Once again Sainsbury''s are putting their staffs wacky ideas before their customers. If these zealots do not like the idea of alcohol WHY did they take the job in the first place???. They must have signed a contract of employment, it should be enforced.

Peter Robinson, Leicester, ENGLAND (not India)

Some of us 'indigenous' people have had enough of GB being destroyed by over-enthusiastic 'political correctness' . So we've departed the miserable shores of the UK and set up happy homes elsewhere where we don't have put up with this 'religious' nonsense. Get real Sainsurys and GB government.

Annie, Biarritz, France

I cannot believe the negativity amongs the comments which have been written. If sainsbury's doesnt have a PROBLEM with it, then why should anyone else!!
If you ask any sincere muslim scholar (NOT MCB), they will say that the touching or drinking of alcohol is forbidden in islam!

Ali, London, UK

I don't see all the fuss, if a worker at Sainsbury's does not want to handle alcohol and Sainsbury's are ok with allowing that then what is the problem of other people?.

Its not all muslims because,there are many muslims all over the country who work in supermarkets, on checkouts handling alcohol.I think it come's down to personal belief and opinion.I think every one should get over it, it's not that a bigger deal you still get your alcohol.

Tasmiah, Halifax, UK

this country needs to start respecting its own ,Great Britain????????????? what a joke

john smith, bangor, uk

Er, Kati of Staffs. What muslim countries produce crack cocaine?

Jason404, London, UK

Ironic isn't it - the muslim nations that decry alcohol use are the biggest producers of heroine and crack cocaine...

kati, Staffs, UK

i think this is absolute crackers they know what the job is before they take it on selling to the public demands does that mean iam catholic so icant sell condom this country is going MAD.

sharon irvine, manchester, lanc

In response to the remarks by Nashir Tahir I think he is barking up the wrong tree, nobody is forcing Muslims to consume alcohol & neither would we expect too. To compare this with forcing Jews to eat non kosher meat is stupid if Muslims were being forced to eat pork then that would be a good comparison to this example, what they are being asked to do however is to do the job, nobody is saying they are lazy but it does take time up and can be difficult for companies to be able to provide people to do part a part of the job that Muslims should be able to do, to put it simply do not sign up for a job that goes against your beliefs, many Jews will not. If only we could all refuse to do a part of a job that we didn't believe in then it would be a great job. If people want equality then they need to do the same thing as their colleagues, there are some people regardless of faith who will attempt to get away with certain things and the Muslim council need to set clear guidelines for employer

wayne, Newport, Gwent

Asalams Aleykum to all Muslim out there,
ALLAH (SWT) say DO NOT HELP IN HURTING PEOPLE'S HEALTH. which involves alcohol, the Muslim of Sainsbury are only obeying ALLAH, pls respect them for that
Masalam

amy, Crawley, London

We live in a multicultural society where EVERYONE has rights. Muslims refusing to sell alcohol does not mean they are lazy - they are doing other things instead and are still working. By the standards of everyone here, Jehovah's Witnesses should be forced to give blood or be outcast and the Jewish community should be made to eat non kosher meat or be branded as 'mad'......I think not! No harm is being done, and if it wasn't for ethnic minorities Britain would have a huge shortage of doctors, accountants, taxi drivers, grocery stores / workers and many other hard workers who we have come to rely on. Grow up and ride the wave of change rather than drown in it!

Nasir Tahir, Watford,

Been looking at alternatives for my shopping.
I understand Tescos and Asda are supporting British food producersw look fhe British flag on their Produce or ask their customer services.

Adrian Peirson, Luton, UK Beds

"There is a great harm in alcohol and gambling. There is some benefit but the harm is much greater." - Quran

Fear Allah. Do not help in hurting people's health. Does not Allah know what He created. Do not disobey Him.

Is this how your thankful to Allah for giving you a mind and body.
If He took away your good health, who could bring it back?

osama, houston, tx

Hold on...what is it with you people...why does it bother you so much that muslims dont want to handle alcohol?? as long as your getting your shopping done, whats the problem...and as for sainsbury's, they are trying to meet and respect their employers needs and wishes...its not affecting anyones statutory rights....people just open your eyes to bigger issues around the world rather than focusing on small petty things...peace

Rumana, London

Rumana, London,

This is an absurd state of affairs, but I must say, I am not at all surprised it has come to this. With supermarket staff refusing to sell customers alcohol, doctors refusing to learn about sexually transmitted diseases and chemists refusing to sell condoms, the country will be in a dire state. It is, of course, the result of political correctness gone mad, but more importantly, we must consider the principle of the matter - why should people employed by taxpayers, as in the case of doctors, or simply those paid to provide a service to all, be in a position to refuse to carry out their responsibilities properly, irregardless of religion, belief, or any other factor.

Liam, Cambridge,

I have just had a thought "IF" Muslims are refusing to serve alcohol to the public does that mean all the Muslim owned/run off license shop’s be doing the same…

I think not !

Paul, Lancashire, UK

I will be informing Sainsbury's that my £140 weekly bill will now be going to one of its competitors. This is PC gone barmy. Will Muslims not be handling bacon and pork pies in future. Can a teetotaller refuse to handle alcohol? Come on Sainsburys - get real!

J Fisher, Skipton,

Whatever the merits of this story, it has incensed me and everyone I have spoken to about it. I will not be using the store again. I suspect this is the thin end of a PC wedge. It has got to stop. When will Britain be reclaimed as a ensible country, where majority rights prevail? not under Nu Labour methinks.

Jim , Leeds, UK

Has anyone considered a picket of Sainsbury's as a way of protesting against this insanity?

Magnus Nielsen, London , UK

I note the comments and attitudes of sainsburys, in respect of the sale of legitimate items from their store, namely alcohol and the handling of such, by staff members who have objected on religious grounds.
As an indiginous member of british society I have become thoroughly disillusioned with the general trends of the development of our society. Indeed this ludicrous example has become for me the final straw that breaks the camels' back, and in any forthcoming elections I will be voting for the far right who seem to be the only people listening to the average british person!!!

Louise , Swansea, South Wales, UK

Can alcoholics opt-out of being served by Muslims?

EB, Slough,

This is PC bonkers. Do vegetarians no longer have to sell meat in Sainsburys?
Can Chritian Scientists refuse to handle Rennies?
If it is too awful to touch a bottle that contains something you don't like perhaps a supermarket is not the right place to be working.

Aldam, Rural, Northumberland

I'm a Pastafarian. If I take my belief in the Flying Spaghetti Monster (may He touch you with His Noodly Appendage) too far will I be excused from serving all pasta, tomato sauce and meatball products if I worked for Sainsburys?

There should be no discrimination between a Muslim and a Pastafarian.

Russ, Reading, UK

Well, I have written to Sainsburys and told them why I will no longer shop there, and I hope that millions of others do too.
It's likely the fact that because I am not a Muslim, my email will be ignored. Still, they will no longer get a penny from me. Tesco, here I come!

Izzy, truro,

I am thinking of applying for a job as a wine-taster at sainsbury's. I shall then become radical. sainsbury's will have to pay me for doing nothing or risk offending moslem sensibilities. foolproof. I reckon I could probably handle two or more jobs like this.

jem, london, uk

This politically-correct appeasement to extremism disgusts me and I vow never to shop at sainsbury's until the policy is reversed. I have written to the company to tell them my view and I urge you all to do likewise. Steve Cook, London

steve, london,

What next? Muslim fireman not rescuing drunks and Jews from burning buildings?

Torboy69, colchester, uk

Please write to express your disgust at this policy and spreading the boycott.
Write to Lord Sainsbury via
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_sainsbury_of_preston_candover

and write to the investors department at investor.relations2@sainsburys.co.uk

Steve, London

steve, london,

I commend the response of Mr Siddiqui, and regard Sainsbury's behaviour as ridiculous. If one has personal ethical or moral objections to selling a legal product, one should not work in that shop. If i shop in a supermarket I do not want the staff acting as moral arbiters of my purchases, nor do I want the embarrassment of another member of staff having to take over and thus draw attention to my shopping, whatever it is. Where will this stop - Jewish staff refusing to sell bacon, vegetarians refusing to sell meat at all? I will not shop in my local Sainsbury's if this is confirmed as their attitude.

Deborah, Buckinghamshire, UK

In Denmark ths approach is having problems. A small country it cannot afford to pander - to cite just one instance to femal doctors (trained at the state's expense) who refuse to take care of male patients -, etc, etc.

helen, Norwich,

This is so ridiculous!! Anyone remember the BA worker sacked for wearing a cross pendant?? this is definitely a sign of what the words "ethnic minority" really means in modern day England!

David, London, UK

it seems that religion is important at times but is ignored when required.
if all people decided thier own intepretation of what thier individual faiths allowed & forbade the country would stop in it's tracks.
it's about time immigrants to this and whatever country they decide to settle in realised that they are really not entitled to turn that country into the one they left behind.
once it is accepted that religion is an excuse for an opt out for whatever reason this will snowball to a situation where anything can be considered against " beliefs" and used as an excuse for almost anything.
if selling or handling alcohol inside it's container is considered against anyones religion it must surely follow that anyone who consumes alcohol should probably not be served at all.
it's about time these people decided where thier bread is buttered, & stopped condemning the natives way of life, or simply go home or to wherever they feel thier beliefs will not be offended in any way.

k sexton, hull, yorkshire

Could I suggest that everyone does what I intend to do: Buy a single bottle or can at a time and each time, aim for an apparently muslim checkout, maybe with a pack of bacon at the same time. If we all did this, I think Sainsbury's and the awkward squad would soon have a rethink.

Pete, Luton, UK

We have two choices
1) do not shop at Sainsburys
2) complain to Sainsburys about their infringement of our
human rights - their check out operators are discriminating against alcohol purchasers.

Bill, Sheffield, England

Don't shop at Sainsbury's people!! A significant drop in sales is how you'll get them to change. Come on UK! This Yank is sorry to see that the best cousin the US could ever have is going out with a whimper. You used to be a rock. Find your spine friends.

Andy J, Oregon, USA,

Dear Paul S of London
Are you not a little concerned that out of 81 emails your email is the only one that disagrees with me? It would appear that your "sought" of thinking is a "relic of the past" and that my "sought"
(you are obviously a victim of the modern British educational system) is at the leading edge of modern political thought.Hope to hear from you soon.
Kind regards

paul ingleton, brisbane,

This behaviour of the Sainsbury's management is beyond satire.

In discriminating in favour of this person's 'unusual' views the management are being totally racist, as they would not accept this behavoiur from any other race, group or belief system.

Brian Vallance, LEFKIMMI, Hellas

Allowing staff to swap over at the tills for short periods does not protect innocent staff from suspicion of till theft. The practice is bad for shareholders and worse for honest staff. That's multiculturalism for you: jungle rules.

Philiippa Pirie, London, england

Selling alcohol used for intoxication is what many muslims object to and not to alcohol in medicine, perfume etc.

Rehman Khalid, NY, U.S.A.

Tesco are no better. I used to work there and they would pander to the overweight staff by allowing them to refuse to sell or handle salads or other health products if they so wished.

Rod Munch, Northampton, UK

Does this idiot realise how much damage his stupidity has caused his employers here? Words like cut off the hand that feeds you comes to mind.

Sainsburys has gone downhill anyway and it's given me the excuse to shop at Asda and save myself £30 a week without looking like a cheapskate!

Thanks again!

Phil C, London, UK

I think you're all missing the point. Sainsbury's is a publicly listed company and furthermore has no obligation to do this. It's up to them if they think they can afford the hassle and none of our business. You don't like them doing this? Fine, shop somewhere else, it's a free market. Additionally, stop making out that this is some kind of nationwide phenomenon. They only have themselves to blame.

Ben, London, UK

I have just emailed Sainsbury's to tell them I am boycotting their supermarkets forthwith. If I wanted to abide by Muslim laws, I would emigrate to an Islamic country.

Paul G, York, England

Sainsbury’s are being good to them maybe because not many people would want to do checkout and stacking shelves jobs?

Burton, Stamford, Uk

Sainsbury's may be obeying the wishes of their legal and/or human resources departments, but this is another glaring example of common sense being replaced by political correctness. I wonder what Sainsbury's non-Muslim employees have to say about this?

David, Manchester,

I can tolerate Muslims having a conscience about drinking alcohol, and it's a tribute to British tolerance that employers accommodate them. But if a Christian objects to working on Sundays, it's a cert he'll get his P45.

Michael Petek, Brighton,

This is supposed to be a Christian country. I support any sensible policy to help the integration of other beliefs, but not when it means this sort of stupid decision.

What about the customer who has bought an alcoholic product and is in a hurry to complete the purchase? If I had to wait for a new cashier to take over I would be inclined to walk out and leave my proposed purchases on the conveyor belt.

Would Salisbury's be happy to have only Muslim customers? That's what will happen if they persist in this nonsense.

John Worth, Stourbridge, West Midlands

What next, will they refuse to serve non-Muslims, or refuse to serve women not in hijab? This is a thin end of the wedge towards more segregation in my view.

Charles, Bath, UK

More creeping sharia.

I wonder if Sainsburys would let their checkout operators refuse to handle halal meat if they disagreed with the barbaric way which the animal is slaughtered?

Mike M, Leicester,

The day it happens to me is the last day I go to Sainsburys. Nothing to do with race, religion or alcohol just common sense, demands like this have no end. If the perpetrators dont like the sale of alcohol, cigarettes or animal products just go and work where it doesnt take place. The mindset that others should change their ways for you has to be confronted not encouraged.

mike gee, bournemouth, uk

I’d urge anyone who has the time to read what Enoch Powell said in April 1968. That’s NINETEEN SIXTY EIGHT, not to shy of forty years ago!

www.sterlingtimes.org/powell_speech.doc

For those that don’t have the time I’d like to quote a few lines;

“The Sikh communities” campaign to maintain customs inappropriate in Great Britain is much to be regretted. Working in Britain, particularly in the public services, they should be prepared to accept and terms and conditions of their employment. To claim special communal rights (or should that be rites?) leads to a dangerous fragmentation within society. This communalism is a canker: whether practiced by one colour or another it is to be strongly condemned.

John Stonehouse; Labour MP February 1968

I'll quote one more, only allowed 1000 characters at a time.

Angry Allison, Gateshead,

No doubt this will extend to Pork products as well

Pita, Hastings,

does that mean if you are a 'veggie' or vegan you don't handle meat products?

what about products with trace alcohol eg: mouthwash, deodarants etc, do they refuse to handle or USE them?

sat, coventry

satnam maman, coventry, uk

This is wonderful news for all orthodox Christians and extremely welcomed and I hope that the move extends in all places of work all over Britain, even the world. Those of us who find that they commit aldultery in their hearts on a regular basis will never have to work again (37th time and counting that I have raised my hand to be excused from duties this morning already - new temporary secretary is a stunner!)

Paul S. Webb, Alicante, Spain

I suppose if these Muslims are unwilling to handle alcohol at the checkout lane, or stack it on the shelves, then they can fill the position of mopping the floors. There's no religious objection to that, right?

Or can they simply make up a religious excuse to get out of other work, too?

Rich, Chicago, USA

Boycott the supermarket until they get back on track.

I have to put (see) up with Muslim women totally blacked out here in Preston - absolutely barbaric

Point to me where it says in their Koran that they are forbidden
from handling alcohol in Sainsburys.


Offer them an alternative job - cleaning the floors. Sack them if they refuse.

Phil, Preston,

Send Them To Saudia Arabia or Iraq !

Bob, London, UK

That's sad- Britain will be a muslim state in a few decades... Why can't you defend your own values???

Marco D Davids, San Francisco, USA

its a PERSONAL veiw not one for the whole religion as is clearly stated in the article, don't blow this out of proportion.
Someone REQUESTED not to work with alcohol and the company said they will help - why is this a big deal?

sean ryan, London, UK

If the Muslim employees can't handle doing part of their job and require other employees to cover for them, shouldn't they forfeit part of their pay?

Joey, Trenton, USA, New Jersey

I am wondering if the same courtesy is extended to Christians or people of any other religion, who do not feel comfortable handling liquor? Or is this just another instance of pandering to Muslims?

Jackie, Royal Oak, USA

this is completely idiotic. it's TREASON. it's a crime.
muslims should not have such rights. full stop. i don't care what anyone else says.. they shouldn't. too much allowance is being made for them and it needs to stop.

john, london,

This is absolutely ridiculous. Their employment does not require them to consume those food and beverages that are forbidden by their laws, all they are required to do is scan them and put them in a carrier bag.
Where do we go from here? Should a Muslim taxi driver be able to refuse to transport a passenger from an airport if that passenger is carrying duty free alcohol? Or what if the passenger is a homosexual, can the Muslim taxi driver refuse carriage? What about at the checkout, can the Muslim cashier refuse to serve a homosexual, or refuse to serve a Christian Priest for that matter?

Robert Hollis, Barnet,

I for one won't be shopping at Sainsburys again as I refuse to directly fund dark age religious dogma.

James, Birmingham, England

Another sad example of the PC Chamberlain school of appeasement and grovelling. SAINSBURYS - YOU ARE A JOKE!!!!! Even senior muslims can see the stupidity of the situation.

Sheikh Rattle 'n' Roll, Landkey, England

these people who do this are lying im a muslim i know you cant drink alchol but you can touch it because its in a bottle in our religion it does not say u cant handle it it just says you can buy it, they are just doing this to get some attention

ali, london, london

These people are breaking their contract of employment by refusing to undertake a task that is a reasonable part of their job and ultimately they should be dismissed if they continue. Alternatively they should leave the company and find employment more compatible with their religious beliefs. They should realise that muslim law has no force in this country and their leaders should remind them of that.

Miles Taylor, Kendal, Cumbria

Brussels police are being made to fast during ramadan these guys are not muslim!
All i can say is, what a bunch of dhimmis they are, i feel exactly the same when our police take baskets of food to muslim centres at sundown!
We shall deserve all we get if we don't put a stop to this nonsense at once.
Remember most middle eastern countries were once Christian so it can happen here also.
Dhimmitude creeps up very slowly on a population be warned!
I'd not work with meat but then i'm a vegetarian i'd not expect the supermarket to pandor to me it's my choice to reject meat.
Political islam is behind this more fool Sainsbury there's plenty places to shop i for one won't enter the store now!

veronica, Doncaster., England

As a UK born asian, this country gave my family a home after we were exiled from Uganda. I'm proud to call myself British, but a tiny minority of zealouts, who are pandered to by the pc brigade are destroying the social cohension we have here. Leave religion at home and if you feel that strongly about it, which i fully respect, get another job.

Vickram, London, UK

Here in the U.S. we've had incidents of cabbies refusing to pick up blind people with seeing eye dogs or those carrying alcohol in from duty free shops. Some retail clerks have also refused to check out patrons with pork or alcohol products. Airports and universities are installing foot baths to accomodate a very small percentage. I do believe that if I were considering immigrating to another country I would first check out their culture and social environment. To complain afterwards and claim injustice if your needs are not met is insanity of the first order. What can you say though when our elected authorities do change the rules to suit them?

Neicee, Dallas, TX/USA

If I refused to handle Halal meat for muslims because i'm vegitarian I think I would be disiplined.

Bob, Aberdeen,

So what next? Vegetarian check out staff refusing to handle meat, or worse still, refusing to handle cans of SPAM?

Rece Porter, DeBary, Florida USA

Sir,
Oh my G*d, the Heavens are falling!

Is it the silly season again? One Muslim worker is integrated, as opposed to assimilated, by the tolerant policies of his company, and the hysterical mob wants blood. I assume that those that want this young man sacked will be more than happy to pay for his period of unemployment.

Onward ho to the G*dless Communist Utopia comrades.

SC, London, United Kingdom

I see the story about Pakistani pimps grooming under-aged white girls in northern towns, the fear of parents, the inaction of police and the movement of people to escape the threat remained on the site for about 24 hours.

It was perhaps brave of The Times to report the issue but this kind of guerilla, hit and run journalism will not undermine such huge liberal conspiracy.

The press has a responsibility to reveal to the world what is happening and thereby put pressure on the relevant parties.

Politically correct reporting feeds hatred and resentment and makes criminals feel invincible - in the UK, the US, South Africa and across the globe.

Newspapers need to take a little more seriously
the fact that their inaction (as well as their action) costs lives and starts wars.

It was reporting that put the ANC in power, it is a lack of reporting that is allowing South Africa to slowly disintegrate.

Attitudes taking root in northern England may shape our own history.

Eugene, Chester, England

Think I'll try and buy a bottle of beer shampoo in Sainsbury tomorrow and see if that causes any panic at the checkout.

Rick, London, England

doesnt stop muslim shop keepers though

C robb, na, na

I'm sorry but I think everyone should calm down!
Boycott Sainsbury? What ever for? This is one employee in one branch. Does it affect customers? No it doesn't. They are still served.
Personally I view it as progressive and accommodating of Sainbury. It's their company policy so why not. Retailers have a hard enough time recruiting the right staff to cover the hours available and if some of the staff cannot do some of the job or part of it because of reasons of religion e.g not working on Sundays due to 'other' commitments or not working on the meat counter because of being a vegetarian then why not rota on someone who can and will.
If this chap in the article is taking his religious beliefs to the extreme then that is for him to decide, and the rest of us should applaud Sainsbury for their ethic towards their, obviously valued, staff.

Tessa, Bristol, UK

im sure Mustapha, the Muslim checkout worker is more than happy to accept the wage packet handed to him, which is, in part made of profit from the sale of alcohol.. .. get a grip and give the job to someone who deserves it.

jules, Gillingham, Dorset

I haven't heard anything so ridiculous in a long time. Its up to the individual to know what the job entails before applying or accepting the position. If you are not willing to carry out the duties the job entails, do not apply. Its as simple as that.

The time we stop bending the rules to suit certain individuals in this country is LONG overdue.

Matt, Redditch,

When was the last time you heard of a muslim country bending over backwards for its christian inhabitants or for that fact donating foreign aid??

Benjamin, London,

Could anyone explain why Afghanistan as a moslem country grows opium poppies on a colossal scale. Does this not imply there are very few real moslems in Afghanistan. Or is there some sort of reverse fatwa in operation that allows opium but not alcohol?

Brian Lewis, Manila, Philippines

I find it amazing that nobody stands up and says enough is enough. Where is it going to go next? Basically, if I didn't want to touch bottles of alcohol in a supermarket then I would find a more suitable job. I think Sainsbury's needs to be prepared for a lot of people boycotting their stores as it is the most rediculous statement I have heard in a long time. Can I ask what would happen if a Sainsbury's store has only muslim staff working in it, what would happen if I wanted to buy a bottle of alcohol as nobody will touch it???

Richard Deamer, London, UK

Actually, this is not as stupid as the Scottish hospital policy of asking non-muslim staff to not eat in front of their Muslim co-workers during Ramadan.

Seriously. This has been reported in the Times several months ago.

Surely Muslims themselves realize that all this idiocy is creating HUGE resentment against them. Where are the sensible voices?

Michael, Windsor, Canada

It's a very progressive decision by Sainsbury and a good step in the right direction for harmony between muslims and non-muslims. I also appreciate the efforts Britain has made in providing halal meats to schools, ensuring that toilets in council houses don't face Mecca and providing separate swimming times in public pools. We also really need footbaths for prayer time in public facilities but we will wait a bit before asking for that.

abdullah, Croydon,, UK

I'm hoping the above is a joke. In this day and age I'm not sure.

Johnny, Wales,

Honestly, Sainsbury must be in the pay of the BNP. Are they TRYING to make Muslims even more unpopulat in this country than they already are? Swimming pool managers must be in the BNP as well, for the same reason, with all this rubbish about giving Muslim women separate swimming sessions.

jane scott, London , UK

So next time a Muslim woman or girl wants to buy a scarf in my shop, do I have a right to refuse to serve them as they may use it to cover their heads. Something which I find prejudicial to women as a fully paid up atheist?

Jillita, Lewisham, UK

Surely this problem can be best avoided by muslims not working in any shop which sells alcohol.

John Gentle, Birmingham,

Has anyone paid Sainsbury's CONTACT US page a visit?
If this many have felt compelled to comment here, perhaps Sainsbury's itself would be a good place to voice your thoughts.....

http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/furniture/contactus/contactus.htm

Chris Wood, Manchester,

The widespread supine PC behaviour of which this Sainsbury's incident is an example is a by-product of the anti-Christian "Kulturkampf" which has been waged by the "wise men of our age" for over a century now.

Robert H. Olley, Reading, Berks, England

Taking religion out of it for a moment, if you cannot do your job, should you be doing that job? Probably not.

Putting religion back into it. I wonder whether an English man in Pakistan would be afforded the same level of tollerance by his employer under similar circumstances?

julian, Birmingham, UK

BOYCOTT SAINSBURYS.

this is an insult to customers.

simon tolbeck, london, uk

I dread to think what will happen if a Muslim steals from the till.
Will Sainsbury's cut their hand off?

Anthony, London, U.K.

It is interesting that Sainsbury's have allowed him not to do his job.

I think a lot of people will be targeting Asian check out people in the hope that they will refuse to check out the wine bottles.

I suspect if it keeps happening Sainsburys may change their mind.

ETR

Eric Staines, Halifax , UK

I think the checkout staff's objections are petty, but reasonable if their employer is willing to accomodate it without inconveniencing the customers.

What bothers me more is that if this becomes common practice, all retailers wil become legally obliged to accomodate any Muslim staff in the same way which will makeMuslims less employable and appear more awkward.

Tim, Auckland, New Zealand

I am lost for words! This takes the biscuit – what next? Are these employees ignorant or being disruptive on purpose? Does this mean that they will refuse medical treatment/ surgery if for instance the surgery involves the use of surgical alcohol? Now we must train to become mind readers – how else can we tell? Unless of course they carry placards! I wish the government did something to stop this nonsense from spreading – what next? This PC business is now getting out of control!

Pradeep, London,

Anyone who has been to an Islamic wedding will know that the tables are full of alcohol!! Not just wine either, Gin, Vodka, Bacardi,Whisky alternating down the tables!

Glynis Jones, Birmingham, England

Will Catholics get an opt out from handling contraceptives? What about Vegans getting an opt out for touching packaged meat or dairy products?

Will Hindus get an opt out for handling beef or Jews & Muslims an opt out for touching Black pudding and pork chops?

Sorry I can't think of any more silly questions.

A Thomas, Durham,

It's a very progressive decision by Sainsbury and a good step in the right direction for harmony between muslims and non-muslims. I also appreciate the efforts Britain has made in providing halal meats to schools, ensuring that toilets in council houses don't face Mecca and providing separate swimming times in public pools. We also really need footbaths for prayer time in public facilities but we will wait a bit before asking for that.

abdullah, Croydon,, UK

Would they go out of their way to accommodate Christians? I doubt it! The UK will soon be an Islamic Republic

Geno, Charlotte, NC USA

I am just curious,

what about perfume, and Listerine Mouth wash, both of these contain alcohol, will he not touch them too?

Steve, london,

I think its daft! Theres a difference between drinking and selling alcohol!

Jodie, Bolton,

im sorry this is all wrong if you cant take the heat then get out of the kitchen, when is all this rubbish going to stop thenext thing for this person will be i dont want to handle pork or pork products,if you cant do the job then find your self a job that fits in with your religous beliefs.

john rasmussen, cardiff, uk

That is so wrong it's just crazy. Just give the job to someone who wants it instead. If I were empoying people, I would seriously NOT hire persons who don't wish to follow the work descriptions. I mean, what do you do with a chamber maid who feels she doesn't want to clean the WC? Or a mail man with serious doubts he can deliver packages with clothes in them?

Aamna, london, uk

I live in Morocco, a Muslim country (I am a UK Expat) and of course it is Ramadan here.

And *here* you can buy Alcohol (if you are not Muslim) and the (all) muslim Checkout girls *will* handle it no problem !!

Go figure !

Jez, Casablanca, Morocco

this is ridulous! muslims do drink they just do it undercover!

kiran, lon,

This is so ridiculous!! Anyone remember the BA worker sacked for wearing a cross pendant?? this is definitely a sign of what the words "ethnic minority" really means in modern day England!
And another thing...why is it that I have yet to hear news of Buddhists, jews (or whatever else) that are unwilling to integrate and abide the common rules of society!?

David, London, UK

This is crazy. Guy at the til doesn't have any physical contact with alcohol, merely the bottles and boxes. If he is that fussy, he shouldn't handle shampoo bottles etc. Why the hell is he working in Sainsbury's for? He shouldn't even be filling up his car with petrol or live in a country that has a pub around the corner. I'm a Muslim, and really think these people are a little out of touch with reality. Not sure what to think of Sainsbury's whether its a publicity stunt or what.

Raj Bahet, Plymouth,

Mustapha isnt the problem its the system here that panders to muslims every whim.

Given the choice of either do your job or get another job (surely handling all goods is part of the job profile) then im sure he would do it, If not get rid of him.

We are slowly moving into a muslim, non muslim state here where one side has more say than the other

Dal, london,

This is totally ridiculous, as some of your previous comments have said: Show them the door. Will the next item they refuse to handle be meat because it is not halal? It is high time the West stopped bending over for these idiots.

Digby, Llucmayor, Spain

I feel the country being taken over by the dark side.
Help us Obi-Wan, your our only hope!

Pete , St Albans, England

i think a full scale boycott of sainsurys is indicated. go tesco

terry sullivan, morden,

Funny, I recently went to a corner shop run by moslems to buy a bottle of wine. Normally this bottle costs a fiver everywhere else but the assistant had no problem handling the wine and charging me a tenner. How strange.

Rick, London, England

im at university studying in the UK i am English and the second i graduate is the second i leave for reasons exactly like this
good luck getting my student loan back !!!!

rich, london, england

As someone who has worked for 4 years for a central London branch of Sainsbury's, I have to say that I am very disappointed with this decision, as I feel that by (over)accomodating one minorities needs you are effectively disciminating against all the rest. I think as a result of this I will become a teetotal, vegetarian catholic, and will refuse to handle all alcohol, condoms, meat products and meat by-products, and take my company to the Commision for Racial Equality when they try to discipline me for it. On a more sinister note, I think that this decision has a lot to do with the fact that Sainsbury's are currently in negotiations with a middle-eastern company to buy them out.

Stephanie, London, UK

Are the directors of Sainsbury's out of their minds? More Neville Chamberlianism; appease, appease, appease at all costs - cowards and traitors the lot of them. This just such arrant nonsense. Now we are entering into the realm of unintended consequences.

Employees have no right to dictate to management what they will and will not do. In most companies I know, including my own, any employee who pulls a stunt like this would be terminated immediately. Further in most companies, employees must agree in advance to do the job they are hired to do completely as a condition of employment; no right thinking employer ever likes to pay for a whole loaf and get half.

If Muslims want to live in Britain, they should behave and live in in a manner that is more akin to the people of the host country otherwise, they should be encouraged to move to a country that is more compatible with their beliefs.

Steve Robinson, Los Angeles, California, USA

Now I know why I left the UK !!!! This is stupid. No dis-respect to people involved but they are not actually even handling the alcohol, its in its containers, its bottles etc, so at no point does it come in to contact with them !!!!

There has to be a boundary that is not crossed at some time, but the way things are going over there it doesnt look like its ever going to get clarified.

AndyB, Auckland, new Zealand

Utterly ridiculous. Add another to the list of 'not shopping there agains'.

Dave Lister, Liverpool,

One further scenario to consider. I want to buy some red wine to perform a private eucharist ceremony. A muslim at Sainsbury's refuses to handle it. This insults my faith. Who wins?

I know who loses!

Joe M, London,

Lets hope no Muslim ever wins the Grand Prix then.

Watching him or her screaming in agony from the podium drenched in Champaigne would be heartbreaking.

If someone tried it out on one of the cashouts at Bradford Morrisons- with a can of Fosters would they go to prison?

This country's really ace.

Jez W, Leeds,

Doctors apparently can ethically and legitemetally refuse to be involved with all aspects of abortion This smells simalar

Chris Quartly, Harpenden, uk

I guess Catholics can refuse to sell Condoms or a Pharmacist birth controll Pills?
What happens to the Pork, Bacon and sausages Sales.

Get a Grip .

Milly, Dallas, Texas USA

Are vegetarian staff at Sainsbury permitted to refuse to sell meat? Are tea totallers also allowed to refuse to sell alchohol?

In my local (Brixton) Sainsbury they often have signs on tills saying "cash only" - to avoid delays and embarassment, I think we should also have signs saying "no alchohol".

John Wilson, London, Uk

What happens if a customer of the store has bought bacon?. Or, has eaten bacon and breathes on the Muslim?. What happens if a vegetarian does not want to handle meat?. What happens if a Vegan oblects to egg products being used?. Pandering always gets the PC crowd to show how stupid and daft they have become.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

I think multiculturalism should now be shown to be an illogical nonsense that effectively equates to no culture at all. This is importantly different from a diverse, tolerant AND EVEN HANDED culture which I would like to see, but a significant number of religious (and political) extremists do not.
Surely the tolerant need to intolerant of intolerance?
I also think there is a huge problem caused by the confusion of racism and being openly against certain practices of certain religions (or political ideologies). People don't have any choice over their genetic make up, whereas beliefs and ideology are things that are chosen. There is no single genetic group making up those who follow Islam (or, say, Marxism), and, at least for now, people can change their belief systems as they choose. Therefore to condemn a hijacked religious 'practice' that boils down to needlessly refusing to do your job the same as everyone else, is not a racist position to take.

Joe M, London,

Apparently most of the people posting here remember what "incrementalism" is. Alcohol now, pork in two years, allowing unaccompanied women in the queue in 5 years, allowing any women in the store in 10 years, allowing you to eat pork in 20 years, allowing you to be anything other than Muslim in 50 years. Will it happen? I don't know. No one is forcing them to live here. Couldn't they change their own country? Must they change yours (& ours) instead?

Craig Gorsuch, Dallas, TX, USA

This can only be a political move. My neighbours are practising muslims and are quite happy to receive my deliveries from the Sunday Times Wine Club while I am at work. It is unforunate that more radical elements, determined to shove their religious views on the rest of us, seem to grab the headlines. The vast majority of Muslims are not like this but they do feel intimidated by the current politcal climate. They feel unable to speak freely while their mosques, once a haven and 'community centre' for local muslims, are being highjacked by a small but well-organised (and well financed by our dependency on oil) number of radicalised and politically motivated elements willing to use threats, intimidation and violence to control the muslim population in their area. All situations such as those described in this article have to be resisted completely, to be exposed for what they are.
Ask this question - Why would a devout muslim take a job in a shop that sells alcohol?

Bill, Glasgow,

I firmly believe that if you accept a job knowing what it involves, you should be expected to honour the terms. This goes for self stacking, and any other duty which means handling and selling goods. Whether this be alcohol, or non halal meat as long as it is wrapped. Anyone who refuse to do this should be put through the correct and accepted disciplinary procedure.

The short answer seems to me to be..if you feel you can't do the job don't take it in the first place.

J R Smith, Bradford, West Yorkshire

This is despicable and should be as against company policy and treated as gross misconduct. The member of staff should be instantly dismissed. I would not tolerate being treated like this, after all, it’s the people buying the alcohol that is paying their salary. If they don’t like it they should pursue some other line of work.

A Hill, Hemel Hempstead,

Excellent news for me! As a Spaniard, I will apply for a job at Sainsbury's and then ask for a one-hour lunch break and a two-hour siesta break. If I am not granted both I will sue Sainsbury's for xenophobia!

Matilde, London, UK

Is it not true that a Company in the far East is trying to buy Sainsburys and are these muslims? I think so, so just be aware.

Jay, Cardigan, Wales

This whole topic reminded me of three poignant quotes - religion in my view is not about display and demonstration of faith. We are all faced with challenges but our own values do not need to be imposed on others. Truthful living is within ourselves alone wherever we are.

"Truth is the highest of all Virtues; but higher still is the living of Truth" - Sikhism

"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." - Buddhism

"Belief is truth held in the mind; faith is a fire in the heart."

Nimmi Channa, Croydon, UK

Have you people in the UK lost your sense of national pride? Why do you grovel to these aliens who despise us no matter what we do to accommodate them? Thank God I left England for Australia years ago. If I were still in England I would feel obliged to join the BNP.

paul ingleton, brisbane,

I am glad that you are not in this country anymore - the BNP and your sought are a tired old relic of a past time - anyway - arent you an immigrant in Australia - maybe the aborigines should kick you out (and by the way - your not welcome here any more)

Paul S, London, UK

Is Sainsbury's trying to get some publicity from their "new clause" ? I have never shopped at Sainsbury's and never will I in future.

Mahesh Yanambakkam, Bedfordshire,

A very poor decision by Sainbury's. We are always being told of the differences between radical Islam and Moderate Islam. No moderate muslim would think twice about it, it's only selling the stuff not consuming it. By taking the position they have, Sainsbury's are indirectly promoting radical Islam and ALL that goes with it. I too will not be shopping in Sainsbury's again.

Andy, Luton, UK

Are catholics to be allowed not to sell condoms and vegetarians not to sell meat? This is rediculous. There should be no exceptions or they should not be employed in the first place.

Russell Taylor, Bonar Bridge, Ardgay, Scoptland

If Sainsbury has allowed its Muslim staff not to handle alcohol, I must say it is a very good decision. I am a Muslim and have worked for Sainsbury. Right now I am working for Asda and I may request them to allow us not to serve alcohol.

Muslim

Irfan, Nottingham, England

Queing is bad enough as it is. The first time I get additionally held up for this nonsense I'm dropping everything and walking out of the shop. No one is asking them to drink it for goodness sake. This is NOT a Muslim country. Yet anyway.

Thalia, London,

Where I live we often have teenagers running some of the checkouts, but it is illegal for them to sell alcohol so this kind of switchoff is not uncommon. If it is done efficiently it doesn't cause too much delay, but I'd be concerned if there were a lot of clerks refusing to sell on purely religious grounds; if there were enough of them it could cause significant delays and disruption.

Bruce, Raleigh, USA

Sack them.

Its has nothing what so ever to do there with there religion (just like wearing vile's) its just a twisted modern day belief, trying to out-religion one another.

Dan, London, UK

Constantly switching staff at the checkouts sounds like a good idea?

Alan, Edinburgh,

I am not sure it is that straightforward. Extrapolating frm 1-2 employees to all muslims is overreaction. That's the other angle to consider.

http://dailysalty.blogspot.com/2007/09/muslim-checkout-staff-get-alcohol-opt.html

Dr. Bhaskar Dasgupta, London, UK

If they can not do the job fully like everyone else, SACK THEM. This is England abide by the way we live, or leave the country.

john Braund, bideford, uk

I suppose you'll have people refusing to sell condoms next... or asking if you're married first? or refusing to serve female Muslim customers not wearing a hijab - as was the case recently with a certain dentist... if people want a job, they should leave their personal preferences - and their religion - at home.

Marco, uk, uk

I used to clerk in three different stores. At any time I was free to quit that position and do something else. If you can't handle the merchandise, you need to GET ANOTHER JOB! Those who refuse to do what is required for the job need to be shown the door and told to work elsewhere. Perhaps Islam should be doing a bit of conforming to the rest of the civilized world, not vice versa.

Janet Fuls, Cottonwood, CA USA

One day historians are going to comment on this period in the history of Great Britain and the West in general, when a primitive donothing know-nothing religion seemed to fighten an advanced civilization to the point of paralysis, and will just shake their heads in utter puzzlement.

What the heck are you people in England thinking??

Lori, Toronto, Canada

I wonder what Sainsbury's would do if a member of staff refused to sell halal food because of its utter cruelty. In the current climate they'd probably be prosecuted for racism. This kind of nonsense should not be tolerated. Thankfully, it is the preserve of overzealous ignorant people who are misrepresenting their personal preferences as faith - thankfully also that their actions are criticised by other Muslim people.

grahame, sheffield, England

sainsbury's! Get a grip!

neil , hull, e yorks

Sainsbury's? Are they still in business?

Mi, Brighton,

Go and live somewhere else.
This is Britain and alcohol is part of our culture. You don't have to drink it but if you choose to work in a supermarket expect to handle it.
What next, Muslims who refuse to handle pork products, or serve women with bare arms or legs?
It is time to stop indulging this nonsense.
I won't shop in Sainsbury' s again. Their pandering to a few religious attention seekers is shameful.

SM, London,

Pandering to the insane or accommodating a member of staff? Lets face it, what choice have businesses these days. If they don't bend and do as the religious want, they'll be the brunt of a religious inspired hate campaign against them or worse! They're in a no win situation!

J Green, Manchester, UK

I am disgusted that Sainsbury's is pandering to the 'overenthusiastic' demands of a handful of Muslim employees. When applying to work as a checkout assistant, it is implicit that the job requires scanning all goods which are available in the store. If a person does not feel that they can handle certain goods because of their religion, then they should not take the job. I could not give a fig if a checkout assistant's religious sensibilities are offended by my purchases - i am the customer, and it is their job to serve me quickly and efficiently - that is what they are getting paid to do. i suggest to all the readers of this article who feel the same, and don't want Britain to be taken over by this lunacy: take your business elsewhere. Hit Sainsbury's where it hurts! This is the only way of making sure our country does not become a mental asylum.

RB, London, UK

I am a frequent shopper at sainsburys as it is my local store. i will be asking the service counter if this option is being applied in my store and if it is i will relinquish my sainsburys nectar card and refuse to shop with them anymore. . I am all for accommodating other faiths etc, but this is pushing the limits, what will they do about bacon, pork, non hallal meat, white wine sauce and all other stuff!!!!!!!! I do not consider myself in the least bit racist but I am sick to death of slowing becoming the minority in my own country. Stop this rot now.
This is a british country and we should be proud to be british and stand up for our selves.

A Philipson, preston, lancashire, england

Ten items or less lane? Cash only lane? Sharia Law lane?

What does medieval superstition have to do with my shopping?

Insanity.

Utter insanity.

Patrick Milne, Harrogate, UK

Have you people in the UK lost your sense of national pride? Why do you grovel to these aliens who despise us no matter what we do to accommodate them? Thank God I left England for Australia years ago. If I were still in England I would feel obliged to join the BNP.

paul ingleton, brisbane,

When you sign up to the job, you know what you're getting into. So why object later? May be you should be looking for an alternative job or even an alternative place to live your way? Bringing religion into the workplace is a dangerous sign... and it's surprising that Sainsbury's are accommodating such irrational behaviour - which is not a good sign in a progressive society.

Suresh Thangavel, Bristol, England

Get a life and stop moaning & whinging. If Sainsbury's don't mind then what the hell has it got to do with you? I'm not a muslim & I don't drink & I'd rather not sell poison to people!

Rick, Manchester,

At least the Muslim organistations mentioned here are finally seeing common sense. If you don't want to be in contact with alcohol you should not work at a place where alcohol is stocked.

Also it is true that a high proportion of the off-licences in Britain are owned by those of Muslim descent. They never have any problems.

Deepan, London, U.K

This is a total mockery of religion, Being a muslim i would personally understand that he is not selling the commodity but infact the employer is. And thats the case, so is he not even suppose to work for that employer. Understanding the religious belief and accomodating in such instances is very sensible for the employer and his reputation to keep in market. Well done sainsbury's if thats what you want to hear from the people (Equal Opps.)

Sirajjudin Kazi, Derby,

Sainsbury's are doing Muslims a disservice by bowing to this sort of blackmail.

I'm sure it's well intentioned, but this nonsense plays into the hands of those that would cause problems by exploiting differences.

Chris, Oldham, Lancs

I am really sick of this nonsense. This is Britain. You don't like it leave. You don't want to do your job we can find someone else to do it. I will be avoiding shopping at Sainsburys from now on. Sainsburys shows a lack of respect for our British culture.

neil, chessington, surrey

With policies like this which even Muslim organisations deem ridiculous, you have to wonder if some fat cat is laughing as he intentionally provokes the tensions of multiculturalism. As many commentators have pointed out, this'll be the tip of the iceberg -- Muslims will object to scanning pork next. At the end of the day, these prohibitions are picked at random -- I'm sure many UK Muslims are doing many 'unislamic' things all the time. It all depends on the interpretation/school of thought. So how can Sainsburys justify this? What If I decide I can no longer serve cheese on the basis of a religion that I invent? Why should a religion with more adherents be more justifiable than my own? This opens Pandora's box.... ultimately, if Mustapha is this extreme, he needs to move to Shariah-ville ASAP. I can't imagine being so selfish that I would insist on interrupting the check-out (which is laborious at the best of times!) because of some arbitrary, antiquated hang-up on alcohol.

Chris Wood, Manchester,

Right, I'm never shopping at Sainsbury's again, the queues were already getting bad, the prices are higher than elsewhere, there has been many times items have been priced incorrectly (which always means a more expensive receipt, strange that...) and their stock levels are very poor.

IT'S A RIP OFF.

Justin, Nr. Lincoln, UK

It's time we stopped pandering to religious beliefs full stop. There is nothing meritorious or noble in believing in ancient tales and traditions without any real or substatial evidence. This incident merely serves to create a rod for our own liberal backs. Sooner or later we will have Hindus refusing to sell beef, Catholics refusing to sell condoms, Jews refusing to sell pork etc. As usual religion is creating exclusivity. Where will it end? Muslim, Jewish, Catholic etc. supermarkets.

Oscar, London, UK

Good for the refuseniks; we have an epidemic of alcohol related disease and crime- it is completely irresponsible of supermarkets to be flogging the stuff one aisle along from nappies and toothpaste.

Brummy Doug, Birmingham, England

I can see this developing into yet another immigration story when it's really about how far personal beliefs extend into public space. It's not even about religious beliefs as the same argument could be put forward by vegetarians handling meat at the till. It's a requirement of the job to handle bottles of alcohol and meat and any of the other products they sell so it's not unreasonable to expect employees to do so. There's a difference between accomodating personal beliefs in workplaces and being ruled by them. Sainsburys are asking for future trouble here, I'd say.

DJ, Loughborough, UK

I always thought when in rome do as the romans do.Then again this is the u.k.So when in the u.k do as you like it seems.I do not like working on the 4th July at american parties since they won and we lost.but i,m english and have to do as i,m asked or loss my job.

chris, louth, england

I expect that fairly soon, staff will also be given the option of refusing to serve Homosexuals.

John, London, London

I wonder, would the staff in question also have reservations about accepting payment for these 'forbidden' goods?

There are some Christians in this country that don't drink alcohol, eat pork (or shellfish or web footed birds like duck and geese) but I don't hear them coming up with this nonsense.

What next? Staff refusing to sell jelly because it contains gelatine?

It takes long enough getting through the check outs already. This will just make it worse!

Sunny, London, United Kingdom

This chap apparently has no qualms about accepting payment from the store - which makes part of its profit from selling alcohol so he too is profiting from alcohol sales. Since accepted Muslim scholars have no truck with his objection to passing alcohol across a scanner - after all he's not quaffing it himself - isn't this another case of the companies being terrified by the race relations lobby so that they bend over backwards to accommodate every single person'shighly individual interpretation of what they see as religious rules. Thinking of where this will ultimately lead is enough to boggle the mind!.

jim smith, London,

I think the christian workers at Sainsbury's should refuse to sell halal meat. To put it bluntly, would you like your throat slit and be allowed to to bleed to death. When will this country ever stop pandering to minorities who really only are trying to impose their beliefs on the rest of use. Next it will be separate kitchens if you wish to cook pork, the list is never ending.

chris, woodbridge,

It's no difference from our local Waitrose where under 18-s, who are employed inn vast numbers in the afternoon, are not allowed to sell alcohol. The usual palaver with ringing a bell on the till and someone rushing over shouting "it's OK".

Telma, Guildford,

where does this stop?? are pork products next? offensive bacon?

Lee, liverpool, merseyside

This is a joke. When the particular person took the job, they knew they would have to handle alcohol. If they can't fulfil 100% of their duties, the position should go to somebody who can.

Aaron Metcalfe, Colnbrook, United Kingdom

I respect the views of the people who object but wish they objected in the traditional way - with their feet. Left the place and work somewhere else. You dont like the film, dont watch it. Dont like the culture of the complany, leave. You dont like the politics vote for someone else.

Can we now expect to see conservative Catholics refusing to sell condoms, Jewish and Muslims employees refusing to sell ham at the counters. Others refusing to sell CD's with swearing ...... and so the list grows.

Tony, Woking,

If Sainsbury's are happy with their decision, then i accept it..and therefore I choose to shop elsewhere, not just for booze, but all my shopping... approximately 85 pounds each week.....imagine if we all did that for..say... 3 months .....hmmm ...any takers??

Andy, London, UK

Begs the question..... what's going to happen when I hand my packet of three to a devote Catholic?!?! No fun for me at the weekend :-(

Lance, Crawley, UK

No god in the sky ever told anyone what to do or what to think. Religious cults do this. Once again we British have to submit to their laws. It is an insult to us not to serve us with what we want to buy. Are they going to dictate what we eat next? This should be stopped. This is not an Islamic country and if we do not nip this in the bud we will have lost our country forever.

carol heale , kidderminster, worcester

I work in Electricity and Gas transmission. Maybe I should boycot certain aspects of my job because some of the electrons that we channel down our lines are used to power abbatoirs that practice halaal (something I morally disagree with). I doubt my employer would be so understanding.

Shane, Guildford, England

The answer is simple. Boycott Sainsburys until they change such a stupid policy.

P.S. well done to the Muslim leaders who have spoken out and said this is nonsense.

Russ, Reading, UK

When living in the Arabian Gulf, Muslims who worked in hotels, establishments, supermarkets that sold pork or alcohol products had no problem whatsoever serving non-Muslims.

I think certain sections of the Muslim community in Britain are trying to make a show of how pious and religious they are. They are trying to "out-Muslim" even the Arabs, who were the original Muslims. The same happened in the Gulf when you had British Muslims who worked there.

Life is not about making a show for other people. Rather, go about your business, religion etc in a quiet and private way.

The only alternative is, if you don't like Britain or the decadent West, move to an Islamic country or one where there is Sharia.

Tariq Al-Tajer, Bayswater, London, UK

Inane. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Thomas, Atlanta, GA, USA

Once again the acts of a few are being used to represent a whole religious population. I am a muslim who has worked in a Tesco for many years and never once have come across this situation before, but as soon as one muslim makes a wrong decision it's the whole religion who's to blame. It's a shame that so many of the commenters are not intelligent enough to identify how small an issue this is. Let me help you out , idiots who use their religion to get out of work is stupid but not a major threat to normal british society (simply sack them if they wish to make such stupid requests). What is a threat to society is the people not being able to look around them and judge for themselves instead of using certain rightwing media for their opinions.

Deen, London,

I suppose the ideal would be for us to live in separate communities. We could have boundaries which we would call borders, and the communities,well, they could be called countries.

Eugene, Chester, England

John from London says its "Absolutely ridiculous. I can't believe shops are putting up with this crap"

After the recent cases of religious intolerance would anyone risk their business over the threat of a religious boycott for the simple matter of not allowing the religious to have their own way?

J Green, Manchester, UK

I fully appreciate Muslim's reluctance to sell certain items. To avoid such issues, I have not set foot inside a Muslim owned store since 9/11 - problem solved!

Colin Soames, London,

Mustapha should be sacked as should the management. This is a gross abuse of the religious tolerance and will only lead to intolerance. What if "Mustapha" then objects to a young ladies dress, does he refuse to sell to her or because someone is Jewish etc etc.

I personally find outward signs of a person religion as offensive, how will Sainsburys accomodate an employee with similar views?

Steven Katirai, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England

Surey if you take a job in a Supermarket you would realise that you will have to handle in some form either alcohol and probably more importantly if you are of that mind set non Hala meat, as previous posters have noted what next, refusal to scan bacon, pork etc. Sainsburys are doing nobody any favours by adopting this policy, if anything they are stoking the debate, by pandering to what can only be called religious opertunists.
Can you imagine the chaos at Xmas time, these employees will in effect be getting paid for doing nothing!
I'm afraid I would probably take the view already stated and take by busness else where.

Gary, Yarm, UK

I think Mr Siddiqui hit the nail on the head.

Both the supermarket and the individual should reconsider their respective positions.
Some common sense please otherwise where will this behaviour end?

Please do not inconvenience your customers, for a personal issue. I would hope in a busy or pressing situation the individual would relax such views.

The employee should not really be placed or employed on a checkout or in a position/job which he feels uncomfortable with. Redundancy probably beckons if no other positions can be found.

sm, London, UK

Blood makes me sick but I work in a school where children fall over. Can I now refuse to deal with their injuries?

judy, Liverpool, england

So.......Mustapha says he can't sell alcohol because it's Ramadan, but he happily sells food. Surely he should not have such a job at all at the moment.

Amanda H, Doncaster/Dubai, UK/UAE

This is simply ridiculous. The managements and government are bowing to a minute minority and in the process justufying their warped interpretation of religious scriptures.
Am I to believe the Duty Free shops in Islamic countries are manned by non muslims?
Will all the Muslim management run hotels stop serving alcohol?
Tomorrow will it be extrapolated to NHS with Doctors of afith having opportunity to raise their arm and say no to treating a guy who has consumed alcohol?
I am sure majority muslims in this country will be ashamed to be associated with this development.
By paying lip service to a minority amongst the minority the government and managements are stfling the voices of moderate majority in this religion.
Disgusting.

K Prasad, Ayr,

I live in Dubai, and am regularly served pork alchol, etc by Muslims in a Muslim country

Mike, Dubai, UAE

Ridiculous. In line with the muslims refusing to wash their hands with surgical scrub when entering hospital wards and undermining campaigns against MRSA and C. diff.

The Koran is clear that muslims should not CONSUME alcohol. Mustapha is not selling alcohol. Sainsburys' are. Mustapha is a till boy. Will he carry on for the rest of the year after Ramadan refusing to handle bacon, ham and pork chops? The Koran is clear on that... unlike alcohol pork is unclean and Mustapha should not handle it under any circumstances and go and wash seven times with water each time he is "contaminated" by it.

I would say that the man's religious principles preclude him from doing his job properly. He should be helped and encouraged to find another job.

Paolo Bagarino, Roma, Italy

What about pork and products containing pork products? What about magazines and newspapers that may contain images to which an individual objects? What about images on any packaging that could be complained about? Basically, what extent do you go to to accommodate an individuals possible extreme views??

gareth flint, london,

What will happen next...muslims only tills? Muslims only cash-points? Muslims only buses? Once started, where will it stop?

Manjinder, Dudley, UK

Will I be served if I have some lamb chops, roll-on deoderant or mouthwash? What would happen if I'm at the till and I've bought a ready cooked meal or cook-in-sauce that has some wine in it?

I ask because the lamb will not be 'Halal' and therefore by definition must be 'Haram', some roll-ons and mouthwashes contain alcohol.

Christmas should be a laugh and a half if we have to wait for till staff to be swapped about.

christo, London,

this country counties to head down a very dangerous path of accommodating too many cultures, beliefs and religions. We are British and a Christian country and therefore the majority should abide by the laws and traditions of this land i.e. a land where alcohol has been consumed and sold for thousands of years.

stuart Farquharson, london,

I wonder if he and his fellow workers would have the same objection if they worked in a concern owned by their own families which sold alcohol? I have yet to find a convenience store owned and operated by people from ethnic minorities which does not sell alcohol. Do they object to selling or handling mouthwashes or gripe water?
However, it is encouraging to read that the director of the Muslim Institute condemns this "overenthusiasm".
What will Sainsbury's do when an employee refuses to sell pork (more to the point, why is it sold at Tescos), beef, or products which contain these or other meats? Of course we would require a sufficient number of 'overenthusiastic' jews, hindus or sikh employees for this to occur.

Bill Q, Derby,

if they are not going to serve the British public,with the goods ,that they wish to purchase,then they should find employment,els ware.if it ever happens to me.i Will just leave the all the items,at the cash desk,and shop some where else.

david cross, bournemouth, dorset

At last some senior Muslim leaders speaking with common sense. What next, Catholic supermarket staff refusing to sell condoms and birth control devices or Jewish workers refusing to sell the customer a pork pie??
Lets hope these two leaders that are mentioned are emulated by others, not just on this issue but wider ranging far more serious issues of religious tolerance and understanding.

Rory Wiltshire, Maidenhead, Berks,UK

This is crazy. PC beyond belief.

I wonder what religion most open all hours corner shop keepers are? Bound to be a good proporton of muslims there -will they refuse to serve or handle acohol as well? Can't see that happening at all.

MB

Mark Bullen, Kiama Downs, NSW Aus

what about pork? are they going to refuse to handle that next... i agree that too much accomodation is only going to result in more resentment...

Baraq Shehab....

Baraq Shehab , Sassenheim, Netherlands

Muslims are allowed to consume alcohol, only If it can help with health related matters. Muslims are also allowed to consume alcohol related medication. The word 'alcohol' is itself of Arabic descent. These employee's are definitely overenthusiastic.

Mohammed, London, UK

Absolutely ridiculous. I can't believe shops are putting up with this crap

john, London, England

This is ridiculous. If you have an objection to part of a job, then you should not apply for that job in the first place. If I go to work tomorow and claim to have a deep felt reason to only attend the office 3 hours a day, do you think they'll let me go home early? No, well what about if I come up with some superstitious reasoning for it, will it work then?

Mark Allen, Nottingham,