The social services in Rotterdam were right in denying a job to a Muslim man who did not want to shake hands with women. According to the Rotterdam court somebody who meets with customers on a daily basis and builds up a bond of trust must also have hand contact.

The Muslim had turned to the court since he claimed his freedom of religion was being affected. Earlier the Committee for Equal Treatment had agreed with him. The judge agreed with the Rotterdam municipality that somebody who daily receives customers at the social services may not refuse shaking hands.