Two Muslim religious leaders say they were removed from a commercial airliner in Memphis on Friday and were told it was because the pilot refused to fly with them aboard.
Masudur Rahman, who is also an adjunct instructor of Arabic at the University of Memphis, said by telephone from the terminal at Memphis International Airport that he and another imam had already been allowed to board their Delta Connection flight to Charlotte, N.C., before they were asked to de-board.
It was reported that airline officials at Memphis tried to resolve the situation, but the pilot refused even after a 30 minute discussion. One man was dressed in traditional Indian clothing and his traveling companion was dressed in Arab garb, including traditional headgear.
In January 2010 a teenage airplane passenger using a Jewish prayer object caused a misunderstanding that led the captain to divert a Kentucky-bound plane to Philadelphia and prompted a visit from a bomb squad.
I too would have been fearful of people dressed in a manner that is not customary in America. Is it racisim or fear of the unknown? Should we have the right to doubt someone’s intentions?
For the sake of safety I believe the pilots were correct in both instances.
Coast Contact 