July 02, 2008

How Not To Respond To Muslim Religious Sensitivities

If you recall, nearly three years ago there was a move in the UK to ban pictures, cartoon, and knick-knacks depicting pigs from government offices in some areas. Why? Because they were offensive to Muslims, who object to pigs on religious grounds. Those who put the ban in place (including some school boards, which banned books like Winnie the Pooh because of characters like Piglet), argued that they were merely promoting tolerance and harmony between people of different faiths -- despite the fact that it meant that a small minority were censoring the majority.

At the time, one of my commenters asked if dogs were next, given Muslim objections to dogs for similar reasons.

Guess what -- that scenario is now playing out in the UK.

policedog[1].jpg

A postcard featuring a cute puppy sitting in a policeman's hat advertising a Scottish police force's new telephone number has sparked outrage from Muslims.

Tayside Police's new non-emergency phone number has prompted complaints from members of the Islamic community.

The choice of image on the Tayside Police cards - a black dog sitting in a police officer's hat - has now been raised with Chief Constable John Vine.

And the local constabulary has apologized, expressing regret that they failed to consult with the department's "diversity adviser" over the matter before the card was put out to the public with the picture of Rebel, the force's new police dog.

Now come on. Like we un the US, most folks in the UK have been raised with the mentality that "Happiness is a warm puppy." Like the US, the UK is a country in which dogs are "man's best friend" and a part of the family. Why, then, apologize to the hyper-sensitive for even depicting a dog on the poster? Isn't there an obligation on the part of Muslims to recognize that the British majority does not take offense at the mere mention of the word "dog", and that they will have to deal with the reality that the majority view will be the one catered to?

Oh, yeah. This is the same country that made this decision last week, limiting the use of sniffer dogs near Muslims in London subway stations. Interestingly enough, the use of the dogs began after the 2005 bombings on that subway system -- by a group of Muslims, don't you know.

More at Lionheart, LGF, Gateway Pundit, Hot Air

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