Muslim scholars pulled from Delta plane in Memphis

[SnozzleBerry]

(Reuters) - Two Muslim scholars headed to a conference on American fears of Islam were pulled from a morning flight on Friday, and were later told that the pilot had refused to fly with them aboard.

:x

Masudur Rahman, a professor of Arabic at the University of Memphis, and Mohamed Zaghloul, Imam at the Islamic Association of Greater Memphis, were asked to deplane Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 5452 from Memphis to Charlotte. They were subjected to additional security checks after the plane had pushed back from the gate, Rahman told Reuters by telephone.

After additional screening, the two men were cleared by Delta representatives to re-board the plane, but were then told the pilot would not take them, Rahman said.

Rahman said both men had been cleared for check-in and boarding by airline and Transportation Security Administration officials during normal pre-flight procedures.

According to a TSA spokesman, the decision to remove the two passengers was made by the airline.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines, a regional partner operating as a Delta Connection, apologized for any inconvenience caused, but offered no further explanation.

The flight "returned to the gate to allow for additional screening of a passenger and the passenger's companion. We take security and safety very seriously, and the event is currently under investigation," an airline statement said.

The two men were headed to a North American Imams conference where they were scheduled to lead prayers. This year's conference is discussing Islamophobia or fears of Islam and discrimination against American Muslims.

Since the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces in Pakistan last week, U.S. government officials have warned that al Qaeda may attempt retaliatory attacks.

Rahman said Delta officials told them it was not passengers who were uncomfortable with the men's presence, but the pilot.

Given the men had been cleared by security, the pilot may not understand Muslim culture, the Islam religion or how they typically dress with their body fully covered, said Rahman.

"People are losing freedom," he said of the incident, which he said happens to other Muslim men and women traveling together.

Rahman and Zaghloul arrived nine hours late to the conference, he said.

(Reporting by Lauren Keiper; Editing by Greg McCune)

 

[smokerx]

and this is just a beginning its gonna get much worse than that ...

 

[benzyme]

f@cking ignorance is what it is
they wouldn't have done that with christian nuns

 

[ewok]

Yes a very rocky road to go down.

 

[smokerx]

its so obvious that us goverment and not only us one want people to hate muslims ( and many do now ) for something they never did, so they can invade their countries (and they did and doing right now ) to take their lives and resources . shame on them

i only hope that all people reponsible for this will end up in prison.

 

[ewok]

Given recent events a lot of people will be nervous in situations like this, as wrong as it is its human nature.

 

[smokerx]

Given recent events a lot of people will be nervous in situations like this, as wrong as it is its human nature.

this fear is generated artificilaly. it is the best tool to manipulate people. when you scared with you head down you will believe and do anythink you are told. welcome to the reall world that not many can see.

 

[Ice House]

 

[yaxar]

i was subjected to additional security checks at the NY border, on a recent trip to the states. It's cool tho, gave me more time to sit in silence while the security guys around me were freakin out on my muslim name. I understand the anxiety tho, i just hope that humans can reconnect with each other on a deeper level.

 

[Rooftop]

Went to Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, nowhere else have i been shown such hospitality or offered so many presents... as scandinavian as i may seem... thank you my muslim friends...
...and the real terrorists sit behind their desks, adjusting their neckties...

 

[soulfood]

I love the irony... on their way to talk about Islamaphobia. Funny stuff... in a sad way of course.

Also I can shamefully admit that most of the murder/rape etc in my country are committed by white english natives... but that brown guy with the beard... I'm watching him... In the meantime my store is being robbed by skin-heads.

 

[Global]

Yeah soulfood, I noticed the irony too. I think there has been a resurgence in islamaphobia since bin laden's death. I was just calling my Dad a racist the other day cause of stuff like this.

 

[DMTripper]

its so obvious that us goverment and not only us one want people to hate muslims ( and many do now ) for something they never did, so they can invade their countries (and they did and doing right now ) to take their lives and resources . shame on them

i only hope that all people reponsible for this will end up in prison.

Arms dealers need a bad guy to keep the war going. It's just business of morally depraved people that will do anything for money and power. They will sacrifice everything but their own for it.

 

[olympus mon]

Given recent events a lot of people will be nervous in situations like this, as wrong as it is its human nature.

i disagree ewok that this is human nature, its ignorant hate or prejudice at best.

there is absolutely zero difference between this incident and the U.S. putting all Japanese Americans in concentration camps on our homeland during ww2. we were at war with other nations as well who's immigrants lived here but the Japanese looked most different. where were the German camps? where were the Italian camps?
to think everyone in Muslim garb is a potential terrorist is fucking pathetic. my countrymen really disappoint me on a regular basis.

 

[SnozzleBerry]

Given recent events a lot of people will be nervous in situations like this, as wrong as it is its human nature.

i disagree ewok that this is human nature, its ignorant hate or prejudice at best.

there is absolutely zero difference between this incident and the U.S. putting all Japanese Americans in concentration camps on our homeland during ww2. we were at war with other nations as well who's immigrants lived here but the Japanese looked most different. where were the German camps? where were the Italian camps?
to think everyone in Muslim garb is a potential terrorist is fucking pathetic. my countrymen really disappoint me on a regular basis.

AGREED! Well put Olympus.

To quote Lupe Fiasco: "Fear is such a weak emotion, that's why I despise it"

 

[BananaForeskin]

Fear may be a weak emotion, but it is powerful, that's the problem. It always makes me sad to see people in airports sneering at those dressed in traditional middle eastern garb, because they're usually really cool-looking bearded gents, most likely like those scholars were. In the middle east these men would be revered, probably in most other countries as well!

 

[SnozzleBerry]

Sure, I hear you BF and don't disagree in any way. All I'm saying is that fear is cultivated (and has been exponentially moreso since 9/11) and this type of fear is most certainly NOT human nature, imo. If it was, it wouldn't need to be cultivated and encouraged.

 

[polytrip]

Being afraid of what you don't know is one thing. The extreme hate against muslims that's being preached and cultivated in some countries is another thing. Where i live, some members of parliament refer to muslims as 'catle'. And the worst thing is: no-one cares because 'it's only muslims we're talking about'. If you would speak of jews in the way some people speak about muslims, it would make big headlines. If you say the same things about muslims, nobody gives a damn.

 

[BananaForeskin]

(Wasn't disagreeing with you either, Snozz, just saying it sucks!)

I was poking through an American gun magazine the other day, and there were SO MANY ads for assault rifles... way too many had sales pitches along the lines of "From Colorado to Afghanistan, ours rips shit up!" Really implied that hunting animals and Afghans was no different, made me a bit queasy, especially after the controversy over those "trophy" photos.

Not a good direction... but hopefully, given the revolts in the Middle East, Muslim countries will have a better rap in the near future.