Muslim immigrant cabbies say they face discrimination in Quebec City job market
QUEBEC — During a break from picking up passengers outside Quebec City’s airport, Karim removes a piece of cardboard hanging on the wall of the trailer and places it on the ground, he stands on it, and begins evening prayers.
Across the small, narrow trailer the television is broadcasting Thursday’s funeral service in Montreal held for three of the six men murdered in a mosque across town.
Taxi drivers such as Karim, 53, who didn’t want to use his last name, are thankful for the outpouring of warmth towards the Muslim community from people across the city since last weekend’s shootings.
But he and his colleagues at the airport taxi stand — many of whom hail from French-speaking North Africa — can’t help but feel frustration at the society they feel hasn’t fully accepted them, especially in the job market.