It is difficult for the West to see not touching any part of a woman (including her hand) as a sign of respect. A women's body was considered a property of men and woman mentally accepts that. Even today women have to abandon their family name and take her husband's name.

Hassan, Alpharetta, GA, USA

Our religion taught us to respect women ,i know even some of my friends and elders don't shake their hand with their daughters and sisters just to respect them .This is not a matter of muslim or non muslim ,we can't shake hand with muslim women.

SOHAIL, karachi, paistan

Muslims should integrate with the culture that they have chosen to join or return to a place where they can live under Sharia law. We would not choose to emigrate to a Muslim country and impose our codes of behaviour on them.

Cherry Atwell, London, England

Why would anyone care about catering to his "religious beliefs." When in Rome do as the Romans do. Mr. Sheikh was being extremely impolite, disrespectful, and culturally insensitive.

Scott, Durham. NC, USA

Simply it is narrowminded arrogance to not respect other people's faiths and customs, an attack on human rights. It takes a weak ignorant man/woman to resent other people's dfferences. Why such cowardice and fear? Why take other people's religious practices as a personal assault?! Peace

Munira, Kidderminster, England

Would people have made the same fuss if an Orthodoz Jew refused to shake hands with the opposite gender? I don't think so. We need to ask oursleves, why are we so anti-Muslim? The media is to blame for all the Islamophobic rubbish...

Stuart, London, UK

With an attitude like that, his asylum request should be denied. If he does not want to assimilate into his new country's culture (that does not mean change his religion) then he should be invited to return to the wonderful place he came from.

Lloyd Davies, Chelmsford, Mass, USA

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything! Europe has relinquished its hold on its Christian roots just as the United States has. Both will eventually surrender to Islam. The belief that all cultures are equal and that no one religion is better than another will result in ruin

Arcy, Acworth, US

When it becomes acceptable for women to travel alone all over the Middle East, be in public without a male escort and wear a bikini to the beach or hotel pool, then we can believe that Muslims don't want to impose their rules on the rest of the universe. Until then: when in Rome.. - for muslims, too

Moham, West Virginia, USA

The problem is, Ahmed, that the world is not required to follow Islamic law and traditions. We do not have to accomodate Shria law in schools serving special food, provide space in schools for Muslims only, follow handshaking rules. Muslim practices are discriminatory. That is the problem.

Adie, Town, United States

Shaking hands is not a healthy thing to do, passing on germs. Fortunately, there is much less handshaking done in Australia these days.

margie , victoria, australia

Isn't multiculture wonderful!

P Smith, Luton,Bedfordshire, UK

Diversity is always there and will continue. We should grow up to focus on the main issue at hand. The reward is for voluntary work on fund raising and not on handshaking. Alinoor explained his belief about handshaking with the opposite sex, and he was assured that it is OK. So where is the problem?

Ahmed, Dublin, Ireland

It doesn't surprise me that Muslims will not shake hands with a woman. The following are quotes coming from Muslim historical documents:

"Beat your wives if they commit sinful acts; women are captives of their husbands." Also: "Women, slaves and camels are the same."

Philip Saenz, Houston, Texas/USA

I find it particularly ironic that his name was Sheikh!

Martin Scotchmore, Huddersfiled,

Hard line Islam has no place in the West. This man should go back to Somalia and Sudan and live under Sharia.
Well done Ireland for sticking to western values.
Here in the UK a woman Muslim refused to shake the gloved hand of Sir Ian Blair at a passing out parade. Her taboo won.

Ib, Dalston, UK

The brother in question advised the organizers beforehand and was assured he would be accommodated. They allowed him to turn up and humiliated him in front of people. This is nothing less than shameful discrimination and the Africa Centre out to be taken to task.

Mujaahid, Wexford, Ireland

Hey lads at least Muslim men have chivalry towards women, the rest of the men in the west are like sex maniacs. Dont believe go look at rape stats.

Its a paradox that society calls muslims backwards when just last century white women got rights by hunger strikes and blacks were beaten to death!

Abdullah, Dublin, Ireland

Muslims do not shake hands with the opposite sex not because they feel superior or anything like that. They simply do so for their own individual spiritual reasons. No harm or insult intended to anyone. Its up to individuals to practice their faith. Not fair that he was not given the award.

Abdul Haseeb, Dublin, Ireland

Absolutely ludicrious I dont think shaking her hand would result in him being sent to hell

Those moving to European countries should take such matters into consideration -PRIOR- to moving there.

If I went to Egypt I would not proffer my hand to a Muslim after eating a pork chop. Respect maybe

jason pearson, Toronto, Canada

Robin Block.

To most of us in the UK, it appears that Europe's committing suicide too. The average man in the street hasn't got a clue what, if anything, is being done... though I personally believe we are doing something.

I have faith in our people, if not in god.

Charlie, London,

"Muslim bash"? To us in the USA, it appears as if Europe is committing suicide in it's efforts to accommodate Muslims. Unfortunately, the USA isn't very far behind the trend.

Robin Block, Colorado Springs, USA

Meanwhile we Brits are told we should find out about the local customs when we go abroad and make sure we abide by them so as not to offend anyone.

Jane, Birmingham,

So Mr Ali, if one group has backwards views then it excuses others who are equally backward? But anything to Jew bash eh?

Carl McGuire, Leeds,

Orthodox Jews also dont shake hands with the opposite sex . But anything to Muslim bash eh?

Munir Ali, London, UK