Muslim cabby refused to let woman to sit in the front seat for ‘religious reasons’

The stunned family confronted driver Tamsir Drammeh, who then said the husband could sit up front.

Drammeh, from New York, said that the woman couldn’t sit in the front with him because his religious beliefs forbid him to sit next to a woman.

The shocked family got out promptly and took down the number of the taxi.

The family reported the incident and Drammeh was slapped with a £250 ($350) fine for discrimination by a city judge.

The judge told the driver that he needed to set aside his beliefs when serving the public.

She said "his religion did not allow him to sit next to a woman is not an acceptable defence in an occupation that is operated to serve the public”.

She added: "Of significance, respondent made it clear that the husband would be welcome in the front seat, while the wife/complainant would not be.”

The manager of Drammeh’s garage said that there was no rule in Islam that said the driver could not sit next to a woman.

The manager said: "There's no such rule in Islam.

"He wouldn't have her in the front, but only if she is alone.”

Drammeh was fined in September and was suspended from his job for a day.

(dailystar.co.uk)