A Christchurch halal meat inspector who says he was fired for living with an unmarried woman claims he was unfairly treated by his former employer.
Roy Farooq French, who converted to the Muslim faith 26 years ago when he married a Muslim woman, is taking a personal grievance claim against his employer of 12 years, the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand.
Mr French, who supervised the slaughter of halal meat in the South Island, was dismissed on May 3 after he told the association he was living with his landlady.
He told the Press that the woman concerned was a devout Christian, and they planned to marry. "My wife died just over a year ago. This lady was a good friend of hers, and we became friendly," he said.
He had offered to board with her to provide security, and when she accepted he told his employer of the arrangement because he felt he had "nothing to hide".
But rumours began to spread.
"We're all human and as I explained to FIANZ, you can't help what other people perceive," Mr French said.
He knew "womanising" was out of the question for a Muslim but was surprised at FIANZ's reaction to his platonic relationship.
"I think they could've talked to me a bit more than they did. They wanted me to get married and that would make things right, but I just can't say 'let's get married' because they want me to."
Lawyers for the association are preparing a response to a letter from Mr French's solicitors informing them of his intention to seek compensation for humiliation, loss of dignity and injury to his feelings, to a sum of $8000.
The association's manager, Qaiser Iqbal, said living with an unmarried woman was "not proper" from a religious point of view, and set a poor example to other Muslims.
"This organisation certifies halal meat, a religious requirement for Muslim people. There is a religious aspect to [Mr French's] job," he said.
"If somebody is not behaving properly then the organisation is constrained to take action."
Mr Iqbal said this was the first time in his four years with the organisation that such an issue had arisen.
- NZPA
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