The latest rumour that fits the “it offends Muslims” niche is the claim that Muslims are trying to ban sniffer dogs in the UK because they are offended by them.
The claim that those of the Islamic faith are offended by and thus are attempting to ban certain elements of British culture (or in this case, security) fits in very well with the typical extreme-right-wing rhetoric that often paints a picture that “Islam is taking over”. And that explains why these types of rumours tend to spread so virally, since they aim to anger the misinformed reader enough into sharing it.
However such rumours are rarely based on any truth, or at least exaggerate claims so much to render the entire story effectively meaningless.
Take for instance this claim that asserts Muslims are attempting to ban sniffer dogs in the UK because it “offends them”. We first reported on it back in 2014 and once again it has reappeared. There was little truth to it back then and even less truth now.
Muslims are trying to ban “Sniffer Dogs” because they “OFFEND” them.
Well? Your BOMBS offend me MORE!
So? I think the dogs can stay.
The main problem with the vague claims made in this rumour is that it is practically impossible to determine if any single one Muslim in the UK is indeed offended by sniffer dogs. But the implication in the rumour is that all – or most – Muslims are offended by them, and this is of course completely untrue, since there has been no significant campaigning within British Muslim communities or by Muslim rights groups that have targeted sniffer dogs whatsoever.
There was an issue in 2008 when police trialled the use of sniffer dogs in various railway stations across the UK. A subsequent report on the trial showed that a small number of Muslims complained about being in such close proximity to the dogs at Brighton station since coming into contact with a dog would prevent a Muslim from conducting in worship until he washed himself, since dogs are considered “unclean” by the Islamic faith.
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Police responded by noting the objections but concluding that this would not prevent the use of the dogs, but they would be “sensitive to cultural beliefs” when employing the dogs in public, and that contact between a sniffer dog and members of the public was not required any way. Back in 2008, this should have put an end to the matter, if not for these rumours.
If that above 2008 story was used as a catalyst to this rumour that Muslims are offended by sniffer dogs and are trying to ban then, then you can see exactly why such rumours should not be taken seriously at all.
Past rumours have previously falsely claimed that Muslims were offended by (and tried to ban) memorial poppies, English football shirts, Christmas lights and British military uniforms.
Ultimately it is all relatively well-used, unoriginal racist rhetoric, designed simply to initiate an emotive and angry response from the reader.
