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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Boycott debenhams and let them know why they are b |
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| abdullahcohn |
| 11/24/05 at 04:48:18 |
| Debenhams accused of harassment By Elham Asaad Buaras A Muslim woman of Pakistani origin claims she was singled out and treated “like a criminal” by Debenhams’s security because she was “the only customer wearing the hijab.” Tabassam Gulzar was shopping at the store’s Oxford branch in Magdalen Street on October 26, when she alleges she was detained for over 15 minutes with no apology. Gulzar was shopping with her sisters and son when two security men approached her. Speaking to The Muslim News, Gulzar said, “I bought a £100 worth of perfume and after a little time browsing at the children floor, I looked at my watch. It was two o’clock. We decided to leave to make it home in time to break our fast when two security guards stopped me at the door.” Gulazar says she was told she could not leave and must accompany them to a private room on the second floor. “They put me in a room. They were asking if I haden’t paid for something, I said I paid for everything I had in my shopping. They were insisting I had something I didn’t pay for. “I showed them my receipt and I showed them my shopping. “They were treating me really bad like I was a criminal asking me questions. I was upset. I told them I was fasting and that we don’t do these kind of things. When they saw the receipts both security guards went quiet. “I told them I was going to complain, they said, ‘we didn’t ask to see your receipt, we don’t accuse you of stealing, we’re only asking if you haven’t paid for anything’. “I asked ‘then why did you get me up here if you’re not accusing me?’”. Unable to answer her question Gulzar says it was then that the security guards became “rude and dismissive” and told her to “shut her mouth”. “They threatened to call the police. I told them I’ll call the police because I’ve done nothing wrong. “They wouldn’t let me get out, even after I showed them my receipt and asked them if I could leave. They said ‘no you can’t leave until we explain everything to you’. “I said, ‘I don’t want you to explain anything to me, you’ve seen my receipt you’ve seen my shopping, why are you keeping me in here?’” Upset, Gulzar decided to return the perfumes; the manager was called and issued the refund. Gulzar says she was told by the manager she was stopped after continuous surveillance by the guards who were “following you around the whole store” but gave no explanation as to why she was singled out in the first place. “I was in there for about 15 minutes when they decided to let me go, but at no point did they apologies. I couldn’t believe they could do that; the security guards should have spoken to me politely. “They stopped me because I was a Muslim woman wearing the hijab because there were a lot of people shopping at that store and none of them were stopped after surveillance.” Gulzar said she’s still waiting for the apology or explanation promised to her, “I want an apology and I was really upset, I cried all the way home. I haven’t received an apology, they told me to expect a letter from the manager but I’ve yet to receive one,” said Gulzar. The Muslim News contacted Debenhams for comment but was told by a spokesman, “It is not appropriate to comment publicly on this issue.” _____________________________________________________________ Telephone number and email address http://www.debenhams.com/site_services/heading_hero.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=129385 |
| Re: Boycott debenhams and let them know why they a |
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| Laila_Y_A |
| 11/26/05 at 01:49:07 |
| This is my response to Debenhams: ' Your recent mistreatment of Ms.Tabassam Gulzar is reprehensible. No one should receive that kind of treatment, especially after it is discovered there was no reason for it. Thank heavens I do not live where your stores are accessable- you might see me outside boycotting and picketing the store. An angered American by birth, Muslim female by choice' |
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