Muslim hand refusing hand gets heavy compensation

amsterdam - A Muslim who refused to shake hands with a job interview received 3800 euros in damages.

Farah Alhajeh (24) applied as a translator in Uppsala, Sweden, when she refused to shake hands with the man she was talking to. Instead she laid her hand on her heart as a greeting. The company then broke the application procedure.

Alhajeh was defended in court by the Swedish ombudsman. According to that ombudsman, a hand on heart is also an acceptable form of behavior.

The Swedish Labor Court considers that Alhajeh's refusal to shake hands is protected by the European Human Rights Convention. The obligation to shake hands disadvantages Muslims.