Robed Muslim Clerics Kicked Off Flight
 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...es-aboard.html

Two Muslim religious leaders were asked to leave a commercial airliner in Memphis - and were told it was because the pilot refused to fly with them aboard.
Masudur Rahman and another imam had already been allowed to board their Delta Connection flight from Memphis, Tennessee, to Charlotte, North Carolina before they were asked to get off the plane.
Ironically, the two men were headed to a North American Imams conference discussing Islamophobia or fears of Islam and discrimination against American Muslims.

Racism? Masudur Rahman and Mohamed Zaghloul were removed from a flight to North Carolina because the pilot did not want to fly with them
'It's racism and bias because of our religion and appearance and because of misinformation about our religion.' Mr Rahman said. 'If they understood Islam, they wouldn't do this.'
Mr Rahman said he and Mohamed Zaghloul, of the Islamic Association of Greater Memphis, were cleared by security agents and boarded the plane for an 8.40am departure.

The aircraft pulled away from the gate, but the pilot then announced the plane must return, Mr Rahman said.

When it did, the imams were asked to go back to the boarding gate where they were told the pilot was refusing to accept them because some other passengers could be uncomfortable.

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Mr Rahman said Delta officials talked with the pilot for more than a half-hour, but he still refused to fly with them aboard.:lifter

The men were taken to a lounge and booked on a later flight. They flew on to Charlotte later the same day.
Mr Rahman said a Delta manager apologised for the pilot's actions, but that he and Mr Zaghloul never spoke directly with the pilot.
'Racism': the Council on American-Islamic Relations said it will follow up with the airline and with the TSA to help ensure such incidents do not continue to occur
Both passengers are Memphis-area residents. Mr Rahman, who is also an adjunct instructor of Arabic at the University of Memphis, said he was dressed in traditional Indian clothing.

Mr Zaghloul was clad in Arab garb, including traditional headgear.
Transportation Security Administration spokesman Jon Allen in Atlanta confirmed the incident but said it was not initiated by that agency.

A Delta Air Lines spokesman said the flight was operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines, which is also based in Atlanta.

Jarek Beem, a spokesman for Atlantic Southeast, said the airline was investigating the incident. 'We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience that this may have caused,' he said.
Mr Rahman and Mr Zaghloul have contacted the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights and advocacy group in Washington, D.C.

Ibrahim Hooper, of the American-Islamic organisation, said the group will follow up with the airline and with the TSA to help ensure such incidents do not continue to occur.

Personally I'm glad to hear about a pilot with cojones................;)

Big Teddy :munchin

A few make the rest look bad.
 

It's terrible when a few people make the rest look bad?

Now I have to sit here and think "Is it the pilot that makes the rest of us look bad - or is it the Jihadies who make all Muslims look bad?"

So the Clerics are POed the pilot had a negative reaction? Maybe they should do something about the cause of the negative reaction.

So their buddies can wave signs in the US with Death to "Juice" and we're the ones that have a problem?

Good for the ASA pilot.....
 

He made a decision and stood by it. Right or wrong? I'm hoping everyone here will stand by this decision unless they were there.

Some pilots are soldiers and some soldiers are pilots.......a rare few are both. I can't speak for ALL pilots, but I will say that 99.9% will thank you for your service if they have the opportunity.

I don't get any extra pay, but I am issued a weapon and expected to defend what little I can if the threat makes it through the door (A highly unlikely event). I take on this responsibility with pride, and hope it is never required.

Thanks again for what you do and you're always welcome on any plane I fly. (Go say hello to any pilot and I think you'll all get a warm welcome......past, present or future).

Mike

I would honestly like to know why you think this is a good thing.

If pilots took this a step further and stopped flying people in muslim garb altogether; would that be reason to celebrate as well?

EDITED TO ADD: I'm more uncomfortable when someone's fat is falling over their seat and onto me. If pilots stopped flying morbidly obese people it would do much more for general comfort than not flying traditionally dressed muslims. The article never mentioned the clerics posing any type of security danger.

Maybe
 

Maybe if thousands of Muslims didn't parade down the streets of New York waving signs that said Death to the West, calling the US the Great Satan and death to the "Juice" this wouldn't be a problem.

PS I had to take a trip last week - and I was picked out for special screening. Must have been profiled.

Why do I think it's a good thing? Only a liberal would ask that question.
It's because terrorists are predominantly Muslim, Homer.

And, yes, if people in Muslim garb were to be stopped from flying, I would celebrate.

I have a question for you...are you Nancy Pelosi?

I agree with you, and I'm not saying the pilot's choice was anywhere near as silly as the protesters. I think the question still stands.

I'm 2 out of 4 for special screening this year. I always thank the guy for the free massage. He rarely laughs :D

Now I see where you're coming from. I obviously disagree, but you probably already know why.

Strong words sir... strong words.

EDIT: No, I'm not a liberal.

Roger that.

Perceptions are reality.

TR

I understand the preconceived notions the San Jose Sharks icon conjures up. At the end of the day, on the internet all you have are your words IMO.

I can send in my records photo to prove I'm not Nancy Pelosi :D

Do you have the POTUS' thesis, college transcripts, and records, too?

TR