Posted on 11/27/2006 9:27:09 AM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - Imams, ministers and a rabbi staged a "pray-in" demonstration Monday at Reagan Washington National Airport and demanded an apology from US Airways for barring six Muslims from a Minneapolis to Phoenix flight last week.
The religious leaders called for an end to racial profiling, saying it was unacceptable in America.
"These things are troubling to us," said Mahdi Bray, executive director of the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation. "Driving while black, flying while Muslim, traveling with a Torah or getting with Jesus."
Imam Omar Shahin, one of the six imams detained last Monday at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, said they hadn't done anything suspicious.
The imams, who were returning from a religious conference, had prayed on their prayer rugs in the airport before the flight. After they boarded the flight, a passenger, who was alarmed by their activity, passed a note to a flight attendant. The men were taken off the airplane, handcuffed and questioned.
"It was the worst moment in my life," Shahin said.
US Airways Group Inc. spokeswoman Andrea Rader said prayer was never the issue.
"Apparently, as they were boarding, one passenger overheard them saying what they thought were anti-U.S. statements," Rader said.
She also said the men got up and moved around the airplane, forcing the flight crew to consult with the airline about whether they might pose a security risk. Local law enforcement and the FBI thought they did, she said.
"We're sorry the imams had a difficult time, but we do think the crews have to make these calls and we think they made the right one," she said. US Airways plans to meet with the imams this week, Rader said.
On Monday, Shahin and a handful of other Muslims bowed down on rugs and prayed in Terminal A near the US Airways ticket counter. Jewish and Christian clergy also said prayers.
After the prayer session, Shahin and other religious leaders boarded a US Airways flight to demonstrate their determination to continue praying and flying.
Hilary Shelton, director of the NAACP national office, called on Congress to pass legislation that would end racial profiling. The bill is necessary because airlines are unclear how to deal with racial and ethnic profiling, he said.
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, four airlines accused of breaking federal anti-discrimination laws settled with the government. Transportation Department investigations found the airlines had unlawfully removed passengers because of their perceived ethnic or religious backgrounds.
Though the air carriers American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines admitted no wrongdoing, they agreed to carry out civil rights training for their employees.
The Homeland Security Department's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties said last week that it was investigating the US Airways incident.
Maybe muslims should ban all airline use. Would be very helpful in the war on terror.
Revenge - I would like to know where these people get off coming here and telling you and me what is acceptable in America.
Give them all parachutes - then see how many of them are smart enough to use them.
I would love to see their "pray in" surrounded by thousands of Christians praying to their intercessor, Jesus.
This from a "religion" that barred American troops staging in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during Desert Storm from CARRYING CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS.
SEND THEM SOMEWHERE THEY'D BE MORE COMFORTABLE.
Somalia sounds about right.
With no comment, OK, just one: last word plain = plane
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1742062/posts?page=63#63
Try that in Syria or Iran
Even a small dog will bark and bare its teeth when its master is attacked.
And, folks, if you think the muslims are strident now, wait until they've outbred us in our own country as they're in the process of doing in Europe -- soon to be Eurabia.
When Americans travel and we don't consider the local sensibilities, we're the "Ugly American".
If these Imams made anti-US remarks after praying in a post 9/11 environment, they are the "Ugly Muslims" for not being sensitive to our legitimate concerns.
CAIR can go rape a goat if they don't like it.
The other half of Americans were either in a coma and unable to respond to the survey, or are lost in the lunacy of liberalism.
that would be a new movie: "Throw Imamma from the Plane."
One of the few times I wish I were a man so I could pee standing up.
I'm not troubled at all. Airlines should stop these jokers more often.
The best move is to make them aware that they are not welcome in our country. It's something about 9/11 I think.
He should be arrested by the fashion police.
Maybe a week with Stacy and Clinton would help.
The policy of the Know Nothing Party, during the 19th century.
They were talking about Roman Catholics.
-Eric
I would bet Ronald Reagan National Airport is located on federal land.
Praying on federal property such as school's, athletic fields, etc violates the separation of church and state.
We'll get the ACLU to take the FAA to court for promoting religion and prayer on federal property.
ACLU wins because they and the courts are so consistent and Muzzies must stop praying in airline terminals.
Problem solved.
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