KUALA LUMPUR: “Every religion in the world preaches kind treatment towards all creatures, including animals.”
Mohd Kamil Affendy Hashim, 32, lives by the saying, for he is the only taxi driver here that serves the blind with guide dogs.
Kamil said he was called to provide the service after watching a short reality video titled “Are You Blind” on YouTube.
“The video is of a blind person who is aided by his guide dog to move around. He was banned from using public transportation and prevented from entering shopping premises.”
Kamil said he gleaned as much information as he could on guide dogs from the Internet, including from Islamic scholars, before he decided to offer the service.
He said he would usually usher the guide dog into the back seat with its owner. The dog would sit on a plastic-wrapped portion of the seat.
“The plastic wrap would be discarded immediately after the dog and its owner have disembarked. I would then samak (cleanse) the seat. I don’t mind the tedious process because I want to ensure the comfort and ease of mind of my next passengers.”
He recently uploaded a Facebook status saying: “I am Malay and a Muslim. A taxi driver in KL. I stay in Setapak. I support guide dogs. Any blind man with a guide dog who needs a ride, their family and friends can always SMS or Whats-App me.”
He said the status update garnered positive and encouraging feedback, including from his Muslim friends.
“Not many taxi drivers are willing to do this. However, I am positive that more sight-impaired individuals would be encouraged to use guide dogs instead of walking sticks after this. I do not want those with guide dogs to continue being discriminated by society.”
In Western countries, Kamil said, blind people using guide dogs received preferential treatment on public transportation or when crossing roads.
He said the public should not worry about guide dogs as they were highly trained. Bernama