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Airline Apologizes to Muslims Kicked Off Flight

Family blame racial profiling; Muslim group plans to file complaint

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 3, 2009 6:55 AM CST
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(Newser) – A Muslim American family booted from a New Year's Day flight for allegedly making suspicious remarks has received an apology from AirTran, the Washington Post reports. The family was removed and interrogated after a pair of teenage girls heard two of them discussing which seats on an aircraft were safest and raised the alarm. AirTran apologized for the misunderstanding but said the steps taken were necessary.

The family blames racial profiling for the incident and a Muslim group plans to file a discrimination complaint. "We are Muslim-Americans and we fly a lot. So we understand there is a lot of scrutiny on us in the first place," one family member said. "But, we consider ourselves to be model citizens. It was appalling to know that this type of stuff can happen to you." AirTran—which refused to rebook the family members afterward—has now offered them refunds and a free flight home.

A Muslim family was removed from a flight at Washington's Reagan National Airport after passengers misconstrued a comment one of them made about airplane safety.
A Muslim family was removed from a flight at Washington's Reagan National Airport after passengers misconstrued a comment one of them made about airplane safety.   (Shutterstock)
AirTran has apologized for the misunderstanding and for the delays to their travel suffered by all the flight's passengers.
AirTran has apologized for the misunderstanding and for the delays to their travel suffered by all the flight's passengers.   (©wbaiv)
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A Muslim family is removed from a flight when passengers become concerned about their conversation, WJLA reports.   (CNN Video)

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The conversation we were having was the conversation anyone would have. She did not use the word 'bomb,' she did not use the word 'explosion.'
- Atif Irfa, a passenger removed
from the flight

There is a big difference between 'see something, say something,' which we all support, and reporting suspicions based solely on stereotyping and bias. - Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations

It was a very lighthearted conversation about the safest spot of the plane. But, I guess, these two teenage girls had gleaned from our conversation that we were going to try and take over the plane. - Kashif Irfan

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Cher
Jan 6, 2010 12:00 AM CST
If profiling bothered them then they should be ready for it since they know what we are looking for. Let them file their complaint and I hope it is thrown out. No rewards for them. This is the way it is. The muslims must understand and if they don't then too bad. I could care less about hurt feelings and that they are "model citizens". How are we supposed to know that when we see them and they are talking and acting strange. Did we forget that Maj. Hasan was a muslim american as well. Like that is supposed to make a difference. I'm glad they were thrown off the plane. They need to understand that they do not dictate to us. It is our country and we are the ones in charge. I have been in the middle east and you wouldn't believe what "they" did to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
riffran
Jan 4, 2009 10:36 PM CST
Talk about paranoia....but if you look at the demographics of terrorist, it does look bad for people who fit that profile...unfortunately.....being stigmatized for something YOU had nothing to do with stinks.....Profiling is a double edged weopon, but in a desperate situation what do ya do? No clear answer to that quandry....riff
Newser001
Jan 3, 2009 11:38 PM CST
As stated previous, there's something inherently wrong with Corona_king, and his view of the world; its unhealthy, narcissistic.

Offloaded passenger speaks out
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flight • Muslim Americans • Muslim • airport security • AirTran • racial profiling

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