Muslim
Passengers:
victims of racial profiling?
There have been numerous incidents
reported whereby passengers have been
allegedly victimised by airport security
screeners as a result of their ethnic origin,
religious beliefs or colour of their skin.
Few would argue with the fact that, since
11th September 2001, followers of the
Islamic faith, on queuing up for flights,
have been subjected to increased scrutiny
by both officials and even their fellow
travellers. As the industry grapples with
the dilemma as to how best respond to the
very real threat posed by Islamic
fundamentalist activity without penalising
the vast majority of law-abiding Muslims,
Philip Baum asks Dr. Muhammad Abdul
Bari how the Muslim community
perceives airport security, passenger
Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari
profiling and the solution to the problem.
Have you, as a passenger, ever felt A recent incident involved a couple community is being punished for the
unduly victimised when going from Wales who missed their flight actions of some criminals. Airport
through airport security checks? and had to cancel their holiday plans staff must ensure that all stops and
No, however we have received a altogether because of the amount of searches are intelligence led and
number of reports where people time taken by security officers to that staff are given sufficient
have felt unduly victimised. clear them for boarding. The couple training and awareness regarding
are, as far as I understand, religious and cultural issues.
Can you cite some other examples of considering legal action.
Muslim passengers being treated Do you accept that the greatest threat
unfairly by airport security, either in How understandable is it that, to aviation security comes from the
Great Britain or overseas? following the events of 11th Muslim community? If not, why not and
I am aware of an incident September 2001 and the 2006 plot where does it come from?
concerning a leading Imam in to destroy airliners operating from I don’t accept that the Muslim
Blackburn who was apprehended the United Kingdom to the United community poses any threat to
for questioning for seven hours at States, followers of the Islamic faith aviation security. The vast majority
Heathrow and subsequently missed are subjected to greater scrutiny of the Muslim community is law
his flight to Mecca. There’s also the than others? abiding and is appalled by the use of
case of the two young British The community feels they are being violence in the name of religion.
Muslims who were refused boarding unfairly and disproportionately They would cooperate fully to
of their return flight from Malaga to targeted. It is not at all apprehend any individual who is
London last year. understandable that an entire involved in any criminal activity.
32 April 2007 Aviationsecurityinternational
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