Prayer Accommodation

To the Editor:

I am writing in reference to the letter of Mel Levy published in the June 27 issue of The Chief about the Local 375-Chapter 2 office operations.

Mr. Levy mentioned that "I am told that the chapter office is mostly closed, except for religious services. This is not the way a union office should operate." I am deeply shocked and surprised by this statement. In addition, he wrote that members are not getting the deserved services from the Chapter 2 office.

I have been a Chapter 2 member for more than five years and my office is located only a few feet away from the Chapter 2 union office. Based on my assignments, my work day begins between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. When I start early, I see that the chapter office is open by 7:30 a.m. or earlier. When I work late, I observe that the Chapter 2 office is open at 5:00 p.m. or later with members and officers including President Fathi discussing matters.

As far as the services are concerned, over the past years I have received numerous types of union services from the Chapter 2 office, namely from Bob Mariano, Mel Edelman and Behrouz Fathi. Each provided me with courteous, efficient and effective services for which I am thankful.

Lastly, I would like to say that I am proud to be a part of such a diverse community where we appreciate and respect each other's culture and faith. Like all other chapters, Chapter 2 also has observing Muslim members who need to perform daily prayers during the business hours that require a short time and can be well accommodated within the allowable break. For a long time, Chapter 2 observing Muslim members used an empty storage room for daily prayers. However, when that space was taken away, the members were heartbroken and were desperately looking for a place to perform daily prayers. Chapter 2 gave them a hand and offered a vacant room within the union office for prayer service. Since then, there has been a mutual respect from both ends - the office and members who pray there. Prayer services and time-tables are adjusted as necessary to avoid any impact on union office activities. The accommodation in no way interferes with the Chapter 2 representation of members.

In today's world there are many good people around who would allow others (from different faiths) to perform prayer services in their place of worship or lands. As a Chapter 2 member, if I cannot find any place to perform a prayer that only takes a few minutes at my break time, I hope that at least I would be able to pray at an empty space in my union office without interrupting union business. After all, the union is there to protect my rights.

I do not know who or how many of Mr. Levy's former constituents misinformed him on the above matters. I hope this will bring the truth, and may God bless us with peace and respect for each other.

MOHAMED R. HOQUE, P.E.