7.29.2010

Today at around 5.30 am while driving on Madison Ave and 50^th St..I was hailed by a very good looking well dressed, well groomed gentleman who seems to be going to work. As I was close to him he  tried to tell me that he does not want me to stop . But I stopped and told him, ” Sir you hailed me and here I am..” “ I don’t want to use your taxi,” he said, I was very surprised to hear that as in this few months of driving Yellow Taxi no one ever did that. First I thought that he might have some leg injury so my Brand New SUV is too high for him as it happens frequently that older people can not get in the cab because of its height..so I asked, “Sir, do you have any injury which prevents you from getting into my high cab..?” he said ,” No”..I became kind of confused and wanted the right answer. Since it was early morning and there was no cab coming by I asked him, “ Would you please  tell me the reason please..?” Then he said something for what I was not prepared for. He told me that the roof advertising for an adult club is the reason. He believes that this kinds of advertising promotes  Prostitution. He also asked me, “ Are you a Muslim..?’ I said, Yes”…Then you are promoting prostitution. “ He  accused  me..I told him, “: Sir..you got to be kidding..I didn’t even notice  the ad..and  Sir, in this early morning when there is no cab as well as passenger on the streets..if I miss you then who knows may be I will not get a passenger for half an hour or more..which one is more important..Humanity or just your alleged accusation..?…Since there was no cab coming and I really wanted to give him my piece of mind..I told him ,” people like you who preaches  all this purity but I can guaranty you that given a chance…you will be the first one in the line to go to brothel. Come on be realistic…you  are putting religion before me supporting my family, bring food on the table, remember  religion is for us, we are not for religion.”  Surprisingly he shook his head and before he answered a cab came and he got on that cab and gone.

Throughout the whole day I talked this experience with my passengers, fellow cab drivers in the airport ..no one ever heard something like this.  One passenger even told me. “ people like him give you Muslim bad name. We all know only about 20 people did the unthinkable in 9/11 but you more than Billion Muslims pay for the crime. Can you blame American for having negative attitude  towards Muslims..?

What could I say..? He hit the bulls eye.