There was a report on TV that a seat belt extension could be used to connect the belts from two seat across the aisle from each other, thereby impeding anyone attempting to come down the aisle. I believe that some of the Imams were seated in aisle seat across from each other.
My first thought about the request for a seatbelt extension was that it was some halfassed kind of way of them suggesting and trying to instill fear over the possibility that they had "something" under their clothes strapped across their chests, like suicide gear.
The report states that the persons requesting the extensions were obviously not overweight. So how hard is it to figure out that, upon such a request, an attendant should ask the person to show him that he cannot use the belt as is. Only if it is too small would the request be honored.
Or used as weapons.
IMO, the airlines need to knock this one down STAT. Retrofit all planes with seat belts long enough for the roundest passengers, so they would no longer require seat belt extensions. Eliminate seat belt extensions altogether.
I'd even favor fedgov forcing them to do this, if necessary.