I think that there is one small detail that is being overlooked. According to the post, the man asked ahead of time whether he had to shake a woman's hand and was told that he didn't have to. So he DOES have a valid argument.

For example, if Gypsy asked the local officials if she could wear the mini skirt that she wants to wear and get knocked up and they told her she could, then the officials wouldn't be able to later come back and punish her because they gave their consent.

So if what the man said is true, then the council has no right to object. They should have told him no from the jump. As a muslims I am not asking anyone to change their culture to accomodate my beliefs, but if they gave their word they should have followed through with their agreement.