Muslim Passengers
“…I don’t accept
Is it not true that the identification Aside from a change in the political
of the 2006 liquid explosive plot was agenda of a country, what steps
that the Muslim
as a result of the law enforcement need to be taken to ensure that
authorities focusing their attention security measures are effective,
community poses on specific groups and that, had they unpredictable and respond to the
not done so, the plot might not have current threat?
any threat to
been identified? By ensuring that communities have
aviation security…”
I cannot comment on specific cases confidence in the criminal justice
as it would prejudice the fair trial of system and no group is unfairly or
the accused. We will have to wait for disproportionately targeted. It is
Does the Muslim community agree the trial to be completed before essential that the community works
that the most important thing is to coming to any conclusions. in partnership with law enforcement
prevent another atrocity and that, authorities to counter any criminality
should one occur and it be Can you envisage a profiling system or threat of it.
perpetrated by a member of that not racially orientated?
community, it would be even more I don’t believe that any profiling What can religious leaders do to
detrimental to the way in which the system will be free from racism. dissuade followers of a given faith
community is perceived? And, if so, from perpetrating terrorist acts?
does the community not welcome The issue of the veil has had much MCB has always condemned the use
additional precautions? publicity in the United Kingdom in of violence against innocent
The community welcomes all recent weeks. How can airport staff civilians and considers it un-
measures which will enhance effectively screen passengers who Islamic. Islam prohibits the use of
security; that is without question. wear the veil? violence against civilians in all
But the fact remains that security Airport staff can request passengers circumstances. This is something
and its pursuit should not dwell on to remove veil if necessary, but they that the scholars’ statement
any one community but utilise the must do so appropriately and released on July 15 2005 (the text of
intelligence gathered to focus on sensitively. Staff should be given which is available on the MCB
the threat itself and its training on religious and cultural website) makes very clear. Religious
perpetrators. sensitivities. leaders in their pronouncements
have left no room for doubt as to
Don’t customs officials target
specific groups known to be
“…Islam prohibits
the illegality of terrorism.
associated with narco-trafficking?
the use of violence
And immigration agents target ethnic
groups most likely to be using
against civilians in
fraudulent travel documents? And, if
so, why shouldn’t aviation security
all circumstances…”
personnel target the Muslim
community?
Any targeting has to be based on It is often said that people find it hard Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari, MBE,
serious intelligence and not on to screen people from a different FRSA, is the Secretary General of
assumptions. There is no evidence to ethnic background to themselves, the Muslim Council of Britain. He is
suggest that the whole of the Muslim hence it is difficult for a white Christian an educationalist with a PhD and
community is engaged in terrorist security guard to evaluate a religious PGCE from King’s College London
activity. General targeting will Muslim, Jewish, Hindu or Sikh and a Management degree from the
damage community relations. passenger. How can we better educate Open University. Dr. Abdul Bari has
people to understand the behaviours worked as an Air Force Officer,
Passenger profiling has been demonstrated by minority groups? researcher in physics, science
proposed as one solution to the To pursue good diversity policies and teacher and SEN specialist in
problem, whereby passengers are ensure that staff have access to London. He is the chairman of East
subjected to different screening good training and resources. The London Mosque and London Muslim
processes depending on the training programme amongst other Centre. He is also a board member
perceived risk that they pose. What matters can include awareness of of The London Organising Committee
is your opinion of such an religious sensitivities, better commun- of the Olympic Games Ltd (LOCOG).
approach? ication techniques, guidance about He is author of several books on
Passenger profiling will increase the various races and religions. The marriage, parenting, and issues of
racism and ethnic minorities will training should be carried out by youth and identity. He was elected
disproportionately be targeted. It is individuals who have expertise in as Secretary General of the Muslim
vital that the aviation industry diversity and understand it better. Council of Britain at its Ninth Annual
retains the confidence of all There are organisations that are General Meeting on 4th June 2006.
communities. engaged in such programmes. He is married with four children.
Aviationsecurityinternational April 2007 33
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