How Can Muslim Airport Cabbies Pray?

The question of when government must make exceptions to neutral generally applicable regulations in order to accommodate religious practice arose anew this week at the Cleveland, Ohio airport. The Associated Press reported yesterday on the problem faced by Somali immigrants who drive cabs and wish to carry out their duties to pray 5 times daily. Often prayer time comes while their cabs are in line at the airport terminal. When that happens, the cabbie must go into the airport rest room to wash, and must then pray standing and kneeling on the ground facing Mecca. Doing this runs afoul of airport regulations that prohibit leaving cabs unattended within 300 feet of the terminal. USA Taxi Company says that a third of its drivers have quit after receiving $150 tickets (plus $69 court costs). Police say that they are just enforcing a general rule that furthers safety and security, without regard to the offender's cultural background.