Banker charged with blasphemy for allegedly insulting Muslim colleague in Dubai
Police take action after colleague accuses boss of making religious slurs, blaming Muslims for terror attacks
PHOTO: REUTERS
A senior bank manager was arrested last week after a Muslim colleague filed a complaint accusing him of blasphemy, according to Xpress.
ED, from Goa in India, was taken into custody by police on June 7, just a few hours after the incident at the Bur Dubai branch of a local bank.
The accused was held at al Raffa Police Station before being released on bail.
TA, the complainant, 30, from Bangalore in India, alleged that his boss made religious slurs against him, as well as ridiculing Islam after TA requested leave to go to Makkah for Umrah.
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TA told the police that during the morning huddle, in front of several staff members, ED mocked him by making a quip about his leave request.
“I was shocked but I kept my cool and told my boss that he had no right to make blasphemous comments against my religion, but he remained unrepentant and went on to blame Muslims for terror attacks including the recent one in London," he added.
"He also made jibes at my appearance, particularly my bloodshot eyes. ED said they make me look as if I was drunk," TA said.
He said that he told his boss that they were caused by lack of sleep during Ramadan.
"ED, however, refused to listen and said Ramadan was a month of giving, but all that I gave him during the month was pain. The very same day I filed a police complaint against him.”
TA said several senior staffers of the bank have urged him to forgive the man and withdraw the police complaint, but he has not heeded to their requests.
“Ramadan is a time for piety and forgiveness but certain acts deserve no mercy,” he said.
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Responding to a query, the bank in question said the issue was a “private matter between two individuals” adding that the police were handling the case.
Under the country's Anti-Discriminatory Law, any acts that stoke religious hatred or which insult religion through any form of expression are criminalised.
Penalties include jail terms ranging from six months to more than 10 years with fines from Dh50,000 up to Dh2 million.
ED, from Goa in India, was taken into custody by police on June 7, just a few hours after the incident at the Bur Dubai branch of a local bank.
The accused was held at al Raffa Police Station before being released on bail.
TA, the complainant, 30, from Bangalore in India, alleged that his boss made religious slurs against him, as well as ridiculing Islam after TA requested leave to go to Makkah for Umrah.
Police register blasphemy case over Hindu temple attack in Thatta
TA told the police that during the morning huddle, in front of several staff members, ED mocked him by making a quip about his leave request.
“I was shocked but I kept my cool and told my boss that he had no right to make blasphemous comments against my religion, but he remained unrepentant and went on to blame Muslims for terror attacks including the recent one in London," he added.
"He also made jibes at my appearance, particularly my bloodshot eyes. ED said they make me look as if I was drunk," TA said.
He said that he told his boss that they were caused by lack of sleep during Ramadan.
"ED, however, refused to listen and said Ramadan was a month of giving, but all that I gave him during the month was pain. The very same day I filed a police complaint against him.”
TA said several senior staffers of the bank have urged him to forgive the man and withdraw the police complaint, but he has not heeded to their requests.
“Ramadan is a time for piety and forgiveness but certain acts deserve no mercy,” he said.
Mardan university student accused of blasphemy beaten to death on campus
Responding to a query, the bank in question said the issue was a “private matter between two individuals” adding that the police were handling the case.
Under the country's Anti-Discriminatory Law, any acts that stoke religious hatred or which insult religion through any form of expression are criminalised.
Penalties include jail terms ranging from six months to more than 10 years with fines from Dh50,000 up to Dh2 million.