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Muslim gets payout over 'terrorist' card
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent10.09.08
A Muslim IT programmer agreed to a cash settlement after telling a tribunal colleagues gave him a 40th birthday card saying "too old to be a terrorist" and said his praying was "disgusting".
Omar Fikri, 42, of Dartford, Kent, told the hearing he was horrified at being given the card in March 2006 at freight firm Davies Turner, also in Dartford.
He agreed to the out-of-court settlement, believed to be £20,000, on the first day of the race and religious discrimination hearing in Ashford. "I don't mind some jokes about terrorism, but there are limits," he told the hearing.
Co-worker Sam Low said the card was meant in jest. "It was because he was 40 but it was just a joke," he said. The tribunal also heard Mr Low shouted at Mr Fikri for not answering a phone while he prayed at work in October last year.
Mr Fikri said: "I did it near my desk because I was working through my lunch. He racially abused me, saying my praying was 'disgusting'."
Mr Low disputed the racial element. "He ignored me - that's what made me angry, not the fact he was praying," he said. Mr Fikri was dismissed on 21 April. He claimed this was because he had started proceedings against the firm.
Reader views (8)
Oh my god this man clearly does not want to work a 9-5 job, not matter what religion you are if you want to pray you would do this in private where you have peace & quite a place where you can pay respect to your god, not in a office where phones continuously ringing and people walking around you. Every company states you are entitled to a 1 hour lunch break what you do in that time is down to you he choose to work instead of take the time to pray in private - what was more important to him???? praying or creating a plan so he can sue the company who gave him the job....when he goes to a mosque does he answer his phone!!!! I THINK NOT
- Lucy, london
This country should find ways to convert to 100% secularism. Either christian, or muslim, or taoist, buddhist,etc.etc. it doesn't make any difference. Religion is religion. And when it comes to discrimination, offense, abuse, it somehow happens anyway. Religion shouldn't be a part of public / state / government life and work environment. It should only be a part of one's private life.
- P.Foster, London
In response to Kate's comment regarding "he is paid to work" did she not read what the article said: "I did it near my desk because I was working through my lunch. He racially abused me, saying my praying was 'disgusting'." I don't know what slave pits Kate thinks people should work in. People have time off in their lunch breaks, as they do when they go off to grap a hot drink or for a smoke, and in any case nothing justifies calling someones prayer disgusting.
- W Joseph, London, England
What a pile of rubbish.
Why go all the way to court then ask for a settlement on the first day - something not right there. Sounds like the court case fell through because the allegations were complete crap to me!!! Well done Mr Lowe for standing up for yourself against the mad Muslim. I bet the vast majority of genuine muslims are saddend that people like this give all muslims a bad name. And he IS to old to be a 'terrorist' - whats the problem?
- Kris Kristoferson, Darkfen, Isle of Remourse
"Co-worker Sam Low said the card was meant in jest. 'It as because he was 40 but it was just a joke'. Mr Fikri should have added age discrimination to his claim.
- Austen, London
He is paid to work - not to pray, so yes, he should have answered the phone. It is getting so tedious the amount of allegations for racism against muslims. I wonder if there is such a law as racism against christians??
- Kate, London
Muslim blah blah blah racial abuse etc etc etc payout blah blah terrorist blah blah.
- Squiz, Islington
"Mr Fikri was dismissed on 21 April. He claimed this was because he had started proceedings against the firm."?????
How can you expect to stay in your job if you are suing your employers? It beggars belief! What reality do these Muslims operate in?
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
