Muslim teacher refuses to shake hands with men [Netherlands]

expatica ^ | 8 September 2006

[ncountylee]

AMSTERDAM — A female Muslim teacher has been suspended by a school in Utrecht for refusing to shake hands with men.

The management at Vader Rijn College asked the Equality Commission to examine the case to confirm whether it had acted correctly. The school teaches pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO).

Newspaper 'AD' broke the story on Friday that the woman, who is not native Dutch, has been asked to stay at home after she decided on religious grounds not to shake hands with men ever again. The school feels this is unacceptable

School director Bart Engbers said the woman's decision had come as a total surprise. She has worked for a little over a year at the school and her objection to shaking hands with men comes at the start of the new school year.

"If she doesn't want to shake hands at home, fine. But everyone is welcome at this school. Discussion is great, but religious and political flag-waving must stay at home," Engbers said.

He said teachers had to set a good example. "We are preparing our boys and girls for the labour market. We all know how fragile the situation is for allochtone (non native Dutch) young people. Therefore it is good that they shake hands during a job interview. We believe that is important."

Moreover, refusing to shake hands with men is discrimination, the director said.

[ncountylee]

Always about their religion and customs. Good to see the Dutch stand up stand up for civility.

[freedumb2003]

"If she doesn't want to shake hands at home, fine. But everyone is welcome at this school. Discussion is great, but religious and political flag-waving must stay at home," Engbers said.

NTBKBi.

[oyez]

Sounds like there is a lesbian wing of Islam I have yet got hear about.

[The_Media_never_lie]

If she wants to live in the 7th century, she is in the wrong country anyway.

[Brad from Tennessee]

It sounds like many of the Dutch are reaching a low level of tolerance for militant Muslims. They need to start deporting those who refuse to assimilate. We need to do the same in the U.S.

[ItsForTheChildren]

Knowing the number of guys who leave the men's room without washing their hands... I'd rather not shake hands either, these days.

[TimSkalaBim]

The nullity of this non-issue is complete.

[Inge_CAV]

No TP where she comes from, just sand and your hand.

I do not want to shake hands with her either.

[Talking_Mouse]

NTBKBi

Naked Tribal Ballet, Kansas Branch, incorporated?
Nearly Tubular Barnacles Keeping Bracelets, innocently?

[upchuck]

WOW, a big Dutch BUMP!!

[Clara Lou]

They're such femmes fatales that just a touch drives men wild. Who knew?

[Old Seadog]

I don't know. It seems we do not want them imposing their beliefs on us and yet we get opset if they want to practice their own beleifs on themselves. It this not shaking hands with men is truly a religious thing, then she ought to be able to practice it. IMHO

[Fiddlstix]

AMSTERDAM — A female Muslim teacher has been suspended by a school in Utrecht.....

Good!

[battlegearboat]

Purell is de rigeur in my life.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Good for the Dutch.

[varyouga]

I just don't see refusing to shake hands as a reason to fire someone. If this is the worst problem that the school could come up with, this situation is a real example of discrimination.

Sorry if this gets me flamed. I just don't see the reasoning.

[The KG9 Kid]

Hit the road, toad. Pack your can for Pakistan.

[KantianBurke]

Hasidic Jews practice the same bit of 7th century religious nonsense. Depending on the sect, some of the MEN aren't allowed to talk to non Jewish women let alone shake hands with them.