« Obama Makes It VERY Clear: Photos Of Dead Soldiers OK, Photos Of A Dead MUSLIM Terrorist NOT OK | Main | Man Rolls a Severed Pig's Head into a Mosque »
May 07, 2011
Muslim Leaders Say U.S. Pilot Refused to Fly With Them Onboard ~ Kudos to this pilot!
Muslim Leaders Say U.S. Pilot Refused to Fly With Them Onboard
NASHVILLE, Tennessee
Two Muslim religious leaders say they were asked to leave a commercial airliner in Memphis on Friday and were told it was because the pilot refused to fly with them aboard.
Masudur Rahman, who is also an adjunct instructor of Arabic at the University of Memphis, said by phone from the terminal at Memphis International Airport that he and another imam had already been allowed to board their Delta Connection flight to Charlotte, North Carolina before they were asked to get off the plane.
Transportation Security Administration spokesman Jon Allen in Atlanta confirmed the incident and said it was not initiated by that agency.
A Delta Air Lines spokeswoman said the flight was operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines, which is also based in Atlanta.
"We take security and safety very seriously and the event is currently under investigation," Atlantic Southeast spokesman Jarek Beem said Friday evening.
Both passengers are Memphis-area residents. Rahman said he was dressed in traditional Indian clothing and his traveling companion was dressed in Arab garb, including traditional headgear.
Rahman said he and Mohamed Zaghloul, of the Islamic Association of Greater Memphis, were cleared by security agents and boarded the plane for an 8:40 a.m. departure.
The aircraft pulled away from the gate, but the pilot then announced the plane must return, Rahman said. When it did, the imams were asked to go back to the boarding gate where Rahman said they were told the pilot was refusing to accept them because some other passengers could be uncomfortable.
Rahman said Delta officials talked with the pilot for more than a half-hour, but he still refused.
The men were taken to a lounge and booked on a later flight. Beem said they flew on to Charlotte later Friday.
"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused," Beem said.
The men contacted the Council on American-Islamic Relations ( CAIR), a Muslim civil rights and advocacy group in Washington, D.C.
"It's racism and bias because of our religion and appearance and because of misinformation about our religion." Rahman said. "If they understood Islam, they wouldn't do this."
He said a Delta manager apologized for the pilot's actions, but that he and Zaghloul never spoke directly with the pilot.
Ibrahim Hooper, of the American-Islamic organization, said the group will follow up with the airline and with the TSA to help ensure such incidents do not continue to occur.
Hooper said airline officials at Memphis tried to resolve the situation, but the pilot refused.
.
Wild Thing's comment........
One brave pilot, refusing to risk his passengers. I’m glad they got kicked off the plane!!! Thank you captain for booting them off!!
The aircraft pulled away from the gate, but the pilot then announced the plane must return, Rahman said. When it did, the imams were asked to go back to the boarding gate where Rahman said they were told the pilot was refusing to accept them because some other passengers could be uncomfortable.
Darn right! I am uncomfortable anytime I see someone in a moslem garb! You never know if and when they are going to explode. I do not trust them, especially the ones inside my country, period!
It's racism and bias because of our religion and appearance and because of misinformation about our religion." Rahman said. "If they understood Islam, they wouldn't do this."
BS,First of all, Islam isn't a race. Islam is a death cult and more biased then anything else! Kill Jews, Kill Christians and kill any muslim that does not follow their cult's rules.
And secondly, the pilot DOES understand Islam. That's why he removed these cult leaders.
I would fly on a plane with THIS pilot then a plane with a pilot that is NOT taking all his passengers safety seriously and is too worried about being PC to a death cult.
Posted by Wild Thing at May 7, 2011 01:48 AM
Comments
It's too bad the pilot's career will probably be over. He's a brave man and worthy of honor for sacrificing to protect his passengers. With the death of the Hero of Islam, there's no telling how Muslims will react throughout the world, so it's better safe than sorry.
Posted by: BobF at May 7, 2011 09:55 AM
This pilot was wary of unassimilating men dressed the same way as men who have stated their determination to conquer America and kill Americans. The pilot is captain of his plane and innocent passengers are his responsibility. He is correct.
This pilot reacted the way we should all react toward muslims. I hate them and anytime I make eye contact with muzzies I glare unless they show some sign of friendlyness, like a nod or smile like we Texans do. Most I see are arrogant anyway. I have had experiences with arabs as neighbors and they aren't your typical friendly neighbors. Screw them.
Posted by: TomR, armed in Texas at May 7, 2011 11:40 AM
Fifteen years ago, Muslims in America dressed in western clothing. Ever since 9/11, they wear Arab clothing everywhere as an "in your face" thing to emulate those who attacked America.
Posted by: BobF at May 7, 2011 02:29 PM
Eaxctly why were these people dressed this way if not to provoke Americans?
The pilot is a brave man.
Posted by: Molon Lobe at May 7, 2011 10:28 PM
Bob, I agree he is very brave, I bet your right too about the pilots career.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 8, 2011 01:00 AM
Tom, thanks for sharing all of that. I agree with how you handle them .
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 8, 2011 01:05 AM
Bob, that is interesting how that has changed. It says a lot like you said, a real 'in your face' kind of thing.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 8, 2011 01:09 AM
