Muslim bus driver stops to pray

**Wallalai** · 10-02-2010, 05:01 PM

Muslim bus driver locks passengers aboard as he stops to pray

A Muslim bus driver knelt in the aisle to pray for five minutes leaving bemused and anxious passengers trapped in ther seats.

By Heidi Blake
Published: 11:51AM GMT 08 Feb 2010
The driver pulled over without warning and rolled out a high-visibility jacket as a makeshift prayer mat before removing his shoes, turning to face Mecca and starting to chant in Arabic.
Passengers said they looked on in stunned silence, fearing the driver may be preparing for a terrorist attack on the bus. No one was able to get on or off the vehicle during the five-minute prayer session.

Gayle Griffiths, 33, complained to Transport for London (TfL) about the incident on the number 24 bus in Gospel Oak, north London, last week.
The mother-of-one from Camden, north west London, who had boarded the bus minutes earlier on her way home from work, said: “Everyone was looking round in a mix of shock and amazement.
“When he had finished, he just got back up and set off again – all without any explanation or apology. It was truly bizarre, ludicrous and aggravating.”
“We are delayed often enough as it is in London. We live in a multicultural society but there is a time and a place for prayer and the middle of a journey with a busload of passengers is not it.”
The NHS administrator added: “It even went through my mind that this might be some sort of terrorist attack with the bus blown up because I had heard that suicide bombers prayed before attacks.”
Gigi David, 38, a bus driver on the same route, claimed that he was aware of other Muslim drivers who had stopped buses to pray in the past.
"I don't like it and I don't accept it, but they do it," he said.
"They stop the bus and they make people wait while they pray.
"It's not fair on the public - why should they have to wait? If these Muslim drivers want to pray they should do it in their own time."
Ricardo Dinis, 27, who also drives the number 24, said: "It's wrong because it causes delays. I think these drivers should have time for their religion, but when it comes to work he should have waited.'
Sources close to London General said the company had consulted with a local mosque and been told Islam allows for the drivers to be flexible about their prayer times.
The driver in question, who is new to the company, is said to be from Somalia. London General refused to disclose his name.
TfL has apologised to all the passengers for the delay to their journey and the driver has been reprimanded.
A spokesman said: “A route 24 bus was delayed following a decision by the driver to stop the bus to pray.
“The bus company – London General – has had a word with the driver as this is not something that should be happening.”
Muslim drivers have been reminded that they should pray during rest periods between journeys to avoid delays, TfL said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...s-to-pray.html

Greaaaat

**Davis Knowlton** · 10-02-2010, 05:17 PM

That is ridiculous. They "had a word with him"? What was wrong with firing him on the spot. He can always go back to Somalia to pray for a new job. This PC crap has really gone to intolerable extremes. And that he is a Muslim has nothing to do with my feelings. If a Bible-belt Baptist had done the same thing, I would feel exactly the same way. I do believe, however, that he got a pass primarily because he is a Muslim.

**Chairman Mao** · 10-02-2010, 05:21 PM

fearing the driver may be preparing for a terrorist attack on the bus.

Of course, Muslim = Terrorist.

The simple Western masses... perfect brainwashed little drones.

**Chairman Mao** · 10-02-2010, 05:23 PM

You would think that the public transport authority would have a set list of acceptable instances for a driver to stop their bus. To pray not being one of them.

sounds like the bosses are completely incompetent.

**aging one** · 10-02-2010, 05:24 PM

Aint in the job description. Off with his head.

**bsnub** · 10-02-2010, 05:24 PM

The UK is a fucking laughing stalk...What sick joke.

**crazy dog** · 10-02-2010, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Of course, Muslim = Terrorist.

well they were the last people to blow up London buses, so it's kind of understandable.

**Moonraker** · 10-02-2010, 05:27 PM

Wouldn't be surprised if he was just fishing for a reaction so that he could sue on grounds of discrimination or something.

**Smug Farang Bore** · 10-02-2010, 05:27 PM

Fekin hell sack the cvnt!

**Mid** · 10-02-2010, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

You would think that the public transport authority would have a set list of acceptable instances for a driver to stop their bus. To pray not being one of them.

sounds like the bosses are completely incompetent.

indeed ,

so when it did happen , possibly the passengers where correct in feeling apprehensive

**Moonraker** · 10-02-2010, 05:32 PM

I'd be a tad worried even if the driver wasn't a Muslim.

**oldgit** · 10-02-2010, 05:37 PM

Should have let loose a Randy Great Dane , that would have shifted him.

**taxexile** · 10-02-2010, 05:44 PM

The simple Western masses... perfect brainwashed little drones.

bullshit.

if you were on a london bus, it suddenly stopped and the muslim driver got off after locking you in, faced east and started praying, tell me you wouldnt shit your pants like an incontinent 95 year old.

**Smug Farang Bore** · 10-02-2010, 05:47 PM

^^

St Bernard

**dirtydog** · 10-02-2010, 05:53 PM

Nice to see the foriegners intergrating with society so well.
Although maybe he should find a job that doesn't interfere with his prayer schedule.

**ItsRobsLife** · 10-02-2010, 06:01 PM

I've never used the No24 to Gospel Oak so I don't give a f**k.

Gayle Griffiths, 33, complained to Transport for London

Miserable cnut.

**oldgit** · 10-02-2010, 06:09 PM

Such as an Astronaut's job? that would drive him crazy looking for Mecca.

**Spitfire** · 10-02-2010, 06:13 PM

Ridiculous man! Says he's a newly arrived Somali that's already had enough time to get cleared through wanky social services for all the sponging elements, pass his bus/HGV test, then find a job, provided by the PC delusional brigade, only to not be told by the idiots at the bus company that you don't just stop the bus on a whim and start praying. Agree with the earlier poster who said it's got nothing to do with this religion and if it was a bible basher, then same reaction.

Who would want to live in such a fvcked up place, welcome to Tony and Gordon's eutopia.

**crazy dog** · 10-02-2010, 06:29 PM

Last time I was coming back at heathrow I stumbled over a girl assistant at the side of a duty free counter. Thought there was something wrong with her but she was praying. I am sure they have room for this sort of thing, but as with the burka crap some seem to want to make a show of it, almost a provocation.

**Beadle** · 10-02-2010, 06:54 PM

The Koran states they don't have to pray if they are working.

**Looper** · 10-02-2010, 06:57 PM

I would be cacking it if I was on a bus and that happened. I would assume the driver was preparing to ram the bus through the doors of the local public library at its top speed of 53mph in a post GFC low budget version of the 9/11 public transport suicide massacre attacks.

**harrybarracuda** · 10-02-2010, 07:02 PM

Shame you can't sack someone for being a retard, especially as the do-gooders would say you are being "racist" (when neither Islam nor Somalian are races - another example of liberal distortion).

Next thing is he'll be driving in Ramadhan when he's had no sleep and no food, and will be passing out behind the wheel - a serious risk to passenger safety.

I have no problem with idiots who want to live in the 15th century, but don't let the cnuts near modern transport.

This isn't a Muslim issue - they will undoubtedly try and make it one. If they can't do the job as required, fire the cnuts.

If you don't like putting your hands inside a cow's arse, don't be a vet. How facking hard is it?

**AntRobertson** · 10-02-2010, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Shame you can't sack someone for being a retard, especially as the do-gooders would say you are being "racist" (when neither Islam nor Somalian are races - another example of liberal distortion).

Nobody has said that Islam or Somalian are races -- you're making your own distortion to argue against.

**crazy dog** · 10-02-2010, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Beadle

The Koran states they don't have to pray if they are working.

If employers in the UK told them that and asked them to do their nonsense in their own time, they would be straight off to see a solicitor and sue for hurt feelings, discrimination and spreading religious hatred.

**Looper** · 10-02-2010, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

If you don't like putting your hands inside a cow's arse, don't be a vet

I think the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons would second that advice if they saw you going in the wrong'un to try and sort out a breech birthing calf

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