“Master of Kuffar Laws” on the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003
Readers will be aware of the impact of the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 which, as amended, appears to protect a philosophical belief in the importance of combatting climate change, within the context of an employment relationship.
There is a helpful casenote on the judgement, written by Makbool Javaid, head of employment law at Simons Muirhead and Burton. Makbool explains:
A philosophical belief must have a similar status to a religious belief, but does not have to be shared by others or be a fully-developed system of thought that governs the whole of a person’s life. The EAT added that while a belief in a political philosophy or doctrine – such as socialism, Marxism, communism or capitalism – could qualify, protection would not be given to homophobic or racist political philosophies as these would not meet the criterion of being “worthy of respect in a democratic society”.
This is great news for environmentalists.
It is bad news for supporters of Al Muhajiroun, however, who would fail that test.
Here he the man who describes himself as Master of Kuffar Laws, calling non Muslims “kuffar”
Makbool Javaid’s name also appeared – in February 1998 – on a fatwa declaring jihad – by all means including military – against the UK and the US. That sort of belief, however heartfelt, is also unlikely to be protected under the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003.
Comments
| 10 November 2009, 9:50 pm |
“I do not think I can take much more of this Lucy. But thanks for the good work.”
Seconded.
| 10 November 2009, 10:20 pm |
Seconded.
Stuff and nonsense. Surely this Makbool Javaid fellow must be yet another sterling exemplar of that Vast Majority of Moderate Muslims(TM) so beloved of this blog? We need Brownie to come by shortly and tag this under “Anti-Muslim Bigotry”.
| 10 November 2009, 10:41 pm |
Brownie has a great deal more good sense than most of the commenters on this blog (and some of the posters). He’s wittier, too. It’s a shame we hear so little from him nowadays.
| 10 November 2009, 10:56 pm |
How is this great news for environmentalists (or anyone else)? Having the courts rule that environmentalist beliefs are akin to a religion simply hands their opponents another stick to beat them with. Now the opponents of climate change legislation can argue that environmentalism has no more rational basis than any other mumbo-jumbo you might find in some sect’s holy book or another. That is the clear implication of the courts ruling, even if that isn’t understood by those short-sighted enough today to realize it.
| 11 November 2009, 12:44 am |
Why are “homophobic or racist political philosophies” not “worthy of respect in a democratic society”? It sounds as if the EAT can’t defend this idea and so it issues a fatwa to ensure that everyone must accept its own view of society.
| 11 November 2009, 1:51 am |
Just deport him to Saudi Arabia or his ethnic birthplace.
Problem solved.
| 11 November 2009, 1:58 am |
My understanding is that the Religion or Belief Regulations protect, er… religions or beliefs.
I guess that means that while the “worthy of respect in a democratic society” platitudinous drivel applies to beliefs, religions don’t need to pass this test. A religion can be as offensive and homophobic as it likes and still be protected.
Lawyers please confirm or correct? Most grateful.
| 11 November 2009, 2:56 am |
The word Kuffar is hate speech no better than “nigger”!
| 11 November 2009, 3:33 am |
“The word Kuffar is hate speech no better than “nigger”! Ah, but “Kuffar” is a term of abuse used by people with brown faces (for the most part) which makes it alright. Josh Scholar: you aren’t quite up to speed on the rules of political correctness, are you?
I do not think I can take much more of this Lucy. But thanks for the good work. (This page appears to be being eaten by an advertisement for ‘Smokey Sausages’ … In case the lawyers are reading this I am sure the sauasges are quite delicious.)