Saudi Forklift Driver sues Tesco
Muslim sues Tesco over alcohol
Last Updated: Sunday, 28 September 2008, 03:00 GM
A Muslim said he is suing Tesco for religious discrimination because he was asked to handle crates of alcohol in a warehouse.
Mohammed Ahmed, 32, was employed at the supermarket giant's Lichfield depot in September last year for a job that included transporting various goods on fork-lift trucks.
The Saudi Arabia national told a tribunal he had not been told when he started the job that he would be handling alcoholic drinks - a task he said was against his Islamic beliefs.
The situation came to a head in the run-up to Christmas last year, when more alcohol was ferried to the warehouse in preparation for the festive season.
Mr Ahmed, who moved to Derby in 2006, complained to Tesco in February, but claims he was treated unfairly as a result. After eight months working for the company, he left in protest.
The decision on his legal action, after a three-day employment tribunal held in Birmingham, is expected next week.
He said: "It's in our religion that we are not allowed to handle alcohol. In the UK there's equal opportunities that should protect me and my beliefs.
"I was asking for my rights. I am not saying I am a perfect person but there was a conflict with my beliefs."
Tesco claimed Mr Ahmed was made aware at his induction that he would be handling alcohol, and that every effort was made to find him an alternative role in the warehouse. But the claimant, of Upper Dale Road, Normanton, claims he was victimised by managers because of his stance.
A Tesco spokesman said: "Cases like this are very rare as managers are trained to be culturally sensitive and have an 'open door policy' to staff for issues like this as everyone is welcome to work at Tesco."
HOW SILLY OF A GUY WHO WENT TO WORK IN A COUNTRY WHERE ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED AND WORKS FOR A COMPANY THAT BUYS AND SELLS ALCOHOL AND COULD NOT FORESEE THE CARRYING OF CRATES OF ALCOHOL ON FORKLIFTS....
I WORKED FOR TESCO AS A PACKER IN THE PAST AND I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I TOLD EVERYTHING THAT I OUGHT TO KNOW, AS A MUSLIM, AT THE INDUCTION AND WAS OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK ALL MY QUESTIONS OR RAISE ALL MY CONCERNS AT THE INTERVIEW...POOR GUY, HOW COULD HE HAVE MISSED THAT OPPORTUNITY???
"In the UK there's equal opportunities that should protect me and my beliefs".
What a nerve!
Remind him of that when he's back home in Saudi and condoning the laws there which disallow other people's beliefs in his own country. :P
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
aol.co.uk...i found it there on the 29th sept.
...that this case is still ongoing...
...or your signature clip!
:/
for those Brits on the site who are "in the know" for want of a better phrase. He will most likely win...
I never left my country, it left me...
Wow, he reminds of the idiots who cry about why they can't eat publicly during ramadan.
Mabye he is half Saudi half Scouser that may explain it!
The guide to trying to get compo....Play the religion card!
Which book would you like throwing at him? mmmm? ;)
Forklift truck driving for girls?
How do make your own easter egg?
Girls' hair styles?
or the Tesco employees handbook?
or another one?
He's on to a good thing, but his actions do more harm to Muslims all over. I hope the Judge throws the book at him..
This forklift fools story is on the daily mail website.....the comments are fabulous......forking idiot...
mmmm, the morgue, sounds good!!!.....It was ethically motivated, its not ethical for a nurse to touch patients......didn't wash with the judge...
SN, they could easily afford that because it was not "religiously" motivated. But ...
There are alternatives. I have a brother who is a doctor and he hates patients too. That's why he is an Anaethesatist. He only has to deal with them while they are asleep. Or you could try pathology or the morgue and just work with dead patients. Far less trouble.
Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about
I tried it with the NHS, I didn't like handling patients...ofcourse it was thrown out of court!
I also filed a case against the German Air Force when they forced me to wear weapons which is against my conviction. My case was rejected.
Blimey do you think he had to move Easter Eggs?
that must have been traumatic .....imagine all those Easter bunnies and little yellow chicks and tin foil and chocolate ....oh dear.
and nicely stated. I completely agree with you and like your argument. Its nice to see intelligent well written comment on QL. Unfortunately, its becoming increasingly rare.
Amnsesia is also right. I would like to know what paper that article came from. There is no doubt that the Saudi guy is a trouble maker but so is the newspaper in choosing a headline like that.
Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about
@nidge, we are not supposed to promote sins. Drinking is haram. Handeling alcohol, to some, is considered openly being an intermediary and passing on the alcohol.
Some care, some don't.
Anyway, he has no case, he CHOSE to work in Tesco and knew that they sold alcohol. He cannot ask for any priority. The work place has to be a fair and level playing field.
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Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.
I admire him immensely imagine everything he has had to put up with:
pork scratchings
unveiled women
pork pies
women driving...maybe even forklifts
cinemas
men and women mixing
birthday cards
valentines day
christmas decorations
churches in the street
jews!!!!
Budhist temples
Hindu temples
pornography
walking past a pub
people going to discos
public displays of affection
tatoo parlours
oh the list is endless
He should go and sue the whole UK government for offending his religious beliefs.... or go live in Khandahar.
Did he win? Did he??? :)
he's happy moving bacon and pork within the warehouse.
This guy comes to the UK and claims his religeon bans him from handling alcohol, does it actually state that in the Quran that handling alcohol is not allowed or is this guy making it up? Drinking I can understand but handling it... come on, give me a break!!
In the name of animal rights I find the whole idea of Halal preperation of food offensive and cruel to the animal, cutting the throat of the said animal while it is concious and allowing it to bleed to death. However as I am living in an islamic country I try to live by its traditions and therefore accept this.... or maybe I should sue for having to shop in a supermarket who supply Halal meat??
Nidge
Maza...do you really give that much of a toss to write such a long spiel?...I personally don't..
Knowing the UK courts and the 'yuman rites' brigade he will probably win and get a fortune.
Imagine a European going to court in Saudi over halal beef or some other ridiculous thing.
People need to accept that when they leave thier own country and go somewhere else to live and work that things are different and stop playing the race and religon card.
I've got nothing particular against anyone's religon but this is just another case of these guys creating a bad press for themselves.
just eat another pie
The title's of news articles always annoy me
Why is "Muslim sues Tesco" not "Saudi Muslim sues Tesco" or "Man sues Tesco over Religious differences".
You don't see "Christian steals tv" or "Christian died in an accident yesterday" lol
Anyway, he's an idiot. He's NOT being discriminated against because he's being treated like every other employee.
Nobody will boycott anything.
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Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.
Let not jump to generalisations. Tesco will not stop employing muslims becuase of this...it will do them more damage and get them legal hot water....plus i don't think the UK has declined to that level of discrimination yet....
As for the insinuation that "the guy has no chance against a big company like Tesco" is disturbing. What are you trying to say," That tribunals favour large companies" or that "money" can buy you justice in the UK?
As for the other statement 'Best go to a country that doesn't sell alocohol then" again demonstrates a level of ignorance rarely witnessed. What about the indigenous muslims born and raised in UK or all those converts to Islam? where should they go?
Do you know the jews in the UK ensure that many ingredients that go into many medicinal products sold in the UK are certified Kosher? The large companies accomdate this request becuase it is in their interests. Likewise making provisions for a diverse workforce is also in the benefit of Tescos...imagine all the 2 million plus muslims boycotting Tesco and shopping at Sainsburys instead...you do the maths!
yeah, and now bcoz of his guy they will not want to employ Muslims anymore, the ones working in the company already will be laughed at and treated in a bad way and people will turn the whole thing in their own way.
this is how easily u can mess sth up.
...road to hell is paved with so called good intentions.
If you're looking for a problem, you're probably gonna find one.
Best go to a country that doesn't sell alcohol then.....
after 8 months?
i say he wants to sue them just for money! ...haram...
If you're looking for a problem, you're probably gonna find one.
muslims should not work for employers who deal in alcohol at the first place ... it is not about whether the job requires him to handle alcohol or not ...
as there is doubt that part of his income comes out of sales of alcohol ... so knowing all that he should have not accepted a job from the first place ..
"The best way to predict the future is to create it".
What a bloody fool, he's just after money its obvious...hope he doesn't get a penny....this is ridiculous! How dare he! He doesn't stand a chance against a massive company like Tescos....
That way I can decide on the credibility of the article.
Thanks