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Guide dogs not haram, rules Shariah

1/ 2/2003

THE Shariah Council has lifted any ban on guide dogs used by the disabled.

It ruled that guide dogs can accompany disabled people into restaurants or taxis managed or driven by Muslims.

The council also decided that disabled Muslims can use guide dogs because such highly trained animals are essential to the independence of a disabled person.

In Islam dogs are considered to be unclean animals and Muslims are not allowed to keep them as pets. Traditionally many Muslims would not allow dogs onto their premises and would often turn people with dogs away.

Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission Bert Massie, said: "Disabled Muslim people will welcome this guidance from the Shariah Council as it will help prevent any form of discrimination against people with guide dogs. There have been cases where, for example, a taxi driver has been unwilling to carry a guide dog due to religious observance.

"Normally these issues are resolved amicably, however, we thought it was wise to clarify the issue, as these instances are likely to occur in the future. With two million Muslims in Great Britain, many running businesses in the service sector, this represents an important ruling with potentially far-reaching effects."

Lord Nazir Ahmed, a Muslim spokesman in the House of Lords, has welcomed the guidance.

He said: "Islam is a religion that cares for people. Although it is not encouraged to keep a dog in the house, if the dog is owned for reasons of safety then it is permitted. When a disabled person is accompanied by a trained dog, such a dog becomes a blind person's eyes, and therefore, such a dog should not be stopped from entering with a blind person."