Slough Observer | News | Bosses defend Muslim who stopped the 81 bus to pray

Wednesday, 9th July, 2008

Published: Sunday, 6th April, 2008 09:37

Bosses defend Muslim who stopped the 81 bus to pray

By Aamina Zafar

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A BUS company has defended its Muslim driver who stunned passengers by asking them to get off before kneeling down to pray.

London United Busways say they have carried out a full investigation after driver Arunas Raulynaitis rolled out his prayer mat to perform his daily prayers, facing Mecca on the number 81 bus in Langley.

Bosses have analysed evidence, including CCTV footage, and say the driver was actually on his 10-minute break when the incident took place at around 1.30pm on Thursday.

They added that the control room had in fact radioed Mr Raulynaitis to terminate the bus outside Langley Fire Station in London Road because it was running late due to road works. Passengers were asked to leave the vehicle while they waited for another bus to pick them up to complete their journey.

Steffan Evans, spokesman for London United Busways, said: “The bus was delayed and by the time it had reached Langley the next bus on the route had caught up.

“At this point the bus service controller decided that in order to maintain the frequency of the buses he would curtail the late bus, and therefore instructed the driver to transfer his passengers in order that they could continue their journey without any further delay.”

But a 21-year-old passenger – who was hoping to join the bus before it terminated – told the Observer: “People were fuming because they said the driver had asked them to leave so he could pray.

“Most people ended up waiting for 15 minutes and weren’t happy. I was late for work so I got a lift with my friend. But it was a hassle I didn’t need.”

Muslims pray five times a day at pre-dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening. However, Mohammed Ayub, trustee at Slough’s Stoke Poges Lane Mosque, said that according to the Islamic faith the driver’s actions had not been necessary.

He added: “It would have been wrong if the driver asked everyone to leave the bus just to pray.

“Islam is a lenient religion and prayer times are relatively flexible, especially when you’re

travelling.”

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