MINNEAPOLIS , Oct. 11, 2006 – Many Muslim cabdrivers in Minneapolis have sparked debate by saying their religion prohibits them from driving passengers who are carrying alcoholic beverages.

The drivers, whose beliefs are not shared by all Muslims, have been refusing to carry passengers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport who have alcohol in their luggage and have asked dispatchers not to summon them for fares to and from liquor stores and bars, USA Today reported Wednesday.

"When I'm American, I have freedom to practice my religion and freedom to work anyplace I want to work," Abdisalam Hashim, a Muslim from Somalia and manager of Bloomington Taxi told USA Today. "This is the way we address Islam ... We have the right to say this is how we do it."

However, some have said the drivers are attempting to impost Islamic law on passengers, thereby discriminating against people of other faiths.

"These taxi cab drivers basically think they're living in they're own countries where it's OK to impose your religious beliefs upon others," Kamal Nawash, president of the Free Muslims Coalition, a group advocating separation of religion and government, told the newspaper.

Source: United Press International (UPI)