Standby for a lengthy discussion.......


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 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.

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.

"Any refusal to engage in this manner would not be tolerated by the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service)."

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.

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.

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."

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.

"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'."

How about refusal to shake his hand because of belief that Sir Ian Blair is a moronic bastard?

Even when dealing with gays/domestic violence? BNP members are still banned, despite pro-*test*-('")ing this very reason.

Look this is a joke. I mean how can be respect the different cultures when as a Police Officer on the day of graduation she cannot shake the hand of the big boss. I mean this is just absolutely rubbish, once the uniform is on then everything else is out the window and you become a police officer. This just makes me shake my head in absolute disbelief.

My view on this is the same as the time smoething simiar was raised about a muslim officer refusing to do somehting in relation to the Israeli embassy I think...

Once you go on duty, everything else takes second place to the fact that you are a police officer. I swore to perform my duties, "without fear, favour, malice, affection or ill will". I don't get to choose when to do my job as it suits me....

Sure! We have the power of discretion, and we all make decisions about whether or not to give a ticket for example, based on the attitude -*test*-('"), but this religion this is a load of bull.

Toe the line, or get out!

Do you think that western ideas would be so easily entertained in staunchly Muslim (or any religion) countries, where the separation between religion and state is not nearly so clearly defined as here?

Sack her on the spot I say.

It's easier for folk like me, devout atheist and no political affiliation (theyre all twats)

Has a point, you dont know where that commissioner has been