Full Version: Flying while arab/muslim
Well in a city with nothing except arabs/muslims, I doubt we'd be considered suspicious.
You could both show up wearing bib overalls and bill caps???
QUOTE(just_waiting @ Aug 24 2006, 10:20 PM) 
You could both show up wearing bib overalls and bill caps???
Hmm.. got a point there
QUOTE(iceyspots @ Aug 24 2006, 10:28 PM)
QUOTE(just_waiting @ Aug 24 2006, 10:20 PM)
You could both show up wearing bib overalls and bill caps???
Hmm.. got a point there
OH NOES!
QUOTE(just_waiting @ Aug 24 2006, 10:20 PM)
You could both show up wearing bib overalls and bill caps???
I will be incognito
QUOTE(Mrs. Z @ Aug 24 2006, 08:14 AM)
Hehehehehe..mission accomplished. I love the smell of pissed off in the morning.
You don't know me, honey. I don't have to explain nor brag about what "I've done" for my husband or how much he loves me. Aren't you sweet? You're gonna let him be Algerian but he's gotta "adjust" to being American just like you did for him. Puleeeeease!
I'm proud of my Egyptian husband and I hope he stays that way even here in the good ol' US of A.
Yes, I'm intolerant...intolerant of ppl like yourself.
QUOTE(samir_shannon @ Aug 24 2006, 11:08 AM)
QUOTE(Mrs. Z @ Aug 24 2006, 10:56 AM)
This is a public forum so yes, I have a right to say anything I want. The fact that you put info about yourself and your fiance also makes it up for grabs...sorry. Anyhooo....many of your statements point to intolerance. Remember this one?....my fiance will use TP, I will not put a watering can in my bathroom..something to that effect. Everyone knows Muslims use water to clean after the toilet. Will you also tell him he's not allowed to eat Algerian food because he's in the states now? Boy do I feel sorry for him. Now women shouldn't wear higab because other ppl don't like. We live in a big, big world full of all different kinds of ppl. Deal with it.
I'm me...that's who the hell I think I am!
QUOTE(samir_shannon @ Aug 24 2006, 10:50 AM)
QUOTE(Mrs. Z @ Aug 24 2006, 10:36 AM)
I've noticed that you're quite intolerant of change. Is your fiance Muslim? Cuz if he is..you're in for a real treat in the long run.
If ppl are a afraid of a simple piece of cloth on a woman's head that's just sad.
QUOTE(samir_shannon @ Aug 24 2006, 10:18 AM)
QUOTE(lostinlove228 @ Aug 23 2006, 01:34 PM)
I am flying out next month with the Hijab on. Will say if they give me a trouble...
well dont wear one then.........problem solved.
hold on a minute... u dont have no right to say i am intolerant of change. who do you think you are? i was simply saying if she thinks she will have a hard time because of it then dont wear it. and my relationship with my fiance is none of your business
first of all you have a smart mouth. got it? i am not intolerant of my fiance and we have a good relationship. i went to algeria and followed his culture when i was there. second, my fiance knows i am not a muslim and we have been together for almost 3 years. and you feel sorry for him? do you have any idea what i have done for my fiance? so let me get this straight you see me post my OPINIONS and you think because of what i post on VJ you can judge me and my whole relationship with my fiance. i wasnt saying for her not to wear it because other people didnt like it. i was saying dont wear it to save her some trouble and have an easier trip thats all. i wore a hijab there in algeria just because it would keep people from staring at me and it was thier culture. samir has to adjust to american life as i have to adjust to algerian life when i am there. and for your information you seem to be intolerant. just because i am engaged to someone from algeria doesnt mean that i am in that culture, he loves me for who i am and understands i am not a muslim and he has been able to accept that. i fell sorry for your bad attitude. and if you think i am one to take your crap you picked the wrong one...............
Please respect others more. THanks.... Seriously.
aww how cute
QUOTE(iceyspots @ Aug 25 2006, 12:10 AM)
aww how cute
And he has an evil laugh
BWAHAHAHAHHAAHAH
QUOTE(iceyspots @ Aug 25 2006, 12:37 AM)
BWAHAHAHAHHAAHAH
And he is coming to a town near you.... (Hide the kids LoL)
QUOTE(just_waiting @ Aug 24 2006, 09:20 PM)
You could both show up wearing bib overalls and bill caps???
I just bought me a pair of bib overalls last night, .....now I 'm SCARED....!
Well, I stepped in it...
Ok Ok I know... how about dressed like an 80s Madonna wannabe??? Huge hair, big wide belt, high heels and leg warmers...
Ok Ok I know... how about dressed like an 80s Madonna wannabe??? Huge hair, big wide belt, high heels and leg warmers...
Naw, you know me, the old throw back from the 60's??? I still cant part with those platform shoes, but I did upgrade to hootchie mamma skirts.
G' Morning Ladies!
You guys are making me hungry talking about Cedarland, al Ameers, ma'mouls, etc.
We definitely have to go out sometime....either before or after Miss Henia gets hitched
Y'all are cracking me up with your pics!!! LOL!! I miss all the good stuff at night...damn it for not having net at home!!!
PS..Sorry Captain, I promise to play nicer in the future
Have a good one..Happy Friday!!!!!
You guys are making me hungry talking about Cedarland, al Ameers, ma'mouls, etc.
We definitely have to go out sometime....either before or after Miss Henia gets hitched
Y'all are cracking me up with your pics!!! LOL!! I miss all the good stuff at night...damn it for not having net at home!!!
PS..Sorry Captain, I promise to play nicer in the future
Have a good one..Happy Friday!!!!!
Hehehehehe...that is just about the cutest little doggy I've ever seen.
QUOTE(Henia @ Aug 25 2006, 12:08 AM)
he almost looks like our little shih tzu when he was a puppy
I got on the bus this morning to go to work. Sitting in the back was a man reading the Quran and wearing a "thing on his head." He was wispering the Quran to himself, but since i was sitting in front of him I could hear him nice and clear. I must say it was nice to hear him reading. I don't think people were uncomfortable with it because a lot of them sat around us when there was pleanty of space elsewhere. SO that was nice this morning!
Henia- When I was scrolling down on the page with the orangatang, I think, It came on the screen and I burst out laughing in the middle of work! All the Pics are so cute!
Henia- When I was scrolling down on the page with the orangatang, I think, It came on the screen and I burst out laughing in the middle of work! All the Pics are so cute!
QUOTE(samir_shannon @ Aug 24 2006, 10:18 AM)
QUOTE(lostinlove228 @ Aug 23 2006, 01:34 PM)
I am flying out next month with the Hijab on. Will say if they give me a trouble...
well dont wear one then.........problem solved.
No you see, I will keep my Hijab on even if it cost me my life. Don't wear one, how dare. Learn some respect.
It have been said in this thread that there is no Anti Islamic view on VJ. whoever actually thinks that, What world do you live in. I have read plenty of that crap on here.
I think many people don't realize the quran is supposed to be read aloud as is prayer. That might be part of the problem with people being offended by it. Muslims aren't trying to force their religion on anyone. They are doing what they are supposed to do.
As far as the "don't wear one" comment, it has taken me a lot not to respond to it, and I don't wear one. However I think the person making the comment doesn't understand the significance of it. It's a symbol and much more then just a "thing on the head".
I may wear hijab one day. I have to be sure I am truly commited to it in my heart before I do it. I don't want to be a hypocrit. I spoke with a scholar from Cairo university about this. He said I am not "bad" because I don't wear it as long as I don't flaunt myself publically. Well... "flaunting" is definitely not my style. Again, although I know it galls a few on this board, I will say it's all about your intention.
As far as the "don't wear one" comment, it has taken me a lot not to respond to it, and I don't wear one. However I think the person making the comment doesn't understand the significance of it. It's a symbol and much more then just a "thing on the head".
I may wear hijab one day. I have to be sure I am truly commited to it in my heart before I do it. I don't want to be a hypocrit. I spoke with a scholar from Cairo university about this. He said I am not "bad" because I don't wear it as long as I don't flaunt myself publically. Well... "flaunting" is definitely not my style. Again, although I know it galls a few on this board, I will say it's all about your intention.
QUOTE(iceyspots @ Aug 23 2006, 07:08 PM)
Largest Muslim Populations in the World
Rank Country Muslim Population
1 Indonesia 182,570,000
2 Pakistan 134,480,000
3 India 121,000,000
4 Bangladesh 114,080,000
5 Turkey 65,510,000
6 Iran 62,430,000
7 Egypt 58,630,000
8 Nigeria 53,000,000
9 Algeria 30,530,000
10 Morocco 28,780,000
hmm... ??? the first arab country with muslim populations doesn't even start until #7.
just out of curiosity...where is Jordan on the list?? (you may have answered but I haven't been here in a while and there are like 20 pages to read...so I figured I'd just ask) hehe
QUOTE(Natashabrenda @ Aug 23 2006, 08:05 PM)
And guess what ,these ppl did NOT have a problem with me or my son until )9/11 and we put out the American Flag (do that each and every year since 9/11 and always get yelled at and called all names in the book) and it started since then it was obvious to them that we are the "enemy".
I know lots of ppl have a problem with seeing an Amrican Soldier.But that is bc they do not undersatnd that a soldier gets orders and has to follow them.My man has not asked to go down to Iraq,he had orders to go.
Nat
ok ok... If I was in Germany...and wanted to wave an American flag, I would 100% expect ppl to be completely nasty to me!! We don't wave a Jordanian flag in my home because we don't want that trouble here... (just my thought on that part)
on the note of "i know ppl have a problem with seeing an american soldier etc...." Do you not understand that ALL SOLDIERS get orders and have to follow them? Arab, American, German, Moroccan, Egyptian, Australian, Brittish (need I go on???)
I'm not saying this in a negative way to you...I just wanted to re-word it and hopefully it will strike a positive note to you and help you to see things in a different light
All soldiers just do what they are told...yeah it so happened that 9/11 was Muslim...but it could be any person on any day in any situation.... We could go to wal-mart tomorrow and be blown to bits because there was another Timothy Mcvey (or however you spell it).............I hope this didn't ruffle feathers coz it was not my intention
amal
QUOTE(Mrs. Z @ Aug 25 2006, 09:34 AM)
G' Morning Ladies!
You guys are making me hungry talking about Cedarland, al Ameers, ma'mouls, etc.
We definitely have to go out sometime....either before or after Miss Henia gets hitched
Y'all are cracking me up with your pics!!! LOL!! I miss all the good stuff at night...damn it for not having net at home!!!
PS..Sorry Captain, I promise to play nicer in the future
Have a good one..Happy Friday!!!!!
You guys are making me hungry talking about Cedarland, al Ameers, ma'mouls, etc.
We definitely have to go out sometime....either before or after Miss Henia gets hitched
Y'all are cracking me up with your pics!!! LOL!! I miss all the good stuff at night...damn it for not having net at home!!!
PS..Sorry Captain, I promise to play nicer in the future
Have a good one..Happy Friday!!!!!
Well unfortunely my countdown is now on 11 days until D-day...(oops I mean my depature)... but I am sure Icey could keep you well entertained LoL while I am gone... Inchallah I will be back Nov 6.
But hmmm we should get together...
ok...whatever time it was when I posted last in this thread....is how long it took me to read from where I left off a few days ago... (roughly 2 hours) and I had been reading quite a while before that... WOW so many things to say and not enough time....not enough space.....WOW... I can say that no matter your views...I like all of you and even when the cookie has crumbled its last crumble...you all are still able to find a smile and go on with ur days!! i love you all..... Differences are what keep us human. And as far as the pictures that have been posted....TOOO ADORABLE!!!!!
QUOTE(amal @ Aug 25 2006, 11:00 PM)
ok...whatever time it was when I posted last in this thread....is how long it took me to read from where I left off a few days ago... (roughly 2 hours) and I had been reading quite a while before that... WOW so many things to say and not enough time....not enough space.....WOW... I can say that no matter your views...I like all of you and even when the cookie has crumbled its last crumble...you all are still able to find a smile and go on with ur days!! i love you all..... Differences are what keep us human. And as far as the pictures that have been posted....TOOO ADORABLE!!!!!
We love you too Amal....
The sisterhood ring ya know?!
sisterhood rules! 
QUOTE(amal @ Aug 25 2006, 08:31 PM)
QUOTE(iceyspots @ Aug 23 2006, 07:08 PM)
Largest Muslim Populations in the World
Rank Country Muslim Population
1 Indonesia 182,570,000
2 Pakistan 134,480,000
3 India 121,000,000
4 Bangladesh 114,080,000
5 Turkey 65,510,000
6 Iran 62,430,000
7 Egypt 58,630,000
8 Nigeria 53,000,000
9 Algeria 30,530,000
10 Morocco 28,780,000
hmm... ??? the first arab country with muslim populations doesn't even start until #7.
Only 20% of Muslims are Arabic. The rest are from the rest of the world.
just out of curiosity...where is Jordan on the list?? (you may have answered but I haven't been here in a while and there are like 20 pages to read...so I figured I'd just ask) hehe
QUOTE(desert_fox @ Aug 22 2006, 04:14 PM)
bigots....hahaha..thats funny...not me
look up the meaning of assimilate please......I could care less what religion you belong to....just keep it private and do it in your home, church, synagogue, mosque, wherever,,,,but not on the airplane that Im on.
dont wanna be a part of our society, then Im sure that some other place would suit you better.
I was wondering how many of the 30 pages of responses I would get through before the old "if you don't like it go home/elsewhere" statement would come up... didn't take long at all
One day we'll learn not to waste our time trying to explain ourselves to folks here or elsewhere inshallah
Assimilate... isn't that what the borg always wanted?
QUOTE(Veiled Princess @ Aug 26 2006, 08:20 PM)
QUOTE(desert_fox @ Aug 22 2006, 04:14 PM)
bigots....hahaha..thats funny...not me
look up the meaning of assimilate please......I could care less what religion you belong to....just keep it private and do it in your home, church, synagogue, mosque, wherever,,,,but not on the airplane that Im on.
dont wanna be a part of our society, then Im sure that some other place would suit you better.
I was wondering how many of the 30 pages of responses I would get through before the old "if you don't like it go home/elsewhere" statement would come up... didn't take long at all
One day we'll learn not to waste our time trying to explain ourselves to folks here or elsewhere inshallah
Assimilate... isn't that what the borg always wanted?
I wonder if the native indians told this same thing to the english when they landed on plymouth rock?
I got this saddening email in my box today from a friend Raed...about a recent flight....What do you all think of it?
"I went to JFK in the morning to catch my Jet Blue plane to California. I reached Terminal 6 at around 7:15 am, issued a boarding pass, and checked all my bags in, and then walked to the security checkpoint. For the first time in my life, I was taken to a secondary search . My shoes were searched, and I was asked for my boarding pass and ID. After passing the security, I walked to check where gate 16 was, then I went to get something to eat. I got some cheese and grapes with some orange juice and I went back to Gate 16 and sat down in the boarding area enjoying my breakfast and some sunshine.
At around 8:30, two men approached me while I was checking my phone. One of them asked me if I had a minute and he showed me his badge, I said: "sure". We walked some few steps and stood in front of the boarding counter where I found out that they were accompanied by another person, a woman from Jet Blue.
One of the two men who approached me first, Inspector Harris, asked for my id card and boarding pass. I gave him my boarding pass and driver's license. He said "people are feeling offended because of your t-shirt". I looked at my t-shirt: I was wearing my shirt which states in both Arabic and English "we will not be silent". You can take a look at it in this picture taken during our Jordan meetings with Iraqi MPs. I said "I am very sorry if I offended anyone, I didnt know that this t-shirt will be offensive". He asked me if I had any other T-shirts to put on, and I told him that I had checked in all of my bags and I asked him "why do you want me to take off my t-shirt? Isn't it my constitutional right to express myself in this way?" The second man in a greenish suit interfered and said "people here in the US don't understand these things about constitutional rights". So I answered him "I live in the US, and I understand it is my right to wear this t-shirt".
Then I once again asked the three of them : "How come you are asking me to change my t-shirt? Isn't this my constitutional right to wear it? I am ready to change it if you tell me why I should. Do you have an order against Arabic t-shirts? Is there such a law against Arabic script?" so inspector Harris answered "you can't wear a t-shirt with Arabic script and come to an airport. It is like wearing a t-shirt that reads "I am a robber" and going to a bank". I said "but the message on my t-shirt is not offensive, it just says "we will not be silent". I got this t-shirt from Washington DC. There are more than a 1000 t-shirts printed with the same slogan, you can google them or email them at wewillnotbesilent@gmail.com . It is printed in many other languages: Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, English, etc." Inspector Harris said: "We cant make sure that your t-shirt means we will not be silent, we don't have a translator. Maybe it means something else". I said: "But as you can see, the statement is in both Arabic and English". He said "maybe it is not the same message". So based on the fact that Jet Blue doesn't have a translator, anything in Arabic is suspicious because maybe it'll mean something bad!
Meanwhile, a third man walked in our direction. He stood with us without introducing himself, and he looked at inspector Harris's notes and asks him: "is that his information?", inspector Harris answered "yes". The third man, Mr. Harmon, asks inspector Harris : "can I copy this information?", and inspector Harris says "yes, sure".
inspector Harris said: "You don't have to take of your t-shirt, just put it on inside-out". I refused to put on my shirt inside-out. So the woman interfered and said "let's reach a compromise. I will buy you a new t-shirt and you can put it on on top of this one". I said "I want to keep this t-shirt on". Both inspector Harris and Mr. Harmon said "No, we can't let you get on that airplane with your t-shirt". I said "I am ready to put on another t-shirt if you tell me what is the law that requires such a thing. I want to talk to your supervisor". Inspector Harris said "You don't have to talk to anyone. Many people called and complained about your t-shirt. Jetblue customers were calling before you reached the checkpoint, and costumers called when you were waiting here in the boarding area".
it was then that I realized that my t-shirt was the reason why I had been taken to the secondary checking.
I asked the four people again to let me talk to any supervisor, and they refused.
The Jet Blue woman was asking me again to end this problem by just putting on a new t-shirt, and I felt threatened by Mr. Harmon's remarks as in "Let's end this the nice way". Taking in consideration what happens to other Arabs and Muslims in US airports, and realizing that I will miss my flight unless I covered the Arabic script on my t-shirt as I was told by the four agents, I asked the Jet Blue woman to buy me a t-shirt and I said "I don't want to miss my flight."
She asked, what kind of t-shirts do you like. Should I get you an "I heart new york t-shirt?". So Mr. Harmon said "No, we shouldn't ask him to go from one extreme to another". I asked mr. harmon why does he assume I hate new york if I had some Arabic script on my t-shirt, but he didn't answer.
The woman went away for 3 minutes, and she came back with a gray t-shirt reading "new york". I put the t-shirt on and removed the price tag. I told the four people who were involved in the conversation: "I feel very sad that my personal freedom was taken away like this. I grew up under authoritarian governments in the Middle East, and one of the reasons I chose to move to the US was that I don't want an officer to make me change my t-shirt. I will pursue this incident today through a Constitutional rights organization, and I am sure we will meet soon". Everyone said okay and left, and I went back to my seat.
At 8:50 I was called again by a fourth young man, standing with the same jetblue woman. He asked for my boarding pass, so I gave it to him, and stood in front of the boarding counter. I asked the woman: "is everything okay?", she responded: "Yes, sure. We just have to change your seat". I said: "but I want this seat, that's why I chose it online 4 weeks ago", the fourth man said " there is a lady with a toddler sitting there. We need the seat."
Then they re-issued me a small boarding pass for seat 24a, instead of seat 3a. They said that I can go to the airplane now. I was the first person who entered the airplane, and I was really annoyed about being assigned this seat in the back of the airplane too. It smelled like the bathrooms, which is why I had originally chosen a seat which would be far from that area.
It sucks to be an Arab/Muslim living in the US these days. When you go to the middle east, you are a US tax-payer destroying people's houses with your money, and when you come back to the US, you are a suspected terrorist and plane hijacker."
"I went to JFK in the morning to catch my Jet Blue plane to California. I reached Terminal 6 at around 7:15 am, issued a boarding pass, and checked all my bags in, and then walked to the security checkpoint. For the first time in my life, I was taken to a secondary search . My shoes were searched, and I was asked for my boarding pass and ID. After passing the security, I walked to check where gate 16 was, then I went to get something to eat. I got some cheese and grapes with some orange juice and I went back to Gate 16 and sat down in the boarding area enjoying my breakfast and some sunshine.
At around 8:30, two men approached me while I was checking my phone. One of them asked me if I had a minute and he showed me his badge, I said: "sure". We walked some few steps and stood in front of the boarding counter where I found out that they were accompanied by another person, a woman from Jet Blue.
One of the two men who approached me first, Inspector Harris, asked for my id card and boarding pass. I gave him my boarding pass and driver's license. He said "people are feeling offended because of your t-shirt". I looked at my t-shirt: I was wearing my shirt which states in both Arabic and English "we will not be silent". You can take a look at it in this picture taken during our Jordan meetings with Iraqi MPs. I said "I am very sorry if I offended anyone, I didnt know that this t-shirt will be offensive". He asked me if I had any other T-shirts to put on, and I told him that I had checked in all of my bags and I asked him "why do you want me to take off my t-shirt? Isn't it my constitutional right to express myself in this way?" The second man in a greenish suit interfered and said "people here in the US don't understand these things about constitutional rights". So I answered him "I live in the US, and I understand it is my right to wear this t-shirt".
Then I once again asked the three of them : "How come you are asking me to change my t-shirt? Isn't this my constitutional right to wear it? I am ready to change it if you tell me why I should. Do you have an order against Arabic t-shirts? Is there such a law against Arabic script?" so inspector Harris answered "you can't wear a t-shirt with Arabic script and come to an airport. It is like wearing a t-shirt that reads "I am a robber" and going to a bank". I said "but the message on my t-shirt is not offensive, it just says "we will not be silent". I got this t-shirt from Washington DC. There are more than a 1000 t-shirts printed with the same slogan, you can google them or email them at wewillnotbesilent@gmail.com . It is printed in many other languages: Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, English, etc." Inspector Harris said: "We cant make sure that your t-shirt means we will not be silent, we don't have a translator. Maybe it means something else". I said: "But as you can see, the statement is in both Arabic and English". He said "maybe it is not the same message". So based on the fact that Jet Blue doesn't have a translator, anything in Arabic is suspicious because maybe it'll mean something bad!
Meanwhile, a third man walked in our direction. He stood with us without introducing himself, and he looked at inspector Harris's notes and asks him: "is that his information?", inspector Harris answered "yes". The third man, Mr. Harmon, asks inspector Harris : "can I copy this information?", and inspector Harris says "yes, sure".
inspector Harris said: "You don't have to take of your t-shirt, just put it on inside-out". I refused to put on my shirt inside-out. So the woman interfered and said "let's reach a compromise. I will buy you a new t-shirt and you can put it on on top of this one". I said "I want to keep this t-shirt on". Both inspector Harris and Mr. Harmon said "No, we can't let you get on that airplane with your t-shirt". I said "I am ready to put on another t-shirt if you tell me what is the law that requires such a thing. I want to talk to your supervisor". Inspector Harris said "You don't have to talk to anyone. Many people called and complained about your t-shirt. Jetblue customers were calling before you reached the checkpoint, and costumers called when you were waiting here in the boarding area".
it was then that I realized that my t-shirt was the reason why I had been taken to the secondary checking.
I asked the four people again to let me talk to any supervisor, and they refused.
The Jet Blue woman was asking me again to end this problem by just putting on a new t-shirt, and I felt threatened by Mr. Harmon's remarks as in "Let's end this the nice way". Taking in consideration what happens to other Arabs and Muslims in US airports, and realizing that I will miss my flight unless I covered the Arabic script on my t-shirt as I was told by the four agents, I asked the Jet Blue woman to buy me a t-shirt and I said "I don't want to miss my flight."
She asked, what kind of t-shirts do you like. Should I get you an "I heart new york t-shirt?". So Mr. Harmon said "No, we shouldn't ask him to go from one extreme to another". I asked mr. harmon why does he assume I hate new york if I had some Arabic script on my t-shirt, but he didn't answer.
The woman went away for 3 minutes, and she came back with a gray t-shirt reading "new york". I put the t-shirt on and removed the price tag. I told the four people who were involved in the conversation: "I feel very sad that my personal freedom was taken away like this. I grew up under authoritarian governments in the Middle East, and one of the reasons I chose to move to the US was that I don't want an officer to make me change my t-shirt. I will pursue this incident today through a Constitutional rights organization, and I am sure we will meet soon". Everyone said okay and left, and I went back to my seat.
At 8:50 I was called again by a fourth young man, standing with the same jetblue woman. He asked for my boarding pass, so I gave it to him, and stood in front of the boarding counter. I asked the woman: "is everything okay?", she responded: "Yes, sure. We just have to change your seat". I said: "but I want this seat, that's why I chose it online 4 weeks ago", the fourth man said " there is a lady with a toddler sitting there. We need the seat."
Then they re-issued me a small boarding pass for seat 24a, instead of seat 3a. They said that I can go to the airplane now. I was the first person who entered the airplane, and I was really annoyed about being assigned this seat in the back of the airplane too. It smelled like the bathrooms, which is why I had originally chosen a seat which would be far from that area.
It sucks to be an Arab/Muslim living in the US these days. When you go to the middle east, you are a US tax-payer destroying people's houses with your money, and when you come back to the US, you are a suspected terrorist and plane hijacker."
that really sux... and I love JetBlue - it's usually my preferred airline. I want to inquire w/ them if this incident is true and complain abt it.... that really sux 
Rahma started the thread with a link to Raed's account, so I think many people have expressed their opinion on that incident - apparently some think it is fine to target people wearing t-shirts with Arabic writing and others feel strongly against it.
I can understand why people were nervous about it, but I also think it was not right that he should have had to change his shirt.
However, in Jet Blue's defense, they ARE a customer-service company. If they really did receive numerous complaints, then they do have to inconvenience the one to make the many feel safe, happy, whatever. It's just economics....lose one customer, or lose 10.
Still, I do disagree with the whole thing. We have rules and laws in this country for a reason. They are not selective; they apply to all Americans whether white, brown, black, yellow, red, orange, or purple; Xian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Scientologist, or athiest. Unless there is a law banning arabic writing, nothing can be done about it legally.
However, in Jet Blue's defense, they ARE a customer-service company. If they really did receive numerous complaints, then they do have to inconvenience the one to make the many feel safe, happy, whatever. It's just economics....lose one customer, or lose 10.
Still, I do disagree with the whole thing. We have rules and laws in this country for a reason. They are not selective; they apply to all Americans whether white, brown, black, yellow, red, orange, or purple; Xian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Scientologist, or athiest. Unless there is a law banning arabic writing, nothing can be done about it legally.
yep..thats right
Here's the response email I got. Lots of fluff, no substance.
Dear Ms. ______
Thank you for giving us an opportunity to address the situation reported on DemocracyNow.org and
other sites. We are working with the TSA to fully understand the situation, and we have not
concluded our fact-finding yet.
Our fundamental responsibility as an airline is to provide safe and secure travel for all of our
customers. This requires us to be sensitive to the concerns of all of our customers, while also
upholding the rights of the individual. We value diversity, among our customers as well as our
crewmembers. We take our responsibility seriously, and should there be an opportunity to improve our
effectiveness, we will take the appropriate action.
We appreciate your interest in this matter as well as your understanding of all our customers'
needs. We remain available should you have any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jason Ward
Director Customer Commitment
JetBlue Airways
Dear Ms. ______
Thank you for giving us an opportunity to address the situation reported on DemocracyNow.org and
other sites. We are working with the TSA to fully understand the situation, and we have not
concluded our fact-finding yet.
Our fundamental responsibility as an airline is to provide safe and secure travel for all of our
customers. This requires us to be sensitive to the concerns of all of our customers, while also
upholding the rights of the individual. We value diversity, among our customers as well as our
crewmembers. We take our responsibility seriously, and should there be an opportunity to improve our
effectiveness, we will take the appropriate action.
We appreciate your interest in this matter as well as your understanding of all our customers'
needs. We remain available should you have any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jason Ward
Director Customer Commitment
JetBlue Airways
... American redundancy at its finest.
It all comes down to money, not responsibility. They'd rather lose one customer then the herd of bleeting nincompoops that think a man wearing a t-shirt with Arabic script on it is a terrorist.
Can we examine one thing? Aren't terrorists on airplanes trying to be SNEAKY??? Why would an Arab terrorist walk onto an airplane wearing an Arabic t-shirt blatantly advertising the fact that he's Arab if he wants to do bad things? Especially given how over-the-edge people are these days?
It all comes down to money, not responsibility. They'd rather lose one customer then the herd of bleeting nincompoops that think a man wearing a t-shirt with Arabic script on it is a terrorist.
Can we examine one thing? Aren't terrorists on airplanes trying to be SNEAKY??? Why would an Arab terrorist walk onto an airplane wearing an Arabic t-shirt blatantly advertising the fact that he's Arab if he wants to do bad things? Especially given how over-the-edge people are these days?
QUOTE(just_waiting @ Aug 27 2006, 11:57 AM)
... American redundancy at its finest.
It all comes down to money, not responsibility. They'd rather lose one customer then the herd of bleeting nincompoops that think a man wearing a t-shirt with Arabic script on it is a terrorist.
Can we examine one thing? Aren't terrorists on airplanes trying to be SNEAKY??? Why would an Arab terrorist walk onto an airplane wearing an Arabic t-shirt blatantly advertising the fact that he's Arab if he wants to do bad things? Especially given how over-the-edge people are these days?
that was the sneaky part, Jean... he was trying to make ppl think he was an innocent arab-american... for all the nincompoops knew, that was hebrew on his shirt!
Bet they wouldn't have had a translator for that either. How much u wanna bet nobody would have had any complaints if that shirt were in spanish, french, italian, or even german???? 
My two year old granddaughter has a t-shirt with arabic writing......I knew she was up to something
QUOTE(iceyspots @ Aug 22 2006, 12:45 PM)
QUOTE(vartan @ Aug 22 2006, 01:37 PM)
QUOTE
Should I leave my quran and my other arabic language books behind when I take a flight because someone is offended by the sight of arabic and they don't have anyone to translate what it says? Hell no.
People have to take down nativity scenes because it offends people on christmas..
People have to take crosses off becase people are offended..
My friend had to remove a shirt because he had an anti swastika on it..
My dad got asked to leave a wedding because he wore his kilt
I was removed from my prom because I wore my kilt
I am sorry its a PC world..
My fiance had to wear a jacket because she was wearing a F C U K shirt..
I don't like this PC crap just like you guys. I think it is horrid.. But sorry if it offends someone you gotta deal with it .. and if you fight it .. you got to deal with the reprecussions..
Being an arab right now .. if I was that guy I would have changed my shirt right away .. its rough times for arabs right now and the last thing you need is to start a scene.. ya know?
QUOTE
they don't have anyone to translate what it says?
That guys shirt had english below it .. "We wont be silent" is a very emotionally charged statement.. ya know what I mean .. what does we wont be silent mean?
It kinda makes you wonder what freedom of speech really means?
if anyone did any of the above, kilts, crosses etc... none of them bother me at all. with the only exception being clothing that has profanity on it in a situation/event where children are involved. I am not a person to be easily offended by what other people believe in or say or think. if I want to wear a head covering because it is my religious belief, that's fine. and for the same reason, I cant say anything about someone who wants to wear the star of david, or christian cross or wiccan symbols.
I think they should stop and question anyone they want to its better safe than sorry.
I dont get insulted when I am stopped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOR ANY REASON
i don't mind if i'm stopped but i DO mind when they make a big fuss over something miniscule... questioning me for 2 hours because i was in jordan for a short while and happened to marry a jordanian while there...treating me like i'm going to bomb the plane when all i want to do is go home....yeah that makes me mad..... questions and a search were fine...if it didn't take 2 hours to go thru and answering the same questions over and over again.....
It was ONLY A STINKING CARROT FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!!!!
her sweetness is at it again http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...st&p=404036
Hmmm I know I clash with some people on views here but wow ..
I think its called civility?
I think its called civility?
QUOTE(vartan @ Aug 27 2006, 09:24 PM)
Hmmm I know I clash with some people on views here but wow ..
I think its called civility?
It is our husbands and fiances she would like to see kept out of the country and you are questioning my civility?
QUOTE(Bosco @ Aug 27 2006, 09:26 PM)
QUOTE(vartan @ Aug 27 2006, 09:24 PM)
Hmmm I know I clash with some people on views here but wow ..
I think its called civility?
It is our husbands and fiances she would like to see kept out of the country and you are questioning my civility?
She would probably like to see you deported as well.
You never know....
No no .. sorry my post was regarding the link to the other thread.. I apologize.. I should have been more specific.. not your civility. Theirs.. The poster on the other thread.
QUOTE(vartan @ Aug 27 2006, 09:28 PM)
No no .. sorry my post was regarding the link to the other thread.. I apologize.. I should have been more specific.. not your civility. Theirs.. The poster on the other thread.
Thank you for clarifying.
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