Are We Preventing Terror by Preventing Prayer in the Skies?
Carlos Estrella
November 21, 2006
There is an unfortunate truth in modern times; those who look Middle Eastern who openly pray are becoming suspects in the War on Terror. The exclusion of these men and women who worship Islam instead of Christianity or Judaism simply because of fears related to the tragedy of September 11th in the United States needs to stop, or we will become what we dispise.
On a recent US Airways flight, several Muslim clerics were required to deplane because a passenger felt uncomfortable when some of the men performed “maghrib” (sunset prayer) or “isha” (evening prayer) before boarding the aircraft. Some reports state that the men after being forced to stay in the area another day and attempt to replane, were told that the ticket price would be refunded and they would not be allowed to fly with the airline. Though it is understandable that there is a credible threat to aviation security that may involve people who profess to believe in Islam, simply praying prior to boarding a craft in order to meet religions requirements is paranoia at best and racism at worst.
Several years ago and just after the horrific events of September 11th, 2001, a respected Native American Indian elder in the New York area decided to test a theory. This relatively fair skinned man with no apparent Middle Eastern features, decided to wear a 19th century Cherokee headdress – the same type worn by Sequoyah, the creator of the Cherokee “alphabet.” This type of headdress is similar to the turban worn by Sikhs and others and after walking only a short distance he was heckled, taunted and in once case threatened. We’re not talking about someone who looks like Osama bin Laden, but rather a respected American who has more claim to this country than ninety-nine percent of the population when it comes right down to it. Unfortunately, the public perception is that if you wear a “turban,” speak a “foreign” language other than Spanish or something that sounds “Chinese,” prayer in a manner that is not Judeo-Christian or present yourself as anything other than an “authentic ‘apple pie’ American,” you may be a terrorist. This, is racial profiling at its worst, with no reasonable person able to ignore the ramifications.
In our current climate, if you fear what may happen on an aircraft, do one simple thing: don’t fly. That’s right… don’t fly. If enough people don’t fly, the airlines will (if they want to make money) push the government to enact realistic, common sense security methods that are not as invasive or punitive as the ones in place now. Also, when you DO fly, understand that flying is a governmentally restricted activity, and be prepared for it. DON’T FLY WITH THINGS YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO FLY WITH! That way, the only ones who are a threat ARE the terrorists and they’ll get caught before they board the plane. Whatever you do though, make sure you pray, or not… but don’t think that a simple prayer, even if not done in the way you say YOUR prayers, is a threat. Let the Air Marshals worry about it and enjoy your flight.
On a recent US Airways flight, several Muslim clerics were required to deplane because a passenger felt uncomfortable when some of the men performed “maghrib” (sunset prayer) or “isha” (evening prayer) before boarding the aircraft. Some reports state that the men after being forced to stay in the area another day and attempt to replane, were told that the ticket price would be refunded and they would not be allowed to fly with the airline. Though it is understandable that there is a credible threat to aviation security that may involve people who profess to believe in Islam, simply praying prior to boarding a craft in order to meet religions requirements is paranoia at best and racism at worst.
Several years ago and just after the horrific events of September 11th, 2001, a respected Native American Indian elder in the New York area decided to test a theory. This relatively fair skinned man with no apparent Middle Eastern features, decided to wear a 19th century Cherokee headdress – the same type worn by Sequoyah, the creator of the Cherokee “alphabet.” This type of headdress is similar to the turban worn by Sikhs and others and after walking only a short distance he was heckled, taunted and in once case threatened. We’re not talking about someone who looks like Osama bin Laden, but rather a respected American who has more claim to this country than ninety-nine percent of the population when it comes right down to it. Unfortunately, the public perception is that if you wear a “turban,” speak a “foreign” language other than Spanish or something that sounds “Chinese,” prayer in a manner that is not Judeo-Christian or present yourself as anything other than an “authentic ‘apple pie’ American,” you may be a terrorist. This, is racial profiling at its worst, with no reasonable person able to ignore the ramifications.
In our current climate, if you fear what may happen on an aircraft, do one simple thing: don’t fly. That’s right… don’t fly. If enough people don’t fly, the airlines will (if they want to make money) push the government to enact realistic, common sense security methods that are not as invasive or punitive as the ones in place now. Also, when you DO fly, understand that flying is a governmentally restricted activity, and be prepared for it. DON’T FLY WITH THINGS YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO FLY WITH! That way, the only ones who are a threat ARE the terrorists and they’ll get caught before they board the plane. Whatever you do though, make sure you pray, or not… but don’t think that a simple prayer, even if not done in the way you say YOUR prayers, is a threat. Let the Air Marshals worry about it and enjoy your flight.