Two American-born Muslim clerics were barred from flying to the city of Charlotte, NC over the weekend, according to their lawyer Mo Idlibi. The two were both cleared to fly by the TSA and were ousted by American Airlines from a flight leaving New York City.
The two, a South Carolina-born father and his son, were said to be frequent travelers. Ironically the two were headed to a conference in Charlotte focusing on anti-Muslim discrimination.
Apparently at issue was that the father’s drivers license lists his name as Al Amin Abdul Latif, while his ticket abbreviated his name as Al Amin A. Latif. He was told to “fix” his ticket by airline officials, and later told he was “not welcome” on American Airlines flights anymore.
Latif ended up driving to Charlotte and will still attend the conference. His son was eventually allowed onto another plane the following day. American Airlines declined to comment, saying the move was a “security matter.“
I agree. But why display a map of Charlotte? The Imams were coming TO Charlotte!
Boy, this is a clear case of discrimination. But in America such things are common.
Jason, my last comment did not print but has to be moderated. This seems to be a case of discrimination too!
What’s going on?
(I am moderating. Not Jason. I can only do these as quickly as I can. –AK)
You must choose your words carefully… Copy all your posts here B4 you post them…. You can find the "problim" words be changing them until they post instantly…. Hint… some people and peoples are trouble to mention…!!!
American Airline is worst than TSA. They became real paranoid against Muslims. This move is strictly a racist move, hence, it's not out of fear of terrorism but it's stereo typing against dark skin Muslim people. I hope he sue their ego to stop this corrupt racist corporation from dicriminating against Muslims.
Might be a racist move on their part – so what…many Muslims in America happen to be fairly affluent people and – once word gets around – can easily vote with their pocket books on this. If American Airlines wants to spit in their customers – or if the brown of their skins are more important than the green of their dollars – let them reap the rewards.
Thanks American Airlines – I know which company I won't be flying with; see you at the government bailout line…
Remember, too, that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the US with 20,000+ converting each year. That's an awful lot of potential customers to be alienating out of bigotry- and that applies not only to the airlines, but every other market as well. You bet we can vote with our money, and we will whenever it's necessary. There was a huge outcry when Campbell's released a line of halal soups in Canada, but guess who's laughing? Campbell's, for seeing the light and recognizing a growing consumer base, and Muslim consumers who are finally being heard and responded to. So, too, will mainstream American industry when it realizes we're here, we're not going anywhere, we've got money, and somebody is going to get it- and it might as well be them.
And so it begins again. I wonder when some everyday American Muslim is going to be harassed and/or refused service or whatever to the point where they they lash out at someone and it ends badly? No matter what is done to us, if we stand up for ourselves we're going to be a target, and if someone snaps- as Americans have a habit of doing when pushed to the breaking point- it will be clear proof that we're 'troublemakers' or even 'terrorists'. I, for one, am the whitest guy you'll ever meet- and I'm a Muslim- and I refuse to be America's new 'nigger'.
This is not the America I grew up in- or the America my family has lived in and fought and died for since 1720.
You already stood up. You did it in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Bahrain, Libya. Look at how well that has gone for you. These incidents, as well as the Islamophobia Panels and the 'death' of OBL are well-calculated propaganda moves to keep the fearmongering alive. Heavens! If the US runs out of "terrorists" what would the MIC and Haliburton ever do?
John_Muhammad, I like your spirit…. It's the spirit of America…..
Security matter ? Yeah all fascism is a 'security matter'.
Its funny then that I flew to Texas when my drivers lic. lists my full middle name but my ticket listed just my middle initial. I'm white so its fine I guess. Airline security is a joke anyway I got on the plane with my son they wanted to check his milk cup so see if there were any explosive fumes. Once at the security check point then again just before we got on the plane. When I was returning they didn't check the milk they wanted to check the baby food. But both times I got on the plane with a can of shoe polish and two lighters and a book of matches. WTF they can't even be consistent with their security measures.
They should be barring Catholic priests instead. Heavens knows those characters are much more dangerous than all the imams of the world combined.
Charlotte and NY are both Rush Limbaugh territory. And while NY might be mildly Limbauhish in nature, Charlotte, NC represents the extreme in ignorance and intolerance.
I wonder what would happen if one of American Airline's pilots or flight crew decided to convert to Islam? What if he or she decided to do it while in flight and announced it?
I'd pay to see the reaction by the other flight crew members and corporate wonks.
I agree the map should have soon New York, the new epicenter of racism. But not all New Yorkers are like that, the good New Yorkers should fight the racists who are giving the city a bad name.
There is alot of anti-Muslim racism in the New York City Metro area….. You might say it's a hotbed of Neocon-think which = kill as many Muslims as you want. WTF, 5OO,OOO dead Muslim children was "worth it" according to Madam Madeleine……. I guess we ought to take HER at her OWN words………. 33 seconds video
and bonus round Bill Richardson 1 Min 26 seconds.. stands behind sanctions… "I believe our policy was correct"