REGARDING the visually impaired gentleman who was refused access to a caf� in Barking because he had his Guide Dog with him. There are a number of increasing incidents to suggest this far more common than many people realise, and this can be due to many

REGARDING the visually impaired gentleman who was refused access to a caf� in Barking because he had his Guide Dog with him.

There are a number of increasing incidents to suggest this far more common than many people realise, and this can be due to many different things.

First of all, if shop owners are of the Islamic Faith they believe dogs saliva to be impure and will be very reluctant to admit a dog onto their premises.

This is by no means a smaller matter to practicing Muslims, but should it override the Disability Discrimination Act and the Law of this Land?

Also practicing Muslims believe that a premises is deprived of the Mercy of Allah Taala and that Angels will not enter if a dog or a picture of a dog is on the premises.

This could be a reason why visually impaired people and their dogs are refused access to many shops in areas that have a high number of Muslim shopkeepers.

I understand this is a difficult situation to resolve.

Even with more publicity from the Guide Dogs for the Blind on this issue it is highly unlikely to procure a satisfactory outcome for all the people involved.

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