Echoes of footbaths at MCTC.
My email to Mr. David Dawson of the Indianapolis Airport Commission, from a story at Dhimmi Watch and The Indianapolis Star.
Mr. Dawson,
It has come to my attention that foot baths will be installed at the Indianapolis International Airport to satisfy a Muslim religious ritual. The reason given, apparently, is for safety and sanitary reasons. Why should the taxpayers of the State of Indiana (and possibly US taxpayers if Federal monies are used) subsidize an accommodation for the Muslim religion specifically [1] – when, for example, Orthodox Jews will not have a mikvah or separate prayer areas for men and women; Catholic Christians not have holy water available; or Protestant Christians not have an area for Baptisms? I state the latter example for illustration only: such accommodations for other specific religions would be a prima facie violation of the Indiana Constitution. [2]
Can you explain why your agency will not enforce applicable health codes and inform the Muslim cab drivers not to use the sinks for purposes not intended; that they must make other accommodations for their religious rituals upon consultation with their Imams; if such violations persist they will be subject to legal action; and that under law there can be no preference made to any specific religious belief? [3]
If I ever find myself at your airport and I cannot locate an accommodation for my own religious beliefs, or if I – of the Jewish religion – am prevented from using the footbath area or prayer room because of monopolization by the Muslims who you apparently favor, I will commence legal action against the Airport and whoever is directly or vicariously responsible for the violation of the Indiana Code. [4]
I hope, for all parties concerned, that day never arrives.
Sincerely,
[redacted]
Minneapolis, Minnesotacc: Mr. Lacy Johnson, President, Indianapolis Airport Authority
Mr. Gregory Scott, Director, Indiana Civil Rights Commission[1] “[N]o person shall be compelled to attend, erect, or support, any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry, against his consent”. Indiana Constitution, Sec. 4.
[2] “No preference shall be given, by law, to any creed, religious society, or mode of worship”. Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] “A person who knowingly or intentionally denies to another person, because of…religion…the full and equal use of the services, facilities, or goods in…an establishment that caters or offers its services, facilities, or goods to the general public…commits a civil rights violation, a Class B misdemeanor.” Violation of civil rights, Indiana Code 35-46-2-1, Section 1.
Update, April 7: Mr. Dawson responds and does not answer.
Mr. [redacted]:
This is to acknowledge your note from Friday. To address your concerns, I want to make sure that you understand what is being built in the new airport complex. The complex includes a taxi/bus staging area located at some distance from the new terminal. That area is where taxi drivers will wait until it is their turn to pick up a fare at the terminal.
At the staging area will be located a small building of approximately 900 square feet. It will contain a break room, a vending area and restrooms.
In each of the two restrooms, there will be a ground-level sink with hot and cold water and a drain. These have been designed in response to the observed behavior in the current taxi staging area of people washing their feet in the hand-level sinks. This has created an issue of health and safety which we believe can be addressed by installing floor-level sinks.
Taxi drivers pay $1,000 a year each for a permit to service the airport. No tax dollars are used to finance the staging area.
–
David Dawson
Sorry, Dave. Not good enough. I counter:
Mr. Dawson,
Thank you for replying.
Though you have answered my email, using “health and safety” as a justification for the installation of devices to allow a ritual of a specific religion [1] is not a legitimate reason for the diversion money and resources intended for the operation of a public airport. I reiterate my question: Why did the Airport Authority not enforce current health codes and stop the violation of law? Why has the Authority chosen, instead, to reward unlawful behavior with the funding of foot baths to comply with a religious ritual?
You state that “[t]axi drivers pay $1,000 a year each for a permit to service the airport. No tax dollars are used to finance the staging area”.
The fees of which you speak are payable to Indianapolis Airport Commission with the consent the People of the State of Indiana through their elected Representatives. [2] Instead of going to the general operation of the airport, the monies are being diverted for use in an Islamic religious ritual. [3] The Airport Authority – an agency of the Executive Branch – is, in effect, using funds that would normally be directed to airport operations to be used for support the religion of Islam. Grants of funds, whether Federal, public, or private, must also “comply with all federal and state laws pertaining to the acquisition, development, operation, and administration of airports and properties by the authority”. [4]
Your answer is far from satisfactory, your legal justification weak or non-existent. That being said, please address my points as noted. It is my hope this situation will be remedied before it affects other areas of the United States and our civil society at large.
Thank you again for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[redacted]
Minneapolis, MNcc: Mr. Lacy Johnson, President, Indianapolis Airport Authority
Mr. Gregory Scott, Director, Indiana Civil Rights Commission[1] In this case, it is the Islam.
[2] See, generally, Indiana Code 8-22-3, Local Airport Authorities.
[3] Wudu. The ritual of washing before prescribed Islamic prayers. One must note, at this point, why there are no provisions for a Mezuzah to be placed at the doorways to the taxi facility, no vessels containing Holy Water for Catholic Christians placed at the entrances, and why there are no like provisions for Buddhist shrines in the taxi staging area, etc.
[4] Indiana Code 8-22-3-31, Federal, public, or private grants of funds.
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