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AMP Report – December 14, 2006
Harassment of returning American Hajjis feared
Fearing harassment of American Muslims returning after performing Hajj, the Council on American Islamic Relations, met with the officials of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to discuss hassle-free travel for the Hajj pilgrims.
Some 10,000 American Muslims are just beginning to leave for Hajj and will be returning in early January.
The CAIR has also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to ensure safe traveling for the Hajj pilgrims.
Following recent reports of "flying while Muslim" airport profiling incidents, the CAIR is offering a toll-free hotline for the returning Hajjis who may experience any difficulty and extra probe by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.
It may be recalled that six Imams were removed from a domestic flight and detained for several hours because they offered prayers at the airport.
The CAIR has also advised the Hajj pilgrims to review their rights and responsibilities as airlines passengers, in order to facilitate efficient traveling and to avoid unnecessary delays.
"Given the increase in the number of complaints CAIR has received alleging airport profiling of American Muslims, we believe it is important that all those taking part in this year's Hajj be aware of their legal and civil rights," said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
The civil rights group has advised the returning Hajjis not to bring Zam Zam water in hand luggage and bring only processed and sufficiently dry dates from Saudi Arabia.
In its " Your Rights and Responsibilities as an American Muslim" pocket guide, CAIR states:
"As an airline passenger, you are entitled to courteous, respectful and non-stigmatizing treatment by airline and security personnel. You have the right to complain about treatment that you believe is discriminatory. If you believe you have been treated in a discriminatory manner, immediately:
1. Ask for the names and ID numbers of all persons involved in the incident. Be sure to write this information down.
2. Ask to speak to a supervisor.
3. Ask if you have been singled out because of your name, looks, dress, race, ethnicity, faith, or national origin.
4. Ask witnesses to give you their names and contact information.
5. Write down a statement of facts immediately after the incident. Be sure to include the flight number, the flight date, and the name of the airline.
6. Contact CAIR to file a report. If you are leaving the country, leave a detailed message, with the information above at 202-488-8787."
"Given the increase in the number of complaints CAIR has received alleging airport profiling of American Muslims, we believe it is important that all those taking part in this year's Hajj be aware of their legal and civil rights," said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
Hajj is one of the "five pillars" of the Islamic faith. (The other pillars include a declaration of faith, daily prayers, offering regular charity, and fasting during the month of Ramadan.) Pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey.
When the main portion of the pilgrimage is completed, Muslims worldwide gather for communal prayers on the first day of Eid ul-Adha (eed-al-ODD-ha), the second of the two major Muslim holidays.
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