A Queensland restaurant starts enormous controversy over their prohibition of Muslims in their premi - Polidicks

[IMG]http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/5984404-3x2-700x467.jpg[/IMG] [QUOTE]I did not encourage or envisage the social media response to this sign, but the story, if there is one, is in the reaction, not the action. John Hawkes, restaurant owner[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]The mayor of a Queensland town where a restaurant attracted controversy by displaying a sign saying "sorry no Muslims" has described the incident as unfortunate. An image of the sign, displayed outside Longreach's Eagles Nest Bar and Grill, was posted to the restaurant's Facebook page last Friday. "Just a bit surprised to see the sign up 'sorry no Muslims' ... what's that about???" the author of the post, Helen Day, wrote. The line was written at the bottom of the sign, which also read: "2000 years ago Jesus Christ made headlines turning water into wine ... the tradition continues ...We turn money into beer (sorry no Muslims)." The post sparked mixed reactions on the restaurant's Facebook page, with users divided between praise and condemnation. She also expressed her disappointment about the sign in a post on ABC Open. "Unfortunately, I do not believe when the owner chalked these three words up on his board there was that much thought about whether he would recognise a Muslim or not," Ms Day wrote. "Anyone who looks like the stereotype will not be allowed in regardless if they are Muslim or not. "Targeting minority groups such as Muslims would not have as much impact on the profits. "It is extremely sad that a business in Longreach has appeared to react to the Sydney siege by not allowing Muslims to come into his establishment whereas Sydney's reaction - #Illridewithyou - has drawn all the communities together. "I will await the conclusion of this disappointing story."[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-22/longreach-restaurant-stirs-controversy-with-no-muslims-sign/5984332[/url]

Snip: I'm a dick, and I didn't read my own source well enough. Plus other laws are on the books to prevent this. Rack up the boxes.

[QUOTE=valkery;46775112]His store, his rules. Like them or not, it's up to him as to who he allows into his store. And besides, how will he know if you're Muslim unless you are wearing clothing that tells him or you walk in saying "I'm a Muslim." It's rude as all hell to do this, and especially since he's doing it to people who "fit the stereotype" regardless of their actual faith, but it's not illegal. [URL]https://www.accc.gov.au/business/anti-competitive-behaviour/refusal-to-supply-products-or-services[/URL] It's one store. If it were a group of stores all doing the same thing, it'd be different, but you can go elsewhere for services if you don't like it. Teach him a lesson through his wallet.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]When refusing to supply is breaking the law There are a few circumstances, where a suppliers' refusal to supply is breaking the law. This may occur when a supplier is: misusing their market power involved in a boycott imposing minimum resale prices on retailers engaging in exclusive dealing [B]acting unconscionably.[/B][/QUOTE] Which is defined by the commonwealth as [QUOTE]Unconscionable conduct is generally understood to mean conduct which is so harsh that it goes against good conscience. Under the Australian Consumer Law, businesses must not engage in unconscionable conduct, when dealing with other businesses or their customers[/QUOTE] I'd say he's breaking that pretty well

[QUOTE=valkery;46775112]His store, his rules. Like them or not, it's up to him as to who he allows into his store. And besides, how will he know if you're Muslim unless you are wearing clothing that tells him or you walk in saying "I'm a Muslim." It's rude as all hell to do this, and especially since he's doing it to people who "fit the stereotype" regardless of their actual faith, but it's not illegal. [url]https://www.accc.gov.au/business/anti-competitive-behaviour/refusal-to-supply-products-or-services[/url] It's one store. If it were a group of stores all doing the same thing, it'd be different, but you can go elsewhere for services if you don't like it. Teach him a lesson through his wallet.[/QUOTE] Still a dick move.

[QUOTE=fruxodaily;46775132]Which is defined by the commonwealth as I'd say he's breaking that pretty well[/QUOTE] Even if its not breaking consumer law, its breaking the [URL="https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/know-your-rights-racial-discrimination-and-vilification"]Racial Discrimination Act[/URL]. [QUOTE] What does the Racial Discrimination Act do? The Act protects you against discrimination in many areas of public life, including: Getting or using services – such as banking and insurance services, services provided by government departments, transport or telecommunication services, professional services like those provided by lawyers, doctors or tradespeople, services provided by restaurants, shops or entertainment venues[/QUOTE]

It seems like the "Sorry no Muslims" is referring to the beer, a reference to the common belief that Muslims don't drink alcohol. It doesn't say Muslims aren't allowed into the establishment. Shame on the owner for making such a vague statement targeting a specific religion, but shame on the people readying their torches and pitchforks who are reading into this far more than they should.

[QUOTE=valkery;46775112]His store, his rules. Like them or not, it's up to him as to who he allows into his store. And besides, how will he know if you're Muslim unless you are wearing clothing that tells him or you walk in saying "I'm a Muslim." It's rude as all hell to do this, and especially since he's doing it to people who "fit the stereotype" regardless of their actual faith, but it's not illegal. [url]https://www.accc.gov.au/business/anti-competitive-behaviour/refusal-to-supply-products-or-services[/url] It's one store. If it were a group of stores all doing the same thing, it'd be different, but you can go elsewhere for services if you don't like it. Teach him a lesson through his wallet.[/QUOTE] Uh, aren't there supposed to be anti-discrimination laws against this sort of thing? You can't really say "his store his rules" when he's straight up breaking the law, or would be here in the states as far as I know.

Go ahead, say no to people willing to give your business cash. It's not like that's how businesses survive or anything :v:

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;46775178]Go ahead, say no to people willing to give your business cash. It's not like that's how businesses survive or anything :v:[/QUOTE] yes but it's kind of beside the point whether or not there's a cash guarantee for not being a racist

[QUOTE=Best4bond;46775160]Even if its not breaking consumer law, its breaking the [URL="https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/know-your-rights-racial-discrimination-and-vilification"]Racial Discrimination Act[/URL].[/QUOTE] It's a religion, not a race. Can't you tell the difference? What if it said, sorry no Christians? Would you deem that as racist?

[QUOTE=Killergam;46775294]It's a religion, not a race. Can't you tell the difference?[/QUOTE] Naw, he's right. This guy is discriminating on whether or not people "fit the stereotype" which can mean anything depending on his interpretation. Race and ethnic background are both protected, and will undoubtedly be used to discriminate in this store, so the guy is breaking that law as well as the one that I originally posted.

[QUOTE=Killergam;46775294]It's a religion, not a race. Can't you tell the difference? What if it said, sorry no Christians? Would you deem that as racist?[/QUOTE] Simmer down, there.

oh come on we both know the owner's not patting down ginger dudes looking for their Quran

[QUOTE=Kommodore;46775312]oh come on we both know the owner's not patting down ginger dudes looking for their Quran[/QUOTE] Kinky.

If people don't like it then don't go to the establishment. Instead all this drama just generates publicity for the restaurant and people who are like minded will go there. Any reasonable person will not, so it does not matter. The owner wins in the end.

[QUOTE=kidwithsword;46775163]It seems like the "Sorry no Muslims" is referring to the beer, a reference to the common belief that Muslims don't drink alcohol. It doesn't say Muslims aren't allowed into the establishment. Shame on the owner for making such a vague statement targeting a specific religion, but shame on the people readying their torches and pitchforks who are reading into this far more than they should.[/QUOTE] Could definitely be some kind of overreaction-- we should probably wait with the pitchforks for now.

[QUOTE=Killergam;46775294]It's a religion, not a race. Can't you tell the difference? What if it said, sorry no Christians? Would you deem that as racist?[/QUOTE] Most (islamophobic) people see Muslims as Arab aka brown but not brown enough to be sub saharan. If a white Bosniak walked in I doubt he would have any suspicions

[QUOTE=MR-X;46775370]If people don't like it then don't go to the establishment. Instead all this drama just generates publicity for the restaurant and people who are like minded will go there. Any reasonable person will not, so it does not matter. The owner wins in the end.[/QUOTE] or he gets fined for breaking anti-discrimination laws

[QUOTE=Kommodore;46775312]oh come on we both know the owner's not patting down ginger dudes looking for their Quran[/QUOTE] Funnily enough, a whole lot of the white guys who have left the UK to join ISIS seem to be gingers

[QUOTE=MR-X;46775370]If people don't like it then don't go to the establishment. Instead all this drama just generates publicity for the restaurant and people who are like minded will go there. Any reasonable person will not, so it does not matter. The owner wins in the end.[/QUOTE] We shouldn't tolerate evil just because it's convenient.

One of my friends pointed out on Facebook: [QUOTE]This little town is in the middle of nowhere in the centre of Queensland. I looked up the data from the last Census and confirmed there's literally not a single Muslim living in that area. In fact there's not much ethnic/cultural diversity at all... you're either Christian or not religious, the only boat people are Kiwis, and the most widely spoken languages other than English are Auslan (11 people) and Afrikaans (6 people). The restaurant owner must feel so brave and edgy barring non-existent hordes of alcohol-drinking Muslims from his establishment. Next time try it in Lakemba.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Killergam;46775294]It's a religion, not a race. Can't you tell the difference? What if it said, sorry no Christians? Would you deem that as racist?[/QUOTE] Bigots trying to worm their way out of being called bigots. No surprise there.

[QUOTE=Killergam;46775294]It's a religion, not a race. Can't you tell the difference? What if it said, sorry no Christians? Would you deem that as racist?[/QUOTE] Does it matter? This is a pointless semantics argument and quite honestly doesn't change much except [i]maybe[/i] excluding the Racial Discrimination Act simply by wording alone. It'd still fall under unconscionable conduct.

[QUOTE=MR-X;46775370]If people don't like it then don't go to the establishment. Instead all this drama just generates publicity for the restaurant and people who are like minded will go there. Any reasonable person will not, so it does not matter. The owner wins in the end.[/QUOTE] Your solution being let an asshole be an asshole and continue his discriminatory policy (not really sure what context he used it here, so take these as general statements) so we don't give him publicity? Well getting called out on your bullshit is just what this sort of situation needs. What is to be gained by burying your head in the sand and pretending this place does not exist.

For anyone saying this is not racist and that it isn't such a big deal, please read the whole article [QUOTE]"Anyone who looks like the stereotype will not be allowed in regardless if they are Muslim or not."[/QUOTE] That means, if you are brown and/or rocking a beard, then fuck off! I wonder how people would have reacted if the bar said "no black people" or "no homosexuals"

Fucking stupid move. Shouldn't have done that...

[QUOTE=Sokrates;46776235]For anyone saying this is not racist and that it isn't such a big deal, please read the whole article That means, if you are brown and/or rocking a beard, then fuck off! I wonder how people would have reacted if the bar said "no black people" or "no homosexuals"[/QUOTE] Homosexuals aren't a race, you can't discriminate against them!

[QUOTE=kidwithsword;46775163]It seems like the "Sorry no Muslims" is referring to the beer, a reference to the common belief that Muslims don't drink alcohol. It doesn't say Muslims aren't allowed into the establishment. Shame on the owner for making such a vague statement targeting a specific religion, but shame on the people readying their torches and pitchforks who are reading into this far more than they should.[/QUOTE] I agree with this, seems like people have just gotten on their high horse over a badly written joke. I believe I read it in the way the writer intended and did find it quite funny.

[QUOTE=RockmanYoshi;46775395]Most (islamophobic) people see Muslims as Arab aka brown but not brown enough to be sub saharan. If a white Bosniak walked in I doubt he would have any suspicions[/QUOTE] A "white" Bosniak, lol. There tends to be a difference in facial characteristics between a Muslim and Christian from Bosnia(and on Balkan in general), since Muslims tend to have a bit more Turkish blood in them, and Christians are mostly Slavs.

[QUOTE=AntonioR;46776748]A "white" Bosniak, lol. There tends to be a difference in facial characteristics between a Muslim and Christian from Bosnia(and on Balkan in general), since Muslims tend to have a bit more Turkish blood in them, and Christians are mostly Slavs.[/QUOTE] That may be the case but I don't expect Australian bar owners, or anyone outside of the Balkans for that matter, to be aware of these subtle differences since most Bosniaks I've seen have the pinkish white skin that's associated with Europeans.