Muslim chef refuses to cook bacon, is suspended, and sues for ‘religious discrimination’

Hasanali Khoja was excused from touching pork in previous position

A Muslim chef employed by the Metropolitan Police is suing for religious discrimination after he was asked to cook sausages and bacon for ‘999 breakfasts’.

Hasanali Khoja accuses Scotland Yard of refusing to guarantee that he would not have to handle pork, which is forbidden in Islam.

He said it was suggested he wear gloves when cooking pork products.

Religious Discrimination
Expecting someone to do his or her job does not equal religious discrimination. If that person’s religion interferes with the job position, the person in question ought to look for a job in a different field or environment.

Comments & resources by ReligionNewsBlog.com

The 60-year-old claims the problem began when he was asked to move from his position as senior catering manager at Hendon Police College in North London, where he had been excused from touching pork.

In his new role at the Empress State Building in West London, which is occupied by Metropolitan Police staff, he was expected to make ‘999 breakfasts’ consisting of sausage, bacon and black pudding.

The meal got its nickname because it is traditional for officers to insist on hearty fry-ups before starting their shift.

Mr Khoja, who joined the Met in 2005, said he was placed on special unpaid leave for a year after refusing to work without the guarantee he would not have to handle pork.

He is now back at work at another Met building where he does not have to handle pork but has been downgraded to higher catering manager.

Mr Khoja, from Edgware, North London, said yesterday: ‘I felt very unhappy about it. I was very upset and angry because it is not permissible in my religion. I was threatened that management would sack me if I did not follow instructions. But I never enrolled to cook pork. I refused to do it. I never did it and I never would.

‘I had a letter from the human resources department saying that I would not be required to cook any pork. But this was not exactly what I wanted as a guarantee. The Met has shown no sensitivity towards my religion. Their response has been illthought and discriminatory.’

He added: ‘My original contract did not include any kind of cooking. I was hired as a senior catering manager.

‘I protested at the move and at having to cook pork. I was placed on paid special leave for a year. No Muslim in my position should have to face such harassment.’

Mr Khoja, who also sits on a Foods Standards Agency advisory committee on Muslim issues, is taking the Met to an employment tribunal which is expected to be heard next May.

An informal agreement was reached in June excusing him from handling pork but Mr Khoja, who began his claim last year, wants it to be formalised.

His case is the latest in a string of race discrimination rows to engulf the Met in recent months, which contributed to the resignation of Sir Ian Blair.

Britain’s most senior Muslim officer, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, has accused the force of racial discrimination and the National Black Police Association has urged people from ethnic minorities not to join.
[…]

The Met denies Mr Khoja’s claim of religious discrimination.

– Source: Muslim chef sues Met police after being asked to cook sausages and bacon for ‘999 breakfasts’, Charlotte Gill, Daily Mail (UK), Nov. 2, 2008 — Summarized by Religion News Blog

Muslim sues Met after being told to fry bacon

Pakistani-born Mr Khoja, from Edgware, north London, says that he was placed on paid special leave for a year after refusing to work without a guarantee.

Mr Khoja, who joined the Met in 2005, is being supported in his claim by the Association of Muslim Police.

His lawyer, Khalid Sofi, said there was an ‘important issue of principle at stake’.

He said: ‘This is far from a trivial claim. It is fundamental to Mr Khoja’s beliefs that he should not handle pork. The Met could easily have met his demands.’

Mr Khoja’s case is the latest in a string of damaging discrimination claims made against the Met.

Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur was suspended in September after claiming £1.2million.

The case is scheduled to be heard at Watford employment tribunal in May.

– Source: Muslim sues Met after being told to fry bacon, Metro (UK), Nov. 2, 2008 — Summarized by Religion News Blog

Source

(Listed if other than Religion News Blog, or if not shown above)

Religion News Blog posted this on Tuesday November 4, 2008.
Last updated if a date shows here:

   

More About This Subject

AFFILIATE LINKS

Our website includes affiliate links, which means we get a small commission -- at no additional cost to you -- for each qualifying purpose. For instance, as an Amazon Associate, Religion News Blog earns from qualifying purchases. That is one reason why we can provide this research service free of charge.

Speaking of which: One way in which you can support us — at no additional cost to you — is by shopping at Amazon.com.