I read this story in the Herald yesterday, but can't find it on the Herald's online edition. Here's another version of it. www.indianexpress.com/news/man-let-off-for-cruide-remarks-due-to-restrictive-muslim-background/995952/
In a nutshell, this guy has escaped a sexual harassment charge by claiming that he didn't know he was being offensive because of the strictures of his religion and upbringing.
I think this verdict is both an insult to the women who were brave enough to speak out, and a massive slur on Muslim men in the workplace.
*Man let off for crude remarks due to 'restrictive Muslim background'
On Friday a British Asian pharmacist who made crude remarks to three woman colleagues was let off by an inquiry panel because he came from a 'restrictive Muslim background' and was unaware of the offence his conduct had caused.
Scotland-based pharmacist Khalil Jamil asked one of the women about her favourite love-making position and quizzed another about the mating habits of her horses, but a professional panel ruled his behaviour was not sexually motivated, the Daily Mail reported.
The General Pharmaceutical Council panel found Jamil acted inappropriately by making the comments and standing too close to his assistants.
However, they accepted that his background in a strict Muslim community meant he was unfamiliar to working in such an open environment with women and his basic social skills meant he lacked understanding of appropriate conduct, the report said.
As the remarks were not sexually motivated the panel cleared Jamil of misconduct and gave him an official warning.
It also took into consideration the fact that Jamil had remedied his actions by attending a 'dignity at work' course.
Panel chairman Patrick Malmo said: "He felt the source of this behaviour in 2009, was that he comes from a very restrictive background, with little social life, and none at all outside of his own community".
He added: "He lacked social skills, and had little knowledge of how one should be when working with colleagues.
"He was unable to distinguish between friendliness and over familiarity. We do not think there is a serious risk of this kind of conduct being repeated".*