Imam Khalid Latif is blogging his reflections during the month of Ramadan, featured daily on HuffPost Religion. For a complete record of his previous posts, click over to the Islamic Center at New York University or visit his author page, and to follow along with the rest of his reflections, sign up for an author e-mail alert above, visit his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter.
I'm about to board a flight to Houston at NYC's LaGuardia Airport. My flight is boarding in about 25 minutes. I checked-in at home and got here about 15 minutes ago.
There used be a time when I took domestic flights that I wasn't allowed to check-in from home and had to plan to be at the airport two hours before a domestic flight. When I would get to the airport, my boarding pass would print with "SSSS" on it, signifying that I was some kind of security threat. When it became my turn in line with the TSA agent checking IDs and boarding passes, a call would be made to a supervisor who would then escort me through the security line, place my belongings in a red bin as opposed to the regular grey one, and once I went through the metal detector, would be escorted to a glass encased box, one side of which was a bar that dropped behind me, I guess in case I tried to run away. The glass panels I guess were so everyone who was about to get on the plane with me could watch what was happening. I'm sure they found that comforting and appreciated it.
Another TSA worker would then come up to me while I was in the box. "Mr. Latif, we are going to do an extended pat-down on you at this time. I will be patting down your entire body with my hands including running a finger through your neckline and waistline. When I get to your more sensitive areas, such as your inner groin and backside, I will use the back of my hands instead of the front of them. Are you comfortable with this?" I would let a out a deep sigh, as in my mind I'm thinking, "Yes, I obviously was hoping to get felt up by a strange man this morning."
After that my belongings were searched through and then I would be told, "Thank you. Enjoy your flight."
There also used to be a time when I took international flights, I would be detained coming into the country. Whether I was traveling for work, in an official capacity on behalf of the State Department, or for leisure, I was consistently stopped. It got to the the point that I couldn't even get off the plane by myself. Our flight would land on the runway and an announcement would be made to have passports ready as TSA was doing random checks as we disembarked. Essentially I was the random check. When the two TSA agents at the door of the plane came to me and my passport in the line, the one who found me would say to the other, "I've found him," and then the two would escort me to the detaining room for a period of two to six hours at time. The room was full of people from very diverse backgrounds, mostly minorities.
I came to learn that it was best to travel without any electronics, as this prolonged the process. As my belongings were searched through, some of the TSA agents themselves became frustrated after finding my NYPD credentials or my State Department letters. I would be asked, "Why are we stopping you?" and my response would be, "If you don't know why you are stopping me, how am I supposed to know?"
After being stopped for three consecutive weekends straight, I asked one of the TSA workers who now knew me by name why he thought I was being stopped. "You're young. You're male. And you're Muslim. Those three things don't go so well together right now."
I didn't really understand the impact it was having on me until my wife and I traveled together for the first time for our honeymoon. We went to St. Lucia and our entry point back in the United States was through Miami. As we got up to leave the plane, I told her to not get off with me, as I didn't want her to somehow get detained as well. Two of our friends, Shala and Faraz, were going to be meeting us at the airport and Priya would hang out with them while I was being held.
She, of course, insisted on walking with me. We got out of the plane and no one was there to take me away. I assumed that it was because we were in Miami, and my usual entry point to the USA was through NYC when returning from an international visit. We then went through the customs check and I told her it might happen here, but then nothing happened. We then walked through the baggage claim, something I had not done without an escort for almost three years, and as we neared the exit I kept looking over my shoulder to see if someone was coming to stop me. We made it to the public area of the airport and Priya joked with me saying that she's my good luck charm and it's because I married her that I was not stopped. I responded by putting my arms around her, my head on her shoulder, and crying for the next few minutes.
Just because I am a Muslim, does not mean I am a threat. Just because I am Muslim, doesn't justify me being treated differently from anyone else. People every day are facing this reality because of their skin color, country of origin, culture, ethnicity, religious affiliation and many other variables. The emotional anxiety that is felt is not really describable. I've seen women who are pregnant in the detaining rooms and grandmothers in the glass box as their grandchildren watch them go through these experiences. To anyone who has gone through something similar, I'm sorry that you have been treated like that. It's not OK for you to be singled out or for anyone to justify a racist profiling of you and people like you. Be strong and true to who you are. The solution is not to hide yourself, but empower yourself, share your story and ensure that you are doing what you can so that those who come after you won't have to go through something similar.
I'm about to board my plane. The desk attendant just asked for us to have our boarding passes and ID cards ready as TSA is going to do a random search. Let's hope I didn't speak too soon :)
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Ramadan Reflections « NYC Ramadan
Ramadan, a sacred time for reflection, sacrifice to Muslims and ...
Whaaa.... white people are being oppressed!
The title of your blog was Ramadan Reflection Day 9: Racial Profiling
"Just because I am a Muslim, does not mean I am a threat. Just because I am Muslim, doesn't justify me being treated differently from anyone else".
"it's because I married her that I was not stopped"
so were you stopped and searched at the airport because of your race or religion, did you even know?
please be honest
I am originally from the Middle East and have been searched more than the average passenger on more than one occasion. I don't agree with profiling based on looks. I think it is naive. But I do understand it. And I feel empathy for those who have been responsible for keeping us safe - especially in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. When you're looking for a needle in the haystack and you are not sure what the needle looks like it is human nature to look for that which has hurt you before. Much in the same way, I suspect young guys with wide stares and bright colored hair are being unfairly judged by managers of movie theaters these days.
I wish you an easy and peaceful Ramadan.
I am sure Timothy McVeigh would have strolled straight through. Or that Norwegian mental case.
Home sweet home! Upon my arrival to good old U.S. of A. In Orlando International, I was greeted by my usual VIP service special agent because I'm always super random. I was told some super villain and I share a similar name, thank you random bad guy.To my surprise the groping was quick which grew a smile on my face. Apparently the weather in NY was so bad, it caused extensive flight delays.I can't win either way and I'm not going nuts, there's another Mexican James bond looking dude that's been following me like a super spy. I hope the man in khakis and black polo has the means to check my status updates. Please leave a comment spy guy and peace to the world. — at Orlando Intl Airport (｡◕‿◕｡).
I can't help but think, however, that this would not be an issue if a full 5% of your faith's fellow practitioners advocate open warfare against the West. I know that no religious argument can change your mind, but these profiles, while unfortunate and demeaning, are instituted for a reason. When was the last hi-jacking by a bunch of blonde 30-year old women?
It doesn't really matter. The comparison just shows that to profile the majority based on the actions of a few that share physical characteristics with the that majority is not only wasteful in terms of our spending, it is unjust.
As a 23-year old blonde woman who always stands out as an American when I travel abroad, I've been met with kindness and hospitality when traveling in foreign countries, no matter what the prevailing opinion of America is/has been at the time. The difference is, Mr. Latif lives here. After being pulled aside and vetted by the TSA time and time again, it is ridiculous that he still faced the added security screenings. He is no more a threat to our security than you or I.
Now, for profiling: If you happen to be a Jew from Israel, or you've ever visited Israel, then you're simply not allowed in most Muslim countries. Don't get me wrong, I've been to a few Middle Eastern countries and everyone there has been extremely nice to me, I've never had a single problem. But, I'm conflicted, because if I take a religious trip to Israel, then I can't ever come back unless I illegally forge documents. That's pretty far up there. All you had to do (and I've had to do) is have a bit more thorough checking with TSA.
Allow me to safely visit Israel, then this whole TSA thing will be relevant.
Practitioners of Islam are the only people who can keep the rest of the world safe from their compatriots without unfairness to all.
Right before the terminal a beautiful arrangement of what appeared to be elk or deer horns and my kids immediately started to take pictures, when an airport security guard scolded them that this is secured area and takes pictures are forbidden.
Upon entering the terminal through the glass windows, lo and behold the same TSA agent was having her picture and even posing with other passengers. My kids immediately started to take picture of her clearly discriminatory practice and enforcement of TSA policy. With great trepidation I decided to take this up with the local Chief of police who was standing next to her when this all transpired.
His answer: On behalf of the police department of Jackson I sincerely offered my apology to you and your family.
but a question comes to mind, were your children discriminated against based on their race or religion?
you seem to be confusing the two, here you say "the problem here is that most Muslims are afraid to speak out against racial profiling and harassment at the airport"
since when is Islam a race?
do you think John Esposito for example will be stopped and searched at the airport because of his race or religion, neither?
Who cares! Discrimination based on religion, race or ethnicity is a major violation of U.S Federal laws.
The only thing I really truly don't understand is, if the metal detector didn't ring then why would they check it?! and if I did hide something under my scarf, isn't it the same as hiding something under your t-shirt or under your jeans? Why isn't everyone checked like I was?!