News

SEND YOUR NEWSWORTHY VIDEOS TO VIDEOS@NEWSTALK1010.COM

Barber Shop Refuses Service to Woman For Religious Reasons

Posted By: Michelle Rosa · 11/15/2012 6:00:00 AM

A human rights case for the ages and it's unfolding right here in Toronto.

This is the story of Faith McGregor who went into the Terminal Barber Shop on Bay Street in June to get a men's-style haircut. The owner refused to do it.

Omar Mahrouk told her he is Muslim and his faith prohibits him from touching any woman who is not a member of his family. The other barbers said they too are Muslim.

McGregor has taken this to the Ontario Human Rights Commission claiming discrimination on the basis of gender.

The spokesman for the Commissioner Pascale Demers is quoted by the Star as saying "there's no hierarchy of rights under the legislation, so it's not about one right necessarily trumping the other. Demers believes this case could set an important precedent because as Ontario's population continues to diversify, she says "these things are bound to happen."

Mahrouk has said that if he is forced to cut women's hair, he will have to change his profession in order to accommodate his religion.

(files by D. Agar)

Leave a comment:

showing all comments · Subscribe to comments
Comment Like
  • 53
  1. Lou posted on 11/15/2012 06:12 AM
    so... based on the justification from the barber to not touch a non-family female, how does this religious justification apply to other proffessions? Based on the justification given by the barber, does this mean that a doctor or nurse or others can also refuse to treat a female patients?
    1. aj posted on 11/15/2012 08:21 AM
      @Lou very well said.
    2. barb posted on 11/15/2012 09:10 AM
      @Lou I agree.....Very well put! When will this madness end and how much of this are we supposed to take!?!?
    show more replies
  2. Deena posted on 11/15/2012 07:40 AM
    I'm thinking that the answer is for muslim barbers to provide a female barber.
    1. Ziggy posted on 11/15/2012 08:13 AM
      @Deena I'm thinnking the answer was to make a single pass down the middle of her head with the clippers. Then charge her $30. It would be the last time she went there for a haircut.
  3. justin mix posted on 11/15/2012 07:51 AM
    Another opportunity for us to build a mountain out of a molehill. We're getting better at it these days. Of course they're no other barbers in town, eh Faith? Who's pushing who's buttons? Let's stop fighting over these minimal issues.
  4. proton posted on 11/15/2012 08:14 AM
    human rights commissions are kangaroo courts. to modify a phrase uttered by conrad black, there's more justice in north korea than the ontario human rights commission.

    the only determining authority for this should be our legitimate court system, if it's not already addressed
  5. aj posted on 11/15/2012 08:23 AM
    This is a perfect demonstration on why religion is obsolete and serves no purpose other than enslave the mind from free thinking.
    1. Anna Sophia posted on 11/15/2012 08:58 AM
      @aj You can't dictate what people should believe or practice but there should be more compromise that is within reason. I don't believe that churches should fund or promote things that go against their morality and ethics, though. However, when you run a business you should try to accommodate everyone :)
    show more replies
  6. Bettie Martindale posted on 11/15/2012 08:39 AM
    If all the barbers at that establishment are Muslim, has there been discriminatory employment too?
  7. Anna Sophia posted on 11/15/2012 08:55 AM
    Why didn't the barber hire someone that could cut other women's hair? Even if he had to make an appointment first so that he could call the person in when he needed them.
  8. Alex posted on 11/15/2012 09:03 AM
    Guys,

    Revenue Canada, Police and other bylaw enforcement bbodies should look at this Barber shop - it is clear Money laundry workshop - how many woman they should have in their family in order to pay taxes and to leave on the rest?
  9. Adam posted on 11/15/2012 09:21 AM
    It's my very basic freedom, not to serve someone I don't want to in my business. Whatever the reason, if I don't like their clothes, haircut, gender or skin colour.
    1. barb posted on 11/15/2012 10:02 AM
      @Adam No Adam, it is not your basic right to refuse service on the basis of gender or skin colour. I would love to see how it would fly if a business, governement agency, cab etc., employment ooportunity, docotr or lawyer refuse someone on the bais of their colour or gender or clothing for that matter. Lawsuits would be flying! Where have you been political correctness is the order of the day and this woman has every right to be upset. This is Canada and we don't discriminate....it is against the law! We bend to respect other religions and beliefs it needs to be reciprocated.
    2. calvinhc posted on 11/15/2012 10:04 AM
      @Adam Damn right!

      Now, if restricting who you will serve limits your income to a level below what you need, you will have to reconsider who you do business with. That is what letting the market decide is all about.
    show more replies
  10. Zane posted on 11/15/2012 10:34 AM
    Let me say that I am Roman Catholic, and try to respect everyone's faith; I'm also a believer that people should be able to marry whomever they want (in case someone thinks I'm biased against gays).

    I think we live in a time in which people are so easily offended. If they're not willing to cut her hair at this barber shop, then she should just take her business to another barber shop that will; the barber shop is the one that loses out in the end.

    I cant even believe this is in the headlines?
    1. barb posted on 11/15/2012 11:31 AM
      @Zane It is probably in the headlines because if a non Muslim hairstylist or business owner refused service to someone wearing a hijab or berka it would be in the news and politicians, other Muslims would be crying, bloody blue murder and racism. It is in the news because essentially it is reverse racism and it needs to be in the news! If I walk into a business establishment I expect to be served and treated with courtesy. Religion, beliefs should be put aside when it comes to everday business, service etc.It's all well and good to be open minded and respect others for their relgion etc. but as I said before it needs to be reciprocated.
    show more replies
  11. mz posted on 11/15/2012 11:41 AM
    The stupidity of this woman is over 9000.
    1. barb posted on 11/15/2012 12:01 PM
      @mz Why is that? Just wondering!
    2. Sharon Nurse posted on 11/15/2012 12:04 PM
      @mz Canadians continually change to make others feel comfortable, we have stopped saying the lords prayer, don't have Christmas concerts, and our historic mounties uniform has changed over the years. The basis of what made us Canadian continually changes to benefit others. I know when I am in another country, I have to follow their laws. I am a proud Canadian, proud of our heritage, proud of the multi-culture we have, I am proud of the people who have fought for me to have the freedom I have today. Maybe this woman could have gone somewhere else, but honestly why should she have to?
    show more replies
  12. Donna Johnson posted on 11/15/2012 02:00 PM
    I understand that this woman could have gone to another establishment and given them her money. However I feel that all this religious interpretation is insulting to every woman and man that has fought for equality rights in this country.
    We should not tolerate this ignorant, third world nonsense in North America. What tolerance has tought us in other countries is that it doesn't stop at one instance it is accumulative. Soon there will be whole malls and then neighborhoods that adhere to this Muslim ideology. NO WOMEN ALOAD – YOU ARE UNCLEAN
    1. mz posted on 11/15/2012 02:50 PM
      @Donna Johnson You are so very wrong and your argument is fallacious. Your portrayal of 'muslim ideology' as being "women are unclean" is quiet flawed that is actually a judeo-christian idea from way back when, please read a history book. I sure
    show more replies
  13. that posted on 11/15/2012 07:32 PM
    Good for her , I think they should be forced to put a sign up . What a bunch of cow dung. I hope they get served hard...
  14. Stug posted on 11/15/2012 11:22 PM
    so none of these married guys have affairs with women? haha.. yeah!
  15. Seriously posted on 11/16/2012 05:26 AM
    This is a fantastic use of our time!

    Especially because:

    Once this is done we can sue all the women-only fitness businesses who deny business to men because they are men.
  16. kaspurr posted on 11/17/2012 08:03 PM
    This is nothing more nor less about than an extremely insecure man hating feminazi.
  17. kaspurr posted on 11/17/2012 08:47 PM
    This women is wasting our tax paying dollars to support an agenda. She cannot possibly win this for that would mean all businesses which are women only or men only would have to change. Why are so many people today so insecure. Lets face it, just because a place is just for women or for men doesn't mean we are being discriminated against. McGregor is merely stirring the pot for the sake of extreme feminism, sexism, gayism etc.
showing all comments

Videos

Top Stories

Trending