers
with guide dogs in their cars.
In Islam there is no definitive text regarding guide dogs.
However, the spirit of the Islamic law (Shariah) indicates that
we have to make things easier for people, and not difficult.
I am attaching a letter herwith. This letter was written by the
Late Imam Dr.  Tawfik Shahin, for a Calgary case. It gives an
explanation for the ruling in that case. 
May I suggest that the letter be posted on Internet. This may
allow the Companies an access to it in order to inform their
drivers.
Thank you for your efforts in the cause of human rights and
justice!
sincerely
Khadija
October 1st, 1992
The Ottawa Muslim Association 
P.O. BOX 2952, POSTAL STATION 'D"
OTTAwA, (ONTARIO K1P 5W9.
257 Northwestern Avenue
Ottawa
Mr. Terry Green
Transportation of Disabled Persons Branch
Transport Canada
Place de Ville, Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
               Re: Transportation of trainer dogs
Dear Mr. Green:
     This letter is in reply to your phone, enguiry of August
31st, regarding the refusal of a Muslim taxi driver in Calgary to
transport a blind person with a trainer dog, claiming that his
religious beliefs do not allow him to transport the dog.
     It is true that many Muslims consider dogs to be impure or
unclean. Also, in third world countries, where most dogs are
poorly looked after, they are apt to transmit diseases, and are
considered to be unhygienic. It is therefore quite common for
strict Muslims to refrain from touching dogs or bringing them
into their homes. However, when a dog is clean and trained for
hunting, Muslims are permitted to eat whatever animals or birds
it might catch for them.
     The religion of Islam supports human rights and advocates
kindness to the handicapped and the needy. Trainer dogs that
guide blind people perform a valuable service, and are usually
very well looked after, especially in Canada. In my opinion,
therefore, the taxi driver in question was wrong in refusing to
transport the blind person and his trainer dog. The rights of the
blind person are far more important than the driver's prejudices
against dogs.
     It is my belief that the rights of the handicapped should be
protected as much as possible, and I support your efforts to
serve that noble cause.
Tawfik Shahin
Imam (Minister) of the Ottawa Mosque
... FLOPPY DISK: Serious curvature of the spine
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