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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Muslim Pc refused to shake hands | Muslim Pc refused to shake hands |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Muslim woman police officer refused to shake hands with the head of the Metropolitan Police on faith grounds. | A Muslim woman police officer refused to shake hands with the head of the Metropolitan Police on faith grounds. |
| The officer, who has not been named, was granted the exemption at a passing-out ceremony where new recruits met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. | The officer, who has not been named, was granted the exemption at a passing-out ceremony where new recruits met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. |
| The woman's refusal was based on her view that her faith prevented her touching a man other than her husband or a close relative. | |
| Sir Ian had questioned the validity of her refusal, Scotland Yard said. | |
| If the officer is called to a male victim who has been shot, the laws go out of the window Sheikh Ibraham Mogra | If the officer is called to a male victim who has been shot, the laws go out of the window Sheikh Ibraham Mogra |
| A spokeswoman for the force said: "This request was only granted by members of training staff out of a desire to minimise any disruption to others' enjoyment and to ensure the smooth running of what is one of the most important events in an officer's career." | A spokeswoman for the force said: "This request was only granted by members of training staff out of a desire to minimise any disruption to others' enjoyment and to ensure the smooth running of what is one of the most important events in an officer's career." |
| She added: "The officer maintains that she puts the requirements of being a police officer above her personal beliefs and only exercises the latter when she has choice to do so. | She added: "The officer maintains that she puts the requirements of being a police officer above her personal beliefs and only exercises the latter when she has choice to do so. |
| "Any refusal to engage in this manner would not be tolerated by the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service)." | "Any refusal to engage in this manner would not be tolerated by the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service)." |
| Probationary period | Probationary period |
| The woman was allowed to pass out in December last year because she had completed all the elements of the 18-week recruit training course. | The woman was allowed to pass out in December last year because she had completed all the elements of the 18-week recruit training course. |
| This included officer safety training, which required officers to come into physical contact with each other. | This included officer safety training, which required officers to come into physical contact with each other. |
| The officer will now be required to complete a two-year probationary period. | The officer will now be required to complete a two-year probationary period. |
| Muslim groups defended the police officer, saying her beliefs would not affect how she carried out her job and called for greater understanding of different cultures. | Muslim groups defended the police officer, saying her beliefs would not affect how she carried out her job and called for greater understanding of different cultures. |
| Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission, said: "I don't think shaking hands is something that makes or breaks a relationship. | Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission, said: "I don't think shaking hands is something that makes or breaks a relationship. |
| "I don't think in any sort of job that is something that becomes an obstacle to one performing one's duties." | "I don't think in any sort of job that is something that becomes an obstacle to one performing one's duties." |
| 'Not set in concrete' | 'Not set in concrete' |
| Sheikh Ibraham Mogra, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said people should not be alarmed by the officer's beliefs and that Muslim law "was not set in concrete". | Sheikh Ibraham Mogra, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said people should not be alarmed by the officer's beliefs and that Muslim law "was not set in concrete". |
| He added: "If the officer is called to a male victim who has been shot, the laws go out of the window. | He added: "If the officer is called to a male victim who has been shot, the laws go out of the window. |
| "If she has to resuscitate that dying person, Muslim law will then change and allow her all sorts of physical contact because a life is at risk and life is so precious. | "If she has to resuscitate that dying person, Muslim law will then change and allow her all sorts of physical contact because a life is at risk and life is so precious. |
| "Muslim law will say, 'forget everything, save this life'." | "Muslim law will say, 'forget everything, save this life'." |