Monday, January 22, 2007

Briefs

If you can't touch hands, how do you use handcuffs?



LONDON - Police said yesterday that a Muslim woman officer had refused to shake hands with London's police chief during a graduation ceremony last month due to her religious beliefs, fanning a debate in Britain over the assimilation of Muslims into society.

The woman - whose identity was not revealed - asked to be excused from the customary handshake with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ian Blair during the ceremony, saying her faith prohibited her from touching a man other than her husband or a close relative.

Blair immediately questioned the validity of her request, said a Metropolitan Police spokeswoman.

"Ordinarily the [police force] would not tolerate such requests. This request was only granted... to ensure the smooth running of what is one of the most important events in an officer's career," the spokeswoman said.

Muslim groups defended the police officer who refused to shake the commissioner's hand, saying her beliefs would not affect how she carried out her job.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------