ST. PAUL, Minn., May 13 CAIR-MN-service-dogs
ST. PAUL, Minn., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today expressed support of a St. Cloud State University student's right to a service dog after that student reportedly left the school in late April because he says he feared for the safety of the animal.
SEE: SCSU Student Leaves Training at Technical High School
http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080512/NEWS01/105120058/1009
"The moral and legal need to accommodate individuals using service dogs far outweighs the discomfort an individual Muslim might feel about coming into contact with a dog, which is one of God's creatures," said CAIR-MN Communications Director Valerie Shirley.
Muslims believe the saliva of dogs invalidates the ritual ablution performed before prayer. For this reason, it has become a cultural norm for individuals not to have dogs in their houses -- not because the dog is unclean.
The Prophet Muhammad allowed the use of dogs for protection and for hunting. He related several traditions (hadith) in which individuals were rewarded by God for protecting animals and punished for mistreating them.
Shirley mentioned that in 2007, a similar misunderstanding took place between Minneapolis cab drivers and passengers with guide dogs.
After CAIR-MN facilitated dialogue between the two groups and cleared the misunderstanding, the Muslim taxi drivers offered free rides to attendees of the American Council of the Blind Convention in downtown Minneapolis.
Abdinoor Ahmed Dolal, owner of Twin Cities Airport Taxi, said "Islam forbids us to turn away a blind passenger, whether they have a guide dog or not. Their rights come first."
CAIR-MN says it will continue to work with the Muslim community in Minnesota to educate them about their Islamic and legal duty to accommodate those using service or guide dogs.
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR-MN Communications Director Valerie Shirley, Tel: 763-226-5866, E-Mail: valerie.shirley@gmail.com; CAIR-MN Chair Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, lsaroya@cair.com
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations
