'Get off my bus, I need to pray' story made up!

[Ibtisam]

That was the headline to an article in the Sun, which informed its readers that "a Muslim bus driver told stunned passengers to get off so he could PRAY. The white Islamic convert rolled out his prayer mat in the aisle and knelt on the floor facing Mecca. Passengers watched in amazement as he held out his palms towards the sky, bowed his head and began to chant."

 

This story, along with the accompanying video clip, was widely circulated around the right-wing blogosphere, where it was presented as yet another example of the "Islamification" of the West. The Freethinker took it as conclusive proof that "the lunacy that is Islam has now insinuated itself into Britain's public transport system". Dhimmi Watch introduced the Sun report as a case "from our ever-expanding You Can't Make This Stuff Up file".

 

Except that in reality, and predictably, it turns out that the story was made up. The Slough and Windsor Observer reports:

 

"London United Busways say they have carried out a full investigation after driver Arunas Raulynaitis rolled out his prayer mat to perform his daily prayers, facing Mecca on the number 81 bus in Langley. Bosses have analysed evidence, including CCTV footage, and say the driver was actually on his 10-minute break when the incident took place at around 1.30pm on Thursday.

 

"They added that the control room had in fact radioed Mr Raulynaitis to terminate the bus outside Langley Fire Station in London Road because it was running late due to road works. Passengers were asked to leave the vehicle while they waited for another bus to pick them up to complete their journey.

 

"Steffan Evans, spokesman for London United Busways, said: 'The bus was delayed and by the time it had reached Langley the next bus on the route had caught up. At this point the bus service controller decided that in order to maintain the frequency of the buses he would curtail the late bus, and therefore instructed the driver to transfer his passengers in order that they could continue their journey without any further delay'."

 

Of course, this doesn't prevent the paper from heading its article "Bosses defend Muslim who stopped the 81 bus to pray" .

 

Source: http://www.islamophobia-watch.com

[Fabregas]

Dad ba aflagaadeyey the non existant white convert.....tolow do u get sin for backbiting some who doesn't exist, but you think exists? ALlahu Yaclam! Bless the Sun, eh?

[Ibtisam]

^^^He does exist, and he did pray, just in his break, rather than kicking peopl off the bus. So yes those who were insulting him should send the brother and e-mail and ask for forgiveness. I can provide the e-mail address if anyone wants to.

[Thierry.]

No harm in that the brother had a couple of minutes before he started driving again so he prayed in case he missed the salat and rightly so.

 

The good old media doing a "Fine" job again

[Haneefah]

Shame on the English press. All this for instigating further Islamophobia?

 

*waves at Ibti wondering how exams are treating her*

[Emperor]

I knew there was something nuky with the story, Ibti thanks for the update the clarification...

[Jacaylbaro]

show been bay nagu wareeriyeen ,,,,,,,

[N.O.R.F]

I had a feeling there was more to it.

[Jacaylbaro]

when the incident took place at around 1.30pm on Thursday

Incident ???? ,,,,,,

[BORN_BRANIAC]

Despite the whole issue, this guy knew from the day he started this job it will some how effect with his praying time.. So I understand he is being a good devoted Muslim but his schedule is usually consistent, so he can always find a way to pray or takes his break at the prayer time… There are a flexibility some how, if he knew that some days he will have not time to pray he could have combined two prayers at a time… so really ppl make a big deal on this that it should have not been in the first place.

[Ibtisam]

^^^Did I miss something somehow??^ The brother was on his break, he can do as he pleases without making national headlines.

 

P.s. You cannot combin two prayers everyday to fit into your life, every prayer has its time, make your day fit around it.

[Jacaylbaro]

Born, You cannot combine two prayers unless you are on a trip (or traveller) ,,,,

[BORN_BRANIAC]

^^^True true but we are talking about time consideration, Allah made comfort for us with prayer, like when a person is hurt can pray sitting, or with eyes etc. but we are talking about a devoted muslim here who seems that he prays on time and never misses a prayer. So what else should he do, one this is for sure is to QUIT that’s about it… again he sure have thought about time conflict before he excepted this job.

[Fabregas]

waxbaad isku dhex qaystay. What's wrong wit praying on ur break

[BORN_BRANIAC]

MY bad i didn't know he was on his break.... chill out IBTISAM...