Was the airline right in not allowing six Imans to fly? Would you have boarded the plane with the Imans?

Question

Six Imams Removed From Twin Cities Flight
Muslim Group Calls for Investigation of Airline Staff, Security
By STEVE KARNOWSKI, AP

MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 21) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations called Tuesday for an investigation into the behavior of airline staff and airport security in the removal of six Muslim scholars from a US Airways flight a day earlier.

A passenger raised concerns about the Imams -- three of whom said their normal evening prayers in the airport terminal before boarding the Phoenix-bound plane, according to one -- through a note passed to a flight attendant, according to Andrea Rader, a spokeswoman for US Airways.

The six were returning from a conference in Minneapolis of the North American Imams Federation, said Omar Shahin of Phoenix, president of the group.

"They took us off the plane, humiliated us in a very disrespectful way," Shahin said after the incident.

Would you have boarded the plane with the Imans on board?

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Yes! I'd fly that brand of airline just to show my support!

Answer 2

I think they were trying to provoke a strong reaction like this. Airports have chapels or quiet places of worship where they can perform their prayers. They know what time they are supposed to pray, yet scheduled a flight during this time... in the current climate of nervousness with airport Threat Level high. If an airline can refuse boarding to someone with a stinky shirt on (which they can), then I think they're fully justified to remove these passengers for their provocative actions that could have been avoided if the passengers had just planned more wisely.

They talk of tolerance and ignorance... where's the tolerance toward the other passengers who most likely would find their actions very weird? I find that bit ironic.

Answer 3

Three Cheers for US Airways!!!

The answerer that said it would have been the safest flight because the imans would not blow themselves up is ignorant. All of the terrorists who have committed suicide bombings have been religious fanatics.

I thank US Airways for their courage in denying these imans boarding on the flight.

Answer 4

I would have boarded the plane; I don't think a terrorist group would target Imams..They are considered religious holy men.in the Islamic religion..

Answer 5

Of course I would have flown with them. The actions of the airline staff showed their total ignorance. This anti-islamic kick this country is on is very dangerous. By the way, I am an atheist, so I am not saying this to defend my religion.

Answer 6

Are you kidding? That would have been the safest flight! They aren't going to kill themselves and no one would attack that flight!