Muslim women who wear hijabs and complain about discrimination just don't get it. Sixteen years ago America suffered the biggest trauma since Pearl Harbor, and this trauma was not inflicted by a sovereign nation but by a group of Muslims. Since that day there have been repeated traumas in the US and in European countries, all inflicted by Muslims, usually men, but sometimes women. Is it any wonder that we fear Muslims. I know I do. How do I know that the next Muslim I see isn't wearing a suicide vest? Somewhen Muslim women wear hijabs, as far as I am concerned they are just sticking their thumb in our eye.
3
@jephtha So true
Although I'm not Muslim (or anything else), I always dress differently when flying, no lace up shoes, no layered clothing, no belt, no head covering, no glasses, nothing in pockets that I would normally carry other than my ticket and ID, etc. If one's not willing to do that, plan for a little extra time at security.
4
On "Flying while Muslim" - I'm Muslim and I'm having a difficult time with this one. In full disclosure, I am I am a middle aged male and am usually dressed in business casual or jeans.
I fly almost very frequently, both domestic and international. I have yet to have an issue with any extra scrutiny and I have never missed a flight.
My question is if these folks have taken advantage of the Redress system and Pre-Check. I have both.
From the article, it does not sound like the author has either.
My view - The TSA has a job to do and if you get pulled for scrutiny, be understanding and yes, I know it takes more time. Yours as well as theirs.
The author mentioned that she has to allocate an extra hour. Well... so does everybody else. Including anyone with small children or a walker or a wheelchair.
That should be factored in to the planning, not taken out on the TSA.
I fly almost very frequently, both domestic and international. I have yet to have an issue with any extra scrutiny and I have never missed a flight.
My question is if these folks have taken advantage of the Redress system and Pre-Check. I have both.
From the article, it does not sound like the author has either.
My view - The TSA has a job to do and if you get pulled for scrutiny, be understanding and yes, I know it takes more time. Yours as well as theirs.
The author mentioned that she has to allocate an extra hour. Well... so does everybody else. Including anyone with small children or a walker or a wheelchair.
That should be factored in to the planning, not taken out on the TSA.
2
On the one hand the nytimes reports on the dubious racial profiling of Muslim women who opt to dress in the fashion of their faith - without noting It is optional in western democracies.
On the other hand, in fact in the same day newspaper, you report the dire warning headline: "Women’s Emergence as Terrorists in France Points to Shift in ISIS Gender Roles" http://nyti.ms/2cJkQDa
On the other hand, in fact in the same day newspaper, you report the dire warning headline: "Women’s Emergence as Terrorists in France Points to Shift in ISIS Gender Roles" http://nyti.ms/2cJkQDa
2
Muslim women have a simple solution if they don't want to suffer perceived discrimation: remove your scarf, at the very least when you board a plane . Nobody can be faulted for feeling insecure when a passenger insists on wearing a hijab.
We never had this sort of problem before. Now, it seems to be a provocation on the part of certain Muslims. For instance, recently a young woman went for a job interview not wearing a hijab, and when hired, insisted on wearing one. When terminated, she sues for discrimination.
The perception is one of bait and switch, then complain.
We never had this sort of problem before. Now, it seems to be a provocation on the part of certain Muslims. For instance, recently a young woman went for a job interview not wearing a hijab, and when hired, insisted on wearing one. When terminated, she sues for discrimination.
The perception is one of bait and switch, then complain.
5
Nobody deserves the bigotry and half-baked judgments I read in some of these comments.
I went to law school in middle age, but when I did go I found myself a classmate of Ms. Allouch. Since law school I’ve admired her intelligence, her energy, her generous spirit, and particularly in recent years, her civil rights work.
To use a naturalized word from another, often-denigrated religious minority, Ms. Allouch is a real mensch. I don’t share her religion, but I share her respect for others’ faiths. If only all of us here had that same respect!
I went to law school in middle age, but when I did go I found myself a classmate of Ms. Allouch. Since law school I’ve admired her intelligence, her energy, her generous spirit, and particularly in recent years, her civil rights work.
To use a naturalized word from another, often-denigrated religious minority, Ms. Allouch is a real mensch. I don’t share her religion, but I share her respect for others’ faiths. If only all of us here had that same respect!
4
No. You do not have to respect anyones faith. You have to respect them as people. And then only if they respect you. Please stop spreading the absurd idea that your beliefs have rights.
3
I watched, way back in 1970s high school, how pony tailed males, white, were targeted and harassed by the police. My brother was one of them. When he went to college he cut it off. Simple easy solution.
What do people see when they look at Muslims dressed as the people who are on TV all of the time wanting to cut people's heads off? Danger. It is simple, just dress as a westerner and "flying while Muslim" will be much easier. It is time to have some sensitivities to other's people and not sticking offensive garb in their faces.
What do people see when they look at Muslims dressed as the people who are on TV all of the time wanting to cut people's heads off? Danger. It is simple, just dress as a westerner and "flying while Muslim" will be much easier. It is time to have some sensitivities to other's people and not sticking offensive garb in their faces.
6
“All the violence and terrorism seems to be committed in the name of Islam."
Overlooked are the killing fields of Cambodia and the former Yugoslavia, the persecution of the Muslim Rohingya by the Buddhist majority in Myanmar, inter-ethnic slaughter in various parts of non-Muslim Africa, the horrific drug wars of Mexico and Central America, etc.
"When they are a minority in a secular nation, they want all the rights and privileges allotted to them, but as soon as they become the majority they try to eliminate the minority."
Suggested rewrite: "Every Muslim citizen of a secular nation is just that, a citizen, entitled to the same rights as every other citizen. Traditional, patriarchal Muslim theocracies have often been fanatical in their rejection of non-believers, just as traditional, patriarchal, deeply "Christ"ian societies long were."
Overlooked are the killing fields of Cambodia and the former Yugoslavia, the persecution of the Muslim Rohingya by the Buddhist majority in Myanmar, inter-ethnic slaughter in various parts of non-Muslim Africa, the horrific drug wars of Mexico and Central America, etc.
"When they are a minority in a secular nation, they want all the rights and privileges allotted to them, but as soon as they become the majority they try to eliminate the minority."
Suggested rewrite: "Every Muslim citizen of a secular nation is just that, a citizen, entitled to the same rights as every other citizen. Traditional, patriarchal Muslim theocracies have often been fanatical in their rejection of non-believers, just as traditional, patriarchal, deeply "Christ"ian societies long were."
2
This cleaver headline is created to give sympathy to muslims. Being non-muslims my wife and I are always stopped, searched, put into machines and we feel insulted by the TSA. But I take refuge at the fact that they do this something to protect us created by muslim world to annoy and hinder safe travel. As far as prayers are concerned we also pray before flights in our minds and do not ask for rooms to pray. It is stressful enough going on a flight these days. You cannot exclude a certain creed of people and try to put them above others NYT.
7
Perhaps the tense and stern looks are actually looks of fear. While all Muslims may not be terrorists, the terrorists who have attacked airplanes and airports in recent years are all Muslim. Stop pretending that fear of terror attacks has nothing to do with the treatment Muslims receive.
"Flying while Muslim" is not the same as "driving while black." African-Americans have nothing in common with Muslims so please stop insulting us with this false equivalency. African-Americans have suffered discrimination in this country for centuries and we have not committed terror attacks against America. Many Muslims are quite prejudiced against African-Americans and think nothing of hurling the n-word. Now that Muslims are no longer "white" and have dropped quite low on the racial/ethnic totem pole, they all of a sudden want to jump our claim for fair treatment? I don't think so. Stop bombing, shooting and stabbing and your problems will disappear.
"Flying while Muslim" is not the same as "driving while black." African-Americans have nothing in common with Muslims so please stop insulting us with this false equivalency. African-Americans have suffered discrimination in this country for centuries and we have not committed terror attacks against America. Many Muslims are quite prejudiced against African-Americans and think nothing of hurling the n-word. Now that Muslims are no longer "white" and have dropped quite low on the racial/ethnic totem pole, they all of a sudden want to jump our claim for fair treatment? I don't think so. Stop bombing, shooting and stabbing and your problems will disappear.
5
If the author, who seems a kind and gentle enough soul, is harrassed or feels intimidated while flying, I am sorry. She could do much more good for her cause, however, if rather than berating Americans, who have good reason to fear Islamic extremists, would instead argue:
a) Predominantly Muslim countries should guarantee rights for women and should replace Sharia with guaranteed civil liberties for all
b) Predominantly Muslim countries should allow for freedom of religion, religious expression, and non-Muslim proslytizing
c) Muslims here and elsewhere who are aware of Islamic extremists in their midsts should inform law enforcment.
When I hear that message loud and clear from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, I will be happy to be hectored on whatever issues you may wish to bring up.
a) Predominantly Muslim countries should guarantee rights for women and should replace Sharia with guaranteed civil liberties for all
b) Predominantly Muslim countries should allow for freedom of religion, religious expression, and non-Muslim proslytizing
c) Muslims here and elsewhere who are aware of Islamic extremists in their midsts should inform law enforcment.
When I hear that message loud and clear from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, I will be happy to be hectored on whatever issues you may wish to bring up.
7
Actually, you don't have a RIGHT to fly. No one does.
9
I'd like to see some good lawyers explore lawsuits by passengers improperly removed because of something some other passenger reported or claimed. It seems like a claim of contractual interference, for example. (That is, airline and passenger contract for transportation at a specific time, prevented by some narrow-minded person reflecting his stupid fear.) I stopped practicing some years ago or I'd volunteer to try this pro bono myself. I'm a 70-year-old white male who never faces these issues but it is outrageous to know driving while black and flying while Moslem are concerns that minority group members must worry about.
3
Saying people don't smile enough at a Muslim woman showing submission to Sharia law by wearing the hijab is typical of Political Islam. Islamic doctrine is about 60% political which means Roula's complaint is that the kafir (infidels) are not showing her proper respect for her submission to Sharia Law is strictly a political complaint.
4
Because of the actions of a very small minority, the many peaceful Muslims in this country are being exposed to this sort of unkindness. I'm sorry they are having these experiences. Women should be able to wear whatever they want when they travel.
4
It is not a small minority. The vast majority of Muslims do not support western concepts such as the separation of church and state and equality for women.
5
Muslims must be free like every other person. We didn't do anything wrong.Foreign people got prejudice for muslims.That must be break down.
2
Can the NYT please stop with all these articles on teaching us about the wonders of Islam and how the world is Islamophobic? Please stop with this shame on you articles and trying to teach us about Hajj and daily prayers. There is not a week that goes by where the NYT does not try to islamoshame its readers and America. I have been a Times subscriber for over 30 years and I am fed up of all these Islam stories. If the NYT is going to go to such extent to cover atrocities committed against Muslims, perhaps it should do weekly articles on the elimination of all minorities in Muslim majority countries, Jews, Yazidis, Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists. While we all realize that there are peaceful Muslims in this world, all the violence and terrorism seems to be committed in the name of Islam. I would like to see articles on the elimination of Christians, Jews, Yazidi and secularists in Muslim majorities like Egypt, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh…. When they are a minority in a secular nation, they want all the rights and privileges allotted to them, but as soon as they become the majority they try to eliminate the minority
33
I apologize to others for this attitude.
2
@racist Jane: Today, 10/2, I read in the NYT a moving article about a Rabbi"s enduring sermon on living your last five minutes before crashing in the Challenger and then in a plane. The article went deeply into Jewish thinking. Also today, 10/2, I read a great article about two Brooklyn Friars and their Christian theology. (Although I am an atheist, I do enjoy these religious themed articles.) And you complain only about the article describing experiences about American Muslims. You are a whole basket of deplorables all by yourself! This article, like the two I cited, was NOT about foreign atrocities committed by Muslims, you referenced (or by foreign Christians either - see German Nazis, Crusades). Your examples are not relevant.
And you stoke racist lies that "all...terrorism seems to be committed in the name of Islam. What about Christian-motivated murders? Brivik in Norway (about 100)and the following in the US: Charleston Church 2015 (9), 2014 police ambush Las Vegas and Tallahassee (4); Kansas Jewish Center 2014 (3), and 14 others I can name from 2008 thru 2012 in the US (20). Obviously all murders, even just one, including those motivated by religion, are horrible. But. you. don't. help.
And you stoke racist lies that "all...terrorism seems to be committed in the name of Islam. What about Christian-motivated murders? Brivik in Norway (about 100)and the following in the US: Charleston Church 2015 (9), 2014 police ambush Las Vegas and Tallahassee (4); Kansas Jewish Center 2014 (3), and 14 others I can name from 2008 thru 2012 in the US (20). Obviously all murders, even just one, including those motivated by religion, are horrible. But. you. don't. help.
4
Islam is not a race. It is an ideology and we get to criticize it.
3
How about a question like: Do you understand why people are afraid of Muslims on airplanes, especially Muslims who are praying in Arabic out loud? Do you think that they don't have reasonable cause to feel that way? Do they not have a right to their feelings?
One more: Do you not think ultra liberals and progressives feel the same way when they're flying?
Answer: You bet they do!
One more: Do you not think ultra liberals and progressives feel the same way when they're flying?
Answer: You bet they do!
19
Luke's been spooked, into thinking he's omniscient about the feelings of "ultra liberals and progressives". Some might feel what he bets they do, others might not.
I don't think we have any sort of inalienable "right" to our feelings; there is no legislation protecting them. What we do have is a double duty: (1) to respect each other's feelings, as long as they don't motivate action which limits the rights of others, and (2) to be open to examining our own feelings, whether through discussion or introspection, exploring whether they can be justified. The process is often not easy, but may sometimes convince us to change feelings we've had about people, once we've seen our earlier beliefs as mistaken, jumped to as unwarranted conclusions.
I don't think we have any sort of inalienable "right" to our feelings; there is no legislation protecting them. What we do have is a double duty: (1) to respect each other's feelings, as long as they don't motivate action which limits the rights of others, and (2) to be open to examining our own feelings, whether through discussion or introspection, exploring whether they can be justified. The process is often not easy, but may sometimes convince us to change feelings we've had about people, once we've seen our earlier beliefs as mistaken, jumped to as unwarranted conclusions.
2
Clever headline.
Now let's see one titled "Working While White" about the nonsense whites have to put up with to accommodate imagined offenses.
Now let's see one titled "Working While White" about the nonsense whites have to put up with to accommodate imagined offenses.
14
Just look at this headline and you see why non Muslims are leery even of Muslim women: Women’s Emergence as Terrorists in France Points to Shift in ISIS Gender Roles. This is why we are leery.
17
Muslims should be treated respectfully, but let's face the fact that we have very strict security at airports and public events because of Islam. Not all Muslims are terrorists, but they share the religion that spawns almost all terrorists worldwide. Viewing the likelihood of an old Polish grandmother being the same terrorist threat as a Muslim is ridiculous. That Muslims blame non Muslims for their discomfort is backwards. The terrorist within Islam are to blame.
32
African Americans in this country have had to endure chaos since they were forced to be here. It seems to me that white European Americans who brought them here have pretty much not had such exposure. But now chaos is here for all of us and it seems there is little likelihood it will go away so people are anxious and how can we blame them? Mathematically the number of Muslim terrorists is extremely small as is the number of Christian terrorists. And so for the vast number of Muslim, Jews and Christians in this country couldn't we just try to put one foot in front of us every day, man up to it and be nice to each other? We don't really have a choice do we?
4
I'm a stay at home Mother and live in Toronto so see many different people and styles of traditional clothing every day. I often make idle chitchat with other mothers about the city, in the museum, subway, parks, etc. Anytime I see a niqab, a women(?), fully covered, cloaked in black, I get seriously uneasy. I often ride the elevator to the subway platform, as I have a stroller. If a women wearing a niqab wanted to board the elevator with me, I'd seriously hesitate. Every inch of their face full covered, limiting completely other's ability to inter act with them, it's frighten. I'll pass taking the elevator with individuals wearing the niqab and with anyone else with whom I feel uncomfortable. There isn't much difference between elevators and airplanes, confined, small spaces. Roula Allouch statements don't acknowledge the elephant in the room, and it's not the beautiful and tasteful hijab, it's the complete blackness and frightening nature of the niqab.
21
I think that in North American culture, wearing a full-face covering is an entirely different thing than wearing a head scarf (although both are motivated by religion). We live in an open society where strangers interact freely. Showing one's face to strangers is the norm; we get different cues about people from their facial expressions. In addition to expecting to see people's faces, we also have a history of criminals' avoiding recognition by wearing masks. I believe that there are even places in the U.S. that have very old laws prohibiting facial masks.
Because I know that Muslim women experience negative reactions to their headscarves, I try to smile or (if appropriate) act in a friendly manner. But the same is not true for women with full-face coverings. Although I would not be rude to them, I try to avoid anyone who is not willing to show me their face.
Because I know that Muslim women experience negative reactions to their headscarves, I try to smile or (if appropriate) act in a friendly manner. But the same is not true for women with full-face coverings. Although I would not be rude to them, I try to avoid anyone who is not willing to show me their face.
1
I always tell my kids -- 'If you see something, say nothing.' It's really the best policy for the individual. I tell them -- 'Don't put your neck on the line just for the safety of the group. Don't be that person. Keep your mouth shut and your eyes closed.'
1
The wish to receive a smile from someone is not a civil right.
14
But the right not to be kicked off of a plane because of the language you're speaking or the headcovering you're wearing should be.
2
If you do your own research (rather than relying on Ms. Allouch's incomplete account), you'll find she left out a very, very important detail to the story of the Arabic-speaking student. According to SWA, the passenger who reported the student to the flight attendants is also an Arabic speaker, and she found some of the student's conversation troubling. It wasn't the language that caused the airline to remove the student and investigate further; it was the content of his conversation.
Now it may have been just a misunderstanding, but free speech hasn't applied to airline travel since...well, more years than I can remember, and I'm no spring chicken. We all have to choose our words carefully on an airplane.
Now it may have been just a misunderstanding, but free speech hasn't applied to airline travel since...well, more years than I can remember, and I'm no spring chicken. We all have to choose our words carefully on an airplane.
Major asymmetry. Christians, religious minorities, secularists and even small Muslim sects like Ismailis in Sunni-majority countries don't have to worry about additional screening before boarding boarding planes; they have to worry about being murdered.
21
You exaggerate, many non-Muslims fear being raped or taken slave more than they fear murder.
1
The major violence in this country involving Muslims is from Muslims towards non Muslims, and the forbearance, collective tolerance is , well Christian
If these mass casualty events Muslim initiated, are indeed contrary to islam, and we do not think so, we think Islamic supremicism is intrinsic - "there is no god but allah, "sort of thing
Since these psychopaths for god betray Islam and place it in a harsh light, and so
where is the fatwa against jihad
If these mass casualty events Muslim initiated, are indeed contrary to islam, and we do not think so, we think Islamic supremicism is intrinsic - "there is no god but allah, "sort of thing
Since these psychopaths for god betray Islam and place it in a harsh light, and so
where is the fatwa against jihad
7
Until moderate Muslims speak out in droves against their radical brethren, this profiling will (and should) continue.
26
Moderate Muslims have already spoken out in droves against "their radical brethren". And yet this continues.
9
Travelers through Heathrow became familiar with this phenomenon 20 or more years ago. While Britain has a well established Muslim immigrant population, airports there have long been an area of particular sensitivity. While flying back to the US via London from our home in Nairobi, my son and I were seriously delayed at Immigration (long before 9/11) because I had stamps in my passport from Ethiopia and Egypt. The airline put us on a golf cart down to the boarding gate so that we would not miss the flight. The airport employee who rode with us, a young woman whose badge said her surname was Khan, told us that she was stopped and questioned almost every day even 'though she was in uniform.
The fact that this kind of scrutiny happens here in the post 9/11 US does not make it right, and does not make us safer on flights. Refusing to allow a Muslim to fly to assuage the discomfort of another passenger is a clear violation of our First Amendment rights protecting speech (even in Arabic) and worship.
The fact that this kind of scrutiny happens here in the post 9/11 US does not make it right, and does not make us safer on flights. Refusing to allow a Muslim to fly to assuage the discomfort of another passenger is a clear violation of our First Amendment rights protecting speech (even in Arabic) and worship.
9
I am a former Methodist pastor who teaches courses comparing Islam and Christianity at various churches in my town. I am continually bombarded with prejudicial comments about Muslim prayers, women's dress, jihadist conspiracies and fiery quotations from the Hadith and Qur'an to demonstrate that Muslims are not people of peace and that they desire nothing less than world domination. This article makes me so sad -- Muslim women wear certain garments and dress in certain modest ways to reflect their respect for God, just as firm a statement on their parts as the dress customs of orthodox Jewish women in Israel. and yet, when we view a Jewish woman with a scarf and shawl and leggings under her skirt, or who wears a wig for reasons of modesty, or who speaks Hebrew in public, we do not make the kinds of ascriptions that we see here. I do what I can to reduce the fear and hostility of Americans toward millions of people whose faith is different from theirs, solely on the basis of some very angry and hostile acts of a tiny minority of the faithful. But I despair ...
14
Thanks for your work.
3
In most cases, you would not be able to tell that a woman was an Orthodox Jew by her dress (especially in the winter). Many do not wear wigs (but do cover their hair with a scarf or appropriate head-cover). They wear long skirts and leggings and cover their arms, but so do other women when it's cold.
And often people unfamiliar with the languages can't tell if it's Hebrew or Aramaic or Farsi or Arabic (yes, they are all Semitic languages) when they hear two people talking especially when the people have olive skin and dark hair.
And often people unfamiliar with the languages can't tell if it's Hebrew or Aramaic or Farsi or Arabic (yes, they are all Semitic languages) when they hear two people talking especially when the people have olive skin and dark hair.
Farsi has Indo-European roots, as does English.
The recent murders of American citizens by Muslims have been troubling. Fortunately I read the New York Times and know that it is Christianity that is a threat to our country.
6
Saying Christianity threatens this country, a country founded by Christians and built on Christian values, is just so absurd it doesn't deserve this reply but...I just wanted to agree that reading the NYtimes with the unquestioning faith of a child could leave you with that impression.
1
@Luke
He was clearly being sarcastic. The NYT is insufferably and unrelentingly Islamophiliac and Christophobic. Look no further than this silly article as evidence.
He was clearly being sarcastic. The NYT is insufferably and unrelentingly Islamophiliac and Christophobic. Look no further than this silly article as evidence.
2
Ahem...sarcasm reality check.
Frankly, I've never seen a group complain so much about profiling and do so little to stem the cause of it. I have very little sympathy for hurt feelings when the alternative to others paying attention is possible death by bombing or other vicious attack in the name of a religion.
36
Sadly, because of the actions of Muslims against Westerners profiling has become necessary. We have Muslim friends who have chosen not to wear a head covering and one of these women was verbally attacked by an American woman on a college campus in Michigan over her choice. Sadly, it works both ways. If a Muslim woman chooses to cover her head it is her choice but when she chooses not to cover her head it also should be respected.
8
As someone who was educated in London, England, I often made trips to the East End (Brick Lane: best Bangladeshi sweets in the world: fact), where it simply is not possible to avoid interacting with Muslims (as well as with Sikhs, Jews and -- brace yourself -- Cockneys). To support myself in school, I also taught reading and composition skills to many Muslim families to whom English was not their first language.
I am so grateful for every interaction I had in that time. There was so much grace and goodness in the people I met (as, of course, there would be! These are just people! There is no "other" here.) I'm a blue-eyed freckled white chick with no religion.
I do not understand for one minute why Muslims in America are treated this way, and not relished for their wonderful culture, history, art and character.
Should you visit England, be sure to check out Brick Lane.
I am so grateful for every interaction I had in that time. There was so much grace and goodness in the people I met (as, of course, there would be! These are just people! There is no "other" here.) I'm a blue-eyed freckled white chick with no religion.
I do not understand for one minute why Muslims in America are treated this way, and not relished for their wonderful culture, history, art and character.
Should you visit England, be sure to check out Brick Lane.
11
Most terror attacks on civilians in the past 40 years have been by Muslims in the name of Islam. Thus for safety airlines must profile Islamic travelers as it is Islam which has the terror track record.
Further, I think mainstream Islam needs to be more proactive in teaching that terror is wrong and working to stem terror acts perpetrated by their fanatical co-religionists. That will have two effects. A decrease in terror attacks by Muslim fanatics as well as allowing Innocent Islamic folk to travel without feeling they are being profiled.
So - in summary, instead of blaming victims ( Western society) blame the perpetrators ( Islamic extremists) for the discomfort innocent Islamic travelers are experiencing.
Further, I think mainstream Islam needs to be more proactive in teaching that terror is wrong and working to stem terror acts perpetrated by their fanatical co-religionists. That will have two effects. A decrease in terror attacks by Muslim fanatics as well as allowing Innocent Islamic folk to travel without feeling they are being profiled.
So - in summary, instead of blaming victims ( Western society) blame the perpetrators ( Islamic extremists) for the discomfort innocent Islamic travelers are experiencing.
20
I'm a Muslim and I am happy to see Muslims singled out for special observation by the authorities and by my fellow citizens. Incredible crimes are being inflicted on the west by Muslim fundamentalists. They are angry but unable to understand that unbridled birth rates with limited resources designed to take over the world, polygamy which denies many young men without resources the possibility of marriage, and oppressive societies where the oligarchs take everything are reinforced by the religion. I came to this country to get away from these overpopulated, primitive societies not to bring them with me. Muslims and air travel have not been a happy combination in the last few decades. I don`t wear Muslim clothing on a plane or anywhere else....why does she think wearing a Hijab, a symbol of fundamental Islam, is not sending a strong message to the people of the nation she joined?
40
I'm going to agree with as from NY here.
While i didn't emigrate here, my parent did from Pakistan for the exact same reasons. Interestingly enough, growing up in the Chicago suburbs and then central Illinois (fly over country) I cannot ever remember seeing large numbers of women in hijab. Shalwar Kameez yes, but not hijab. And neither do my parents. I can't help but think this is a new form of cultural identity.
Fine.. so be it. Its your right. But understand what doing so entails.
While i didn't emigrate here, my parent did from Pakistan for the exact same reasons. Interestingly enough, growing up in the Chicago suburbs and then central Illinois (fly over country) I cannot ever remember seeing large numbers of women in hijab. Shalwar Kameez yes, but not hijab. And neither do my parents. I can't help but think this is a new form of cultural identity.
Fine.. so be it. Its your right. But understand what doing so entails.
Very timely. United Airlines reseated a female passenger on a Los Angeles-Houston flight because two Muslim monks did not want to sit next to her. Link to story below:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-woman-united-airlines-changed-sea...
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-woman-united-airlines-changed-sea...
9
Outrageous! Those monks should have been thrown off the plane.
The monks in this story are reported as being Pakistani, but monasticism is forbidden in Islam, so they cannot have been Muslim. Since the complainant states they were wearing "long orange shirts," it is likely that they were members of the small Hindu minority in Pakistan. (Orange is a sacred color in Hinduism, which happens to be the religion I profess.)
There is a good chance they were sadhus (monks) affiliated with the Sri Swaminarayan Temple in Karachi. Monks of the Swaminarayan sect, which originated in Gujarat state in India, are forbidden to have any contact with women, much like the Christian Orthodox monks of Mount Athos in Greece.
Please avoid jumping to conclusions about religious traditions you apparently know little about. Not all religously-motivated sexism is due to Islam.
There is a good chance they were sadhus (monks) affiliated with the Sri Swaminarayan Temple in Karachi. Monks of the Swaminarayan sect, which originated in Gujarat state in India, are forbidden to have any contact with women, much like the Christian Orthodox monks of Mount Athos in Greece.
Please avoid jumping to conclusions about religious traditions you apparently know little about. Not all religously-motivated sexism is due to Islam.
What an irresponsible and ill-informed claim. There was no indication the "monks" were muslim, which was also belied by their dress. Eagerly awaiting your outrage at El Al, which has made the same accomodations for ultra-orthodox Jewish men.
1
While all of us must be sensitive to the Islamophobic hiding within us, it is so difficult to simply be accepting of everyone we meet. This is so especially true when, after every terrorist event in the US, people always say that they never suspected that the perpetrators were dangerous. So, the only thing we know is that these perpetrators were Muslim (whether observant or not). How can we not be somewhat anxious when we interact with Muslims?
4
People often make the same observation--that they never suspected the perpetrator was dangerous--after a mass shooting in the US (a far more frequent event in this country than jihadist terorism). Since almost all the perpetrators of US mass shootings have been non-Muslim white men, and since automatic weapons are ridiculously easy to procure in this country, how can we not be somewhat anxious when we interact with non-Muslim white men?
1
I know the feeling. Ever since Tim McVeigh, white Anglo-Saxon Christians give me the creeps.
2
This is quite clearly not what America is about. Unfortunately, I do not see a Muslim American leader taking the lead and becoming the spokesman for this. Unfortunately that is necessary given the status of our world.
6
It's exactly what America is about and always has been. What it's not about is an idea of American that has never been realized. We need to get over ourselves. We're as human as the rest of the world.
2
I think I know what you mean but I see it as clearly what America is about, a little of everything and this may not be what some or even a lot of us do not desire.
1
Muslims aren't targeted because of their religion. Muslims are "targeted" , I'd term it noticed when they insist on dressing in a manner to identify themselves. I would not want to be told to wear a label that told everyone my religion in fact if someone suggests it I would be furious.
Muslims, particularly woman, insist or maybe are forced to wear clothing that identifies their religion in the most obvious manner possible. I don't think anyone should be permitted to harass or in any way hinder them but they must know that by dressing in that fashion they are setting themselves apart. As a result, you will be noticed. You may not like it but you will be noticed.
Variety is the slice of life but then everyone notices the spices. It's not racism it's human nature.
As for security issues, many people who look differently are stopped. Perhaps Muslims are stopped more often particularly when they are coming or going to the Middle East but that's not racism either; it's common sense.
No doubt I will be called a bigot but that's life too.
Muslims, particularly woman, insist or maybe are forced to wear clothing that identifies their religion in the most obvious manner possible. I don't think anyone should be permitted to harass or in any way hinder them but they must know that by dressing in that fashion they are setting themselves apart. As a result, you will be noticed. You may not like it but you will be noticed.
Variety is the slice of life but then everyone notices the spices. It's not racism it's human nature.
As for security issues, many people who look differently are stopped. Perhaps Muslims are stopped more often particularly when they are coming or going to the Middle East but that's not racism either; it's common sense.
No doubt I will be called a bigot but that's life too.
42
Do you feel the same way about Orthodox Jewish men who wear skullcaps? Or Amish women who wear bonnets? Should they be "noticed" because they are "setting themselves apart"? Or do you only care about Muslim women who wear headscarves?
You are justifying discrimination on the basis of religion, which is forbidden by American anti-discrimination laws. Our constitution gives religious freedom to all, not just to Christians.
You are justifying discrimination on the basis of religion, which is forbidden by American anti-discrimination laws. Our constitution gives religious freedom to all, not just to Christians.
2
Is a Jewish man "targeted" when they wear a yarmulke? Is a Catholic Priest "targeted" when they wear a roman collar? How about a Greek Orthodox Priest when they wear clothing of their religion? There is a reason a person is called a bigot.
2
Most of us dress in a way that we like and a way that our culture expects us to but some of us do not. I happen to see Muslim woman as being very attractive with their head scarves all of different colors, they're gorgeous and remind me of the forties and fifties when women wore scarves, especially to church.
I don't understand how anyone can say that they insist on wearing something offensive to you? My grandmother was very upset with me for having a beard. Had she forgotten that when she grew up many males continued to wear beards?
I don't understand how anyone can say that they insist on wearing something offensive to you? My grandmother was very upset with me for having a beard. Had she forgotten that when she grew up many males continued to wear beards?
5
Sadly, most Americans are totally ignorant about the basic tenets of Islam, and very few have any interaction--social or professional--with a Muslim. Islam is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion whose followers worship the same god of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as Jews and Christians. Even a superficial reading of the Quran reveals that its basic tenets are very similar to the teachings of Jesus--namely, allegiance to the one god and each individual's obligation to work for the greater good--understandable since the Abrahamic religions arose among the Middle East desert tribes. The Quran and traditions of Mohammad also stress the obligation of Muslims to honor and protect the People of the Book (Christians and Jews). I personally don't identify with any organized religion, but I can follow the humanistic teachings of the Abrahamic religions. It's so sad that the vast majority of Americans, including those who profess to be "good" Christians, are totally ignorant of the true message of our common religious roots. Karen Armstrong's excellent book A History of God: the 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam is a good starting point.
17
We know when we're being shot at.
Heck, most Americans are ignorant of the basic tenets of Catholicism, Judaism, Sikhism, and Hinduism, but its not a problem. No one is kicking Buddhists off airplanes.
I have traveled widely in the Middle East and have enjoyed its ways and its people, but I recently moved to a different sidewalk cafe on the Champs-Elysees when two Muslim women sat down beside me dressed in their full regalia. I felt badly about it, but why take chances? If people think badly of Islam, and if Islam is not that bad, then blame the most vocal and insistent of its messengers on Earth.
I have traveled widely in the Middle East and have enjoyed its ways and its people, but I recently moved to a different sidewalk cafe on the Champs-Elysees when two Muslim women sat down beside me dressed in their full regalia. I felt badly about it, but why take chances? If people think badly of Islam, and if Islam is not that bad, then blame the most vocal and insistent of its messengers on Earth.
5
Your comments worry me. You profess knowledge of the Abrahamic faiths but your understanding of Islam is truly incorrect. Mohammad's book, the Koran, is not laid out in chronological order but rather from the longest to the shortest verse. It is agreed that when the Koran is laid out in chronological order, the underdog of Mecca becomes the warlord of Messina. There is some verse relating to peace and honouring "people of the book". But this is the Meccan Mohammad. Once he starts contesting and killing in Medina, he issues the edict to kill the unbelievers and the Jews. Can you think that this command means anything but what it says? It is not a question of misinterpretation, And to say that Allah is the same God, once again shows your ignorance. Allah is based on the pagan moon God. There is no connection with the God of the Jews or the Christians Allah is antichrist. If you don't understand this, you are once again ignorant of the New Testament and of the Koran. Now consider this: Isis is living the live of Mohammad as they were enjoined to do. Moslems of the west deny this but they are either ignorant of their faith or perverting the truth. Read for yourself and find the truth,
2
So are we to feel sorry for Muslims? What are we supposed to do? I want the airlines to be overly vigilant and aggressive when I get on that plane. Hurt feelings? Given the history over the past 30 years I'd want a full cavity body search of every suspicious character, yes that's profiling.
32
How do you define "suspicious character"?
Given how Muslims in traditional dress are hassled, would anyone intent on terrorist action really wear anything that would identify them as Muslim? What did the 9/11 hijackers wear? They wore shirts, slacks and sunglasses.
Profiling Muslims in traditional dress merely takes resources away from identifying those who may cause real harm.
Given how Muslims in traditional dress are hassled, would anyone intent on terrorist action really wear anything that would identify them as Muslim? What did the 9/11 hijackers wear? They wore shirts, slacks and sunglasses.
Profiling Muslims in traditional dress merely takes resources away from identifying those who may cause real harm.
3
The correct way to deal with this 'overly vigilant' passengers and airlines: When someone complains about being 'uncomfortable' with another passenger, and the latter is to be deplaned, the former [ie the complainer] must also be deplaned. There a plenty of 'white folks' I feel uncomfortable flying with --
6
And when you are deemed to be a suspicious character, you will submit to a full cavity body search.
You'll be 100 percent willing to be on the receiving end of your own convictions.
Right.
You'll be 100 percent willing to be on the receiving end of your own convictions.
Right.
1
There have been several recent instances of "committing religious terror against America while Muslim" in NY, NJ, MN, FL, CA, TN, and elseware that may be putting Americans on edge. Does the interviewee have any thoughts on how her fellow citizens may be able to reconcile those feelings?
34
People of every ethnicity and culture have faced obstacles in assimilating in America so why should us Muslim Americans be treated any differently. Despite all of our trials and tribulations I think in the long run Muslims will become an integral and beloved people of this greatest country on earth.
5
I do see "lots of Hindu, Shinto, and Buddhist temples in the US," as well as synagogues and Reform temples. Not that many Tao temples, I suppose (is there such a thing?). But your idea of what "assimilate" means seems to be "convert to Christianity, or at the very least to secularism."
It's sad to think that there is anyone who believes that assimilation requires giving up one's religion, or that non-Christians arriving in this country (except for Muslims) should immediately give up their religion in order to "fit in." A large majority of all religiously observant immigrants to this country, past and present, assimilates to our culture without becoming heretics to their own faiths.
Even if it takes one or two generations to become "Americanized," religious conversion to Christianity in this Christian-hypocritical country of ours (or merely a conversion to secularism) is certainly not a requirement for achieving this. To think otherwise is absurd.
It's sad to think that there is anyone who believes that assimilation requires giving up one's religion, or that non-Christians arriving in this country (except for Muslims) should immediately give up their religion in order to "fit in." A large majority of all religiously observant immigrants to this country, past and present, assimilates to our culture without becoming heretics to their own faiths.
Even if it takes one or two generations to become "Americanized," religious conversion to Christianity in this Christian-hypocritical country of ours (or merely a conversion to secularism) is certainly not a requirement for achieving this. To think otherwise is absurd.
3
Correction for clarity: There's a "should" that shouldn't be there: Second paragraph, line 3--please omit that "should" if you are reading my comment. Thanks.
Human rights belong to all human
7
What does that have to do with anything? No one has a right to demand that others site at them. It isn't a civil right.
1
Thanks Diane and Roula.
The civil rights of our Muslim citizens and residents are trampled on a daily basis and being a non-Muslim, it breaks my heart that in 2016's America, people of certain faith have to go through such a terrible and harrowing experiences just like the Irish people and the Italians and our Jewish people suffered at the hands of the current perpetrators' parents and grand parents in the beginning and almost throughout the twentieth century.
Those horrible discriminatory actions should've never been allowed to happen in this 'land of the free'.
But reading your article we can easily see the same pattern of either violence or threats of violence that happened to the Jewish immigrants who came here right at the time of WW2 and thereafter.
Only a strong high handed approach and very strong legislation by the Congress under Ike's administration between 1952 and 1960,we saw noticeable changes to how we perceived the Jewish immigrants and their offspring.
We need the same approach and the very tough 'anti-hate' legislation from our current Congress to stop this very hateful and discriminatory practices by our pilots and our law enforcement officials who deplane an already boarded passenger just because a White person consider their Arabic language as threatening.
They should rather deplane the racist person who's making the complaint who thinks all the Muslims are terrorists just like their grand parents who thought the same about the Jews in 50's America.
The civil rights of our Muslim citizens and residents are trampled on a daily basis and being a non-Muslim, it breaks my heart that in 2016's America, people of certain faith have to go through such a terrible and harrowing experiences just like the Irish people and the Italians and our Jewish people suffered at the hands of the current perpetrators' parents and grand parents in the beginning and almost throughout the twentieth century.
Those horrible discriminatory actions should've never been allowed to happen in this 'land of the free'.
But reading your article we can easily see the same pattern of either violence or threats of violence that happened to the Jewish immigrants who came here right at the time of WW2 and thereafter.
Only a strong high handed approach and very strong legislation by the Congress under Ike's administration between 1952 and 1960,we saw noticeable changes to how we perceived the Jewish immigrants and their offspring.
We need the same approach and the very tough 'anti-hate' legislation from our current Congress to stop this very hateful and discriminatory practices by our pilots and our law enforcement officials who deplane an already boarded passenger just because a White person consider their Arabic language as threatening.
They should rather deplane the racist person who's making the complaint who thinks all the Muslims are terrorists just like their grand parents who thought the same about the Jews in 50's America.
26
"The civil rights of our Muslim citizens and residents are trampled on a daily basis"
How so? Where is your proof of this?
"They should rather deplane the racist person who's making the complaint who thinks all the Muslims are terrorists"
Muslims aren't a "race". Islam is not a racial category.
How so? Where is your proof of this?
"They should rather deplane the racist person who's making the complaint who thinks all the Muslims are terrorists"
Muslims aren't a "race". Islam is not a racial category.
6
The definition of 'discrimination' certainly is reaching a new definition these days: seemingly, funny stares are now oppression. Will Naomi Wolf be chiming in? I so liked her piece about that time she put a hijab on and then took it off again so she could better understand the plight of women living in a system of conservative religious misogyny.
My son-in-law, a PH.D. from Bangla Desh, is singled out at airports. When it happened at O'Hare, he was laconic, while I, an attorney, was furious. It doesn't matter to INS that he's atheist.
16
It is indeed a sad commentary that distrust and paranoia have become commonplace. When I fly and I'm sitting next to someone, I try to strike up an conversation. The conversation expands my horizons and my knowledge and appreciation of other cultures. If my fellow passenger chooses not to talk with me, I view that as their loss.
13
Your fellow passenger isn't obligated to talk to you.
4
But some cultures are just plain backwards and even criminal. But that's good to be aware of.
4