The real target of the 6 imams' 'discrimination' suit

[Sofiyya 1,687]

gary, if it was solely their actions on the plane that got them in trouble, then why is everyone focusing on saying "well, they shouldn't have been praying like that. makes people suspicious. they don't *have* to pray like that. they're imams, they should know better." What was the suspicious action on the plane absent that? What action would you say "Don't do that."

Maybe they drew attention to themselves. The trial will tell that, if it comes to it. But if they did so, they did so by doing nothing illegal or dangerous or threatening, just by appealing to people's prejudices. That's true whether they are innocent victims or careful civil rights plotters.

And you can get arrested on a plane for almost anything. I'll look up the article later, but there's a very funny story from this summer about someone who dropped an iPod or a cellphone by accident in the toilet on an airplane en route to Ottawa, couldn't get it out, called the flight attendant, and when the plane landed, found himself interrogated by Canadian and American officials for about three hours, because they had to rule out that he was trying to fiddle with some sort of explosive in the toilet. And after questioning, he was released. (Just like the imams, who weren't held for anything, either.)

Unfortunately, praying in Arabic in public in an airport CAN cause problems for Muslims. While it may be argued that Muslim prayers SHOULD not be suspicious, in a matter of fact, under some circumstances, they are. Blame it on racism, on media hype, on Xenophobia, blame it on whatever you choose. So, maybe it shouldn't inflame prejudices, but it can, and Islam and Muslim scholars allow for accomodation in such circumstances.

For example, after 9/11, scholars authorized Muslim women who wore hijab not to wear it if it would put them in danger. This is along the same line as the allowance not to do full prayers when traveling, which, in fact, is an allowance given by God. One need only use their own discretion because although one CAN do something and it not be illegal, doing it may cause problems for them.

And, YES, imams know that they do have a choice. Either that, or they're not educated as they should be.

Frankly, I'm terribly uncomfortable with the banner being carried by non-Muslims that presents us as victims who need to press forward aggressively in manners such as this. They are not the ones who pay the price; it is not they who are in the forefront. They need to follow our lead rather than stand for us. So, yes, as has been acknowledged, one can be arrested for almost anything, praying in Arabic in an airport and flying while Arab included. Railing against it won't change that. Creating resentment won't change that. Frankly, as Muslims in America, as Arabs, we chose for too long to maintain a low profile in the US until 9/11 outed us. Now, if we want to be understood, we have a duty to come out of our isolation and educate, participate, help allay fears of us as the unknown. We can't afford to just be angry.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Well said GEG.

[Scott & Lai 12]

Well said GEG.

[cbd2cai 0]

to GEG!!