Muslim doctor wants apology from U.S. airline [booted for praying]

CBC News ^ | 8/19/2006 | staff

[TChris]

A Winnipeg doctor is demanding an official apology and compensation from United Airlines after being kicked off a flight in the U.S. this week, an incident he has characterized as "institutionalized discrimination." Dr. Ahmed Farooq, a Muslim, was escorted off an airplane in Denver on Tuesday. According to Farooq, reciting his evening prayers was interpreted by one passenger as an activity that was suspicious.

"The whole situation is just really frustrating," Farooq said. "It makes you uneasy, because you realize you have to essentially watch every single thing you say and do, and it's worse for people who are of colour, who are identifiable as a minority."

Farooq said the allegation came from a passenger who appeared drunk and had previously threatened him during the trip.

[ketelone]

Whether it was in the name of christianity, or all that smells of fruitcake, he killed a lot of people.

[SlayerOfBunnies]

I haven't heard this supposed condemnation of islamic terrorism and neither, I suspect, have you. At any rate, even presupposing that it exists - if I haven't heard it then I can't possibly be ignoring it. Logic - it isn't all that complicated.

As to ignorance of islam - before 9/11/01 I *was* ignorant (mostly) about islam. Since then, I've been given a crash (sorry - horrible pun) course in it and I'm learning more daily. I've yet to learn anything about it that fails to turn my stomach.

Technically, what I'm justifying is bigotry against islam, not prejudice. Prejudice - to pre-judge - assumes drawing a conclusion before one has sufficient facts. Before 9/11, I had inappropriately drawn the conclusion that islam was just some other religion with which I disagreed. That was prejudice, but in islam's favor. Now, having had access to a better and more representative set of facts about islam, I conclude that it is a murderous death cult, worshiping a goofy moon-god at the behest of a pedophile prophet. Further, I conclude that it is full to bursting with millions of nitwit followers just itching for a chance to blow themselves to bits.

That's bigotry (earned by actions of islam, by the way) - not prejudice.

[Chena]

But consider this, you and Islamofacists have something in common: you are both passionately ignorant of Islam and seem to intentionally misinterpret the Koran to support your agenda. They do it to justify violence, you do it to justify prejudice.

EXCELLENT COMMENT, and ACCURATE!

[beaversmom]

No kidding. I don't get your point. I wasn't arguing he didn't kill people.

[brownsfan]

Again, you CHOOSE to ignore it. Thousands of muslim leaders are offended by the perversion of Islam to promote violence.

Yeah, we all are missing the point right, it's only you and the millions of good muslims that get it? You are becoming a parody of your own argument.

[Publius6961]

Let me ask this. Any muslim or muslim apologist can answer.

How many mass murders would it take for you to allow that perhaps islam might be the problem?

Ten muslims leaving behind "martyr tapes" and carrying a quran?

100?
1000?
10,000?

100,000?
1,000,000?

[brownsfan]

"This thread and comments being made are disturbing, sickening, and an insult to FR and most of it's good FReepers."

We are at war. The enemy is great in number and dedication. War isn't pretty. If this offends your sensibilites, perhaps you should avoid this topic? I think most of what has been said here is justified, and needed.

[Kenton]

Your loyalties are unclear. Would that be before or after the maggot blocking the aisle is escorted off?

Have no doubts about my loyalties. I was presuming YOU would be politely escorted to security, where you would explain what happened and everyone would have a great laugh and you would go on your way.

I presumed that he would be dragged feet first, with his head bumping down the steps, and deposited in the "Lost Luggage" area. ;)

[Beckwith]

I'll see your one Christian attack and raise you thousands of Muslim terror attacks.

The List of Islamic Terror Attacks

This list began as a single page. Now, the authors have to create a new page every six months, there are so many attacks. Cursor to end of the page for previous years.

Oh, and don't forget Jayna Davis's work that strongly suggests an Iraqi involvement with the Murrah Building bombing.

JaynaDavis.com

The moral equivalence crowd thanks Allah every day for Timothy McVeigh.

[brownsfan]

"Yes, but probably because your average Joe Moron doesnt know the difference between a christian liturgy and a muzzie prayer."

I know you have a point there, but it's not obvious. You seem to be wanting to take a swipe at people who distrust muslims, but don't have the fortitude to make a direct statement?

As wrong headed as LF is, at least he's not trying to hide his agenda.

[jw777]

Dear Ahmed. We are sorry you flew our airline.

There's your apology.

[3AngelaD]

And we are going to continue to watch every single thing you, and all your co-religionists, say and do, for the foreseeable future. So stay home, or perhaps go back to your ancestral hell hole and allow us some peace of mind when we travel in our own country.

[brownsfan]

"Whether it was in the name of christianity, or all that smells of fruitcake, he killed a lot of people."

Again, a pointless observation? Yes McVeigh did kill a lot of people. But his action was that of a sick man, not one of a crazed zealot from a death cult.

BTW, I didn't post #51, yet you send to me?

Are you confused?

[Larry Lucido]

I pray on takeoff and landing, and during in-flight turbulence, but my prayers are characterized mainly by my white knuckles.

[MayflowerMadam]

Christians can pray silently; so can Muslims. If he objects to being treated this way, he should organize nonviolent Muslims (if there is such a thing) to protest in an extreme way against the terrorists -- the people who have created this monster. When they stop the killing, we can stop the profiling.

[Lunatic Fringe]

"Bottom line, the silence is deafening."

Really? Your ignorance is astounding...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/5111092.stm
http://www.unc.edu/%7Ekurzman/terror.htm
http://www.muhajabah.com/otherscondemn.php
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/09/0925_TVkoran.html


These links came from a quick Google search of "Muslims condemn terrorism". Muslim leaders and scholars have long condemned the acts committed in the name of Islam.

Your hatred and bigotry comes shining through in this thread. You called this man, who committed no crime whatsoever, a "maggot" based on nothing than his religious belief. I am embarassed that such nonsense is continued to be posted on FR, a board to which I have proudly contributed financial support for almost 9 years. You are the reason many people are starting to see FreeRepublic as the "Idaho-Compound Wing" of the GOP.

Your disgusting, fanatical, racist dogmatism is just as deplorable as those intolerant Islamofascists causing havoc in the world.

[Chena]

We are at war. The enemy is great in number and dedication. War isn't pretty. If this offends your sensibilites, perhaps you should avoid this topic? I think most of what has been said here is justified, and needed.

Gosh, I didn't know we're at war, or that war isn't pretty. When our son fought in Iraq, I thought it was just a real pretty cake-walk. (HEAVY SARCASM HERE) Just who's side are you on anyhow? If your goal is to turn the ENTIRE world population of Muslims against us, just keep on spouting hate talk and clumping every Muslim man, woman and child into the same profile as an Islamic extremist/terrorist/murdering lunatic.

I know who the enemy is.

[Ditter]

Absolutely correct! It is my prayer that gets the plane in the air and keeps it there and no one knows I am praying. Silent prayer works.
;9)

[Eastbound]

Hee Hee!

[Hildy]

We've all given up personal rights when we go on planes..asking Muslims not to pray publicly is not asking alot. I have never seen a bigger group of whiners than Muslims..honestly.